271 Then Moses and the elders of Israel charged the people , saying , "Keep all the commandments which I command you today . 2 " So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime 3 and write on them all the words of this law , when you cross over , so that you may enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey , as the Lord , the God of your fathers , promised you. 4 "So it shall be when you cross the Jordan , you shall set up on Mount Ebal , these stones , as I am commanding you today , and you shall coat them with lime . 5 "Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the Lord your God , an altar of stones ; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. 6 "You shall build the altar of the Lord your God of uncut stones , and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the Lord your God ; 7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there , and rejoice before the Lord your God . 8 "You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very distinctly ." 9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel , saying , "Be silent and listen , O Israel ! This day you have become a people for the Lord your God . 10 "You shall therefore obey e the Lord your God , and do His commandments and His statutes which I command you today ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Commentary on Deuteronomy 27:1-10
(Read Deuteronomy 27:1-10)
As soon as they were come into Canaan, they must set up a monument, on which they must write the words of this law. They must set up an altar. The word and prayer must go together. Though they might not, of their own heads, set up any altar besides that at the tabernacle; yet, by the appointment of God, they might, upon special occasion. This altar must be made of unhewn stones, such as they found upon the field. Christ, our Altar, is a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, refused by the builders, as having no form or comeliness, but accepted of God the Father, and made the Head of the corner. In the Old Testament the words of the law are written, with the curse annexed; which would overcome us with horror, if we had not, in the New Testament, an altar erected close by, which gives consolation. Blessed be God, the printed copies of the Scriptures among us, do away the necessity of such methods as were presented to Israel. The end of the gospel ministry is, and the end of preachers ought to be, to make the word of God as plain as possible. Yet, unless the Spirit of God prosper such labours with Divine power, we shall not, even by these means, be made wise unto salvation: for this blessing we should therefore daily and earnestly pray.