1.1.2 Affirmation of Leadership:

• When the Ark of the Covenant was returned to its rightful place, King David read a Psalm he wrote to praise God, and the people affirmed his (David’s) Declaration with an “Amen” – 1Chronicles 16:36 (KJV) “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD” (also Psalm 106:48). The “Amen” of the children of Israel affirmed the action of King David and the rule of the LORD in their midst.
• When David hands over the Rulership of the Kingdom to his (David’s) Son, Solomon, Benaiah, one of the military Leaders made a declaration of “Amen” in agreement – 1Kings 1:36 (KJV) “And Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada, answered the King, and said, Amen; the LORD God of my lord, the King, say so.” Benaiah, as the Leader of the Military, is affirming that he will back the reign of King Solomon.

“Amen” is an affirmation of what is transpiring: it affirms that – We are together. We support what Leadership is calling us to do.

1.1.3. Affirmation of Correction:

• Nehemiah (in chapter 5) steps in to deal with the injustice of exploitation of the poor by their rich Nobles. In response the whole Assembly agreed to Nehemiah’s Directive by an “Amen!” and “Praise the LORD” (Nehemiah 5:13).
• Apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy, in which he uses, the affirmation “Amen” five times (1Timothy 1:17; 6:16; 6:21; 2Timothy 4:18; 4:22) to guide his son, Timothy in Doctrinal Matters. The affirmation to Correction with an “Amen” is the acknowledgement that God’s Word is correct.

1.1.4. Affirmation of God’s Word:

• Nehemiah 8:6, when the Scroll of the Law was opened after many years, the people expressed reverence and affirmation by “Amen” – Nehemiah 8:5a, 6 (NIV) “Ezra opened the book…….And Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded Amen! Amen! Then they bowed down and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
• The 150 Psalms is divided into Five Books. Each Book ends with “Amen” except Book 5:
  • Book 1 – Psalm 1 to Psalm 41 – “Ends with a benediction and a double “Amen and Amen” (Psalm 41:13).
  • Book 2 – Psalm 42 to Psalm 72 – “Ends with a benediction and a double “Amen and Amen” (Psalm 72:19).
  • Book 3 – Psalm 73 to Psalm 89 – “Ends with a benediction and a double “Amen and Amen”
  • Book 4 – Psalm 90 to Psalm 106 – “Ends with benediction, an “Amen” and a Hallelujah” (Psalm 106:48).
  • Book 5 – Psalm 107 to Psalm 150 – “Ends with a call to Praise and a “Hallelujah” (Psalm 150:6).

1.2 The Mosaic Covenant

In the Books of Numbers and Deuteronomy, “Amen” is used 14 times, 12 times of which occur in Deuteronomy 27:15-26. Strangely, this passage relates to curses (chastening) that will befall the Children of Israel who act in ways detrimental to the community. As the Leaders of the Nation of Israel read these curses (chastening), they were not predicting what would happen if the people disobeyed God. They were calling upon the LORD to send these curses (chastening) on His people if they turned away from Him. These curses (chastening) were closely related to the Law Moses had delivered and explained, especially the Ten Commandments:

1.2.1 The First Curse (Chastening)

Deuteronomy 27:15 (KJV) “Cursed be the man who maketh any carved or melted image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.” – Condemned idolatry and the violation of the First and Second Commandment (Exodus 20:1-6). To carve or cast an idol and worship it is to deny that Jehovah (The LORD) is the One True and Living God, and it is this sin that finally brought God’s Wrath on Israel. Even if a Jew worshipped an idol in secret and did not try to persuade others to join him, it was still a great sin and had to be punished (Deuteronomy chapter 13).

1.2.2 The Second Curse (Chastening)

Deuteronomy (KJV) 27:16 “Cursed be he who setteth light by (dishonoureth) his father and his mother. And all the people say, Amen.” The Second curse (chastening) relates to the family and home (Exodus 20:12). This answers to the Fifth Commandment.

1.2.3 The Third Curse (Chastening)

Deuteronomy 27:17 (KJV) “Cursed be he who removeth his neighbour’s landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.” This deals with Encroachment of Property (Deuteronomy 19:14; Exodus 20:15). This answers to the Eighth Commandment.

1.2.4 The Fourth Curse (Chastening)

Deuteronomy 27:18 (KJV) “Cursed be he who maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.” This reveals God’s special concern for people with disabilities. Leviticus 19:14 mentions both the deaf and the blind. An Individual/Nation who mistreated the people with disabilities would be judged by God.

1.2.5 The Fifth Curse (Chastening)

Deuteronomy 27:19 (KJV) “Cursed be he who perverteth the justice due the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.” The focus is on treating with kindness and justice the helpless and unfortunate in the Land. Widows, Orphans, and Strangers – God called on His people (Israel) to champion the care and welfare of the Widows, Orphans and Strangers cause and see that they received justice (Deuteronomy 24:17,18; Exodus 22:21-24; Luke 18:1-8). Israel had been Strangers in Egypt for 400 years and the LORD had cared for Israel and judged the people, in Egypt, who abused them. If Israel does not care for the needy (Widows, Orphans & Strangers), God would also judge them. Among other things, this involves bringing their special tithes to the LORD every third year so the needy (Widows, Orphans, and Strangers) would have their needs met (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

To be continued….. Stay Tuned…..

• Amen