Curses!

Against superstition, greed, lust, and violence.

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don’t know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it “really” means.. Let’s see where this takes us!

Deuteronomy 27

I’m reading Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

In decades of attending a traditional Christian church, I rarely encountered the curses of Deuteronomy 27.

The curse against those who make idols is not surprising; much of what we’ve read since Exodus is a condemnation of worshiping the material world, which is what idolatry does.

The curse against those who dishonor their father and mother is also not surprising. We must respect those who brought us into being.

Curses against those who move a neighbor’s boundary marker, mislead the blind, and deprive the lowly of justice are consistent with what’s already been mentioned in Deuteronomy.

The curses against those who engage in certain kinds of sexual relationships are consistent with what the Bible so far has said about sperm. The LORD seems to hold it sacred.