Post by Lee on May 11, 2014 14:22:01 GMT
The Stones
What words of the law are referred to here? It could possibly be the Ten Commandments, or even the blessings and the cursings alluded to later in this chapter. However, it seems more likely that the reference is to the legislative elements of the law, reckoned by the Jews to number six hundred and thirteen legal enactments. This would be the reason why the requirement was for “great” stones with no specified number. Such a method of inscribing laws on stone pillars or obelisks was common practice in the ancient world.
Further detail concerning these stone inscriptions is given in verse 8: “Thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.” The Hebrew word for “plainly” literally means ‘to dig’—by analogy, ‘to engrave’ (Strong). Why is this point emphasised? Surely to ensure that God’s law could easily be read and thus known by Israel. If it was plainly engraved there could be no room for argument. Furthermore, it would ensure longevity—God’s laws could be read over successive generations. Similar inscriptions, so the archaeologists tell us, have been known to last over two thousand years.
Where were these stones to be placed? Verse 4 tells us “in Mount Ebal”—a very appropriate location as we shall consider in a later article. They were intended to be a visible memorial to Israel, ensuring that there could be no argument regarding the detail of God’s law to Israel: they were there—“in black and white” as we would say today—for all to see, throughout all generations.
1994 Christadelphian p383