PLASTERED – NEWSPAPER ARTICLE FOR 2/24/21

        Since the 1950’s the inside walls of houses have often been finished to a very smooth surface by tradesmen called “plasterers”.  It is said that many of these tradesmen had a reputation for heavy drinking, and once they were paid, they would not show up for work again until the money was spent.  In the 1700’s and 1800’s, plaster contained gypsum mixed with water, but due to the water often being unsanitary, stale beer was used instead.   For one or both of these reasons, a person who became very drunk was often said to be “plastered”.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us in Deuteronomy 27 the people of Israel were told to gather up twelve large stones when they crossed the Jordan River on their way into the Promised Land.  The number twelve was ordered because there were twelve tribes that made up the nation of Israel.  The stones were large so that the many commandments of God could be written on them, including the Ten Commandments.  They were told to plaster the stones in order to create a smooth surface where the command-ments could be written, as well as a white background for them.  It was similar to the process of whitewashing stones to make them look clean.

        The purpose of writing the commandments on these stones was to be a reminder to the people whenever they passed by the stones to faithfully keep the commandments.  Furthermore, the commandments were to be written down so as to avoid any confusion about what the commandments actually said.  Israel had no earthly king at first because God was their King, and they were not like the lands around them.  Eventually, they demanded a king so that they could be like the nations around them.  Up until that time, spiritual matters were to be judged by their priests, and civil matters were to be judged by individuals appointed as judges.

        The stones inscribed with the commandments of God were set up in a mountain in the center of the Promised Land just to the north of the city of Shechem.  Shechem was where God first appeared to Abraham and where Abraham built his first altar to the Lord.  From this mountain selected tribes read the curses that would fall on those who failed to keep the command-ments of God.  On a mountain opposite this mountain was another one on which the blessings for keeping the commandments of God were recorded.

Because Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land, their new leader Joshua was responsible for setting up these stones and having the commandments recorded on them, along with the blessings and the curses.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.