Thursday, March 28, 2019

Strangers in the Land: Ger 32

Deuteronomy 27:14-19

[Parts related to ger in bold]

“And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 
‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ 
“And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’ 
‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ 
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 
 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ 
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 
‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’ 
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 
‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the ger, the fatherless, and widow.’ 
“And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’
What Does It Say?

This section of chapter 27 is, as you can see, a list of curses that all of the men of Israel are expected to ratify by shouting "Amen!" In essence, they are cursing themselves and their posterity if they should perform these evil actions.

I haven't included the entirety of the curses, but ones not listed above include incest, assassination, bestiality, and other unthinkably evil things. And while the last curse is on those who do not abide by all of the law, this list shows the items worth bringing particular attention to.

The inclusion of a curse on those who pervert the justice due to the ger (and the fatherless and widow) shows that the laws on ger are not purely civil. There is also a religious cursing - calling down the judgement of God - on any who do this evil thing. It is as high of a moral law as not worshiping idols and not raping your own daughter.

Next: Deuteronomy 28

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