Deuteronomy 27:3
And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.
After crossing the Jordan, as Israel entered the land promised to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they were to write all the words of the law. The writing was to be upon plastered, prepared stones or rock, done plainly and publicly as a memorial where all could read it, preserving the law as the people took possession of the land. The inscribed law included the Ten Commandments together with the other laws Moses had received and recorded. The command is also described as writing all the words of the law in a book and setting up a raised place where Moses would stand to proclaim the words of the book.
The writing showed particular care for forgetful Israel by giving exact directions, to keep the commands and the promised gift before the people, to make them familiar with the words, to keep the law before mind and heart and character, to remind them of the victories set before them, and to keep them aware that God and angels were watching. Before taking possession of the inheritance the people were to gather for solemn recognition of the law and renewal of covenant loyalty. The writing was joined to a repetition from the mount of blessings and the mount of curses setting before them the advantages of blessing and the disadvantages of cursing, so the covenant conditions were clear and all could accept its terms and assent to blessing for obedience or curse for neglect.
The altar beside the monument on Mount Ebal, where the curse was pronounced, showed that transgression deserved God's wrath, while the sacrifices represented Christ's atonement through which that judgment would be stayed. The directions, stated plainly together with Deuteronomy 26 and 28, express the principles of the law of God's kingdom made specific and plain so minds are left in no ignorance or uncertainty. The voice speaking them was Jesus Christ enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, uttering them with His own voice lest they be forgotten.
They were given as precautions and practical demonstrations that obedience to God's commandments is for present and future good, bringing prosperity, while disobedience brings a curse. They lay a never-ceasing, binding obligation on all whom God blesses with life, health, and temporal and spiritual advantages, whose importance does not fade with age. When the Lord specially favors His people He expects public acknowledgment so His name is glorified as testimony that His Word is verity and truth. Keeping the law before the people meant constant proclaiming at almost every stopping place so they would not forget, with children taught to repeat the commandments in order as they marched, with the destruction that fell on the disobedient also repeated, with transgressors in sin and quarreling named and, if unrepentant, punished with death.