Deuteronomy 27:11-26--When “Maybe” isn't the answer.

Deuteronomy 27:11-26 (NKJV) Curses Pronounced from Mount Ebal 11 And Moses commanded the people on the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin; 13 and these shall stand on Mount Ebal to curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 “And the Levites shall speak with a loud voice and say to all the men of Israel: 15 ‘Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ “And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen!’ 16 ‘Cursed is the one who treats his father or his mother with contempt.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 17 ‘Cursed is the one who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 18 ‘Cursed is the one who makes the blind to wander off the road.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 19 ‘Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 20 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s bed.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 21 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with any kind of animal.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 22 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 23 ‘Cursed is the one who lies with his mother-in-law.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 24 ‘Cursed is the one who attacks his neighbor secretly.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 25 ‘Cursed is the one who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ 26 ‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law by observing them.’ “And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’     When “Maybe” isn't the answer. Some parents have their children repeat instructions after them to assure that there is no misunderstanding. It is difficult to say “I thought you meant...” when you have confirmed and agreed. Some parents have different levels of agreement, such as “yes”, “no” and “maybe”. Whenever my earthly father wasn't ready to say “yes”, I prayed he would say “maybe” because there was still room to negotiate. When he said “yes” he always kept his promise, but when he said “no”, that was the end of that. He also liked to have me repeat instructions to make sure that we had clarity. He wasn't always easy, but he was always fair. When God gave His people these instructions He had them to affirm both understanding and agreement of each point before they moved on to the next. There was no room to say “I thought you meant...”   Father, God, there are so many wonderful promises in Your Word, but there are also instructions for living. I pray wisdom to heed Your instructions with the same zeal that I hold on to Your promises.   I thank you in all things. May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!