Covenant Renewal and Covenant Curse: Structurally, we are moving into the second half of the “inner frame.” Chapter 27 balances chapter 11, thus functioning as a framework for the detailed legislation in chapters 12–25. This is clear not only from the reference in both chapters to the ceremony at Mt. Ebal but also from the emphasis in both on covenant choice and commitment.

27:1–8  The first point in these verses is the permanence of the law. If the covenant is to endure through the generations, then the covenant law must be properly preserved in a permanent way that can function as a regular reminder of the obligations the people had undertaken. This may also be the reason for the otherwise unusual addition of the elders of Israel (v. 1) and of the priests, who are Levites (v. 9) to Moses.…