Deuteronomy 27 MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS It has been a practice since the dim and distant past of human history right down to this present day, that monuments have been raised to commemorate important events of people that have changed the course of a nation. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on the reason and the person being honored. The tower of Babel was a bad thing because its purpose was to exalt man to the position of God. The one Moses commanded the children of Israel to make was a good thing. When children would ask their parents, "Why is this big pile of stones here?" the parents would tell them about their journey from Egypt when they were young, and about living in the wilderness and crossing the Jordan River into the promised land. But most importantly was the fact that this pile of stones was plastered over and there was writing on it. The words of the law were written plainly on the plaster so the people could read what God had commanded. The standard of righteousness God expected of them was right there in the open before their eyes. There was no excuse for anyone to say they didn't know the words of the law. Our children have the opportunity to read the Word of God for themselves, but they won't do it unless they are taught the value of what we have in the scriptures. By nature, they will have no interest in divine things until they see the value of them in the lives of believers. A casual approach to God's Word and spiritual things will leave the impression to our children that these are not very important. Even a careless reading of the scripture means it is not more important than any other book.
The monument that was to be raised in the promised land was made of stones that were not cut by human hands. The Israelites would have been used to cutting stones for pyramids and the buildings in Egypt to make them pleasing to human eyes and a tribute to mans' ingenuity. This monument was to be a testimony to the people of the holiness and righteousness of God. Egyptian buildings had faces and forms of men and animals on them. This monument had the wisdom and authority of God written on it in readable words. Faces, forms and images have a tendency to humanize or even demonize spiritual things. The written word of God lifts spiritual truths above human wisdom that speaks to the senses, and reaches to the mind and heart where the real person can act with understanding by believing what God has said. God wanted the stones of the monument to be left the way He made them without the sin-polluted effect of mans' works. The plaster men put over these stones was only to make the writing of God's word unmistakably plain.
Beside the monument that was raised, an altar was built out of uncut stones for the children of Israel to offer their sacrifices of worship and fellowship. The large monument had the written words of God to man on it, and the altar made of similar stones was for men to give their response to God. When God speaks to us, He makes His will unmistakably clear in His written word. When we speak to God and give Him our offerings of praise, worship, thanksgiving and fellowship, He knows exactly what we mean. He knows the "thoughts and intents" of our hearts. Our actions and words need to be consistent with His revealed will. Watching this is a new generation of people to whom all of this is new. The joy that results from our fellowship with God is one of the ways the younger people will learn the value of hearing God's word and worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
As a new generation of believers comes to take responsibility of the things of God in public testimony, it is important that we give them sound reasons for doing God's things in God's way. Each individual has to decide whether they are going to follow the Word of God or not, and to what extent are they going to take His truth literally. It is incumbent on those who are older to give warnings about the facts of righteous living according to God's word. There are curses put on those who won't listen to what God says and act upon it. Idols are always detestable to God even if they are kept secret from other people. Our attitude toward our parents is always to be honorable. If we don't give them due honor and respect there is a curse from God on the offender. The property of the neighbor is to be respected; the infirm are to be helped not mocked or hindered. Justice is to be fair for everyone no matter who they are or where they are from. Any immoral action, from adultery to murder is condemned by God. The law of God is to be maintained. Any wrong doing toward others has serious consequences that we cannot avoid.
The truth of God is not only negative, but there are blessings associated with doing what God wants. The people had to hear both sides and had to verbally agree with what God's commandments stated. Blessing comes with obedience and cursing comes with disobedience. The memorial service of consecration was something in which everyone participated audibly. By saying, "Amen" to each statement made, they took responsibility for carrying out the actions that were right and refusing every one that was wrong. Restrictions in families, assemblies and governments are intended to be a warning act of love to keep God's people away from the danger of wrong-doing.
When we know what God commands from His written word, and respond with thanksgiving and worship, our children and the generation of which they are a part will know that God does not change from one generation to another. That in itself is a form of security in that the boundaries for right and wrong living are clearly defined. Their audible response will indicate they know what God intends and they understand the consequences of disobeying what is clearly taught. The incentive to follow God's word is that blessings are promised in the future and we will experience peace inwardly even though there may turmoil in the world around us.