Joshua Leads The People to Shechem
January 4, 2021
Commentary
When Israel was still encamped in Moab, waiting to cross over the Jordan into Canaan, Moses included as part of his last instructions to Joshua that an altar of stones be erected on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:4). Following the victory at Ai, Joshua felt compelled to fulfill Moses’ command. Without delay he led the men, women, children, and their animals from Gilgal northward up the Jordan Valley approximately 30 miles to the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim near Shechem. Between these two mountains, each about 3,000 feet above sea level, lies a lovely valley about two miles wide. It was on Mount Ebal that an altar of sacrifice was to be made from earthen stones (Ex. 20:24-25). The altar was to be unadorned by craftsmanship. Altars with elaborate craftsmanship and elevated platforms with staircases were common in the worship of false deities.
After the altar was erected, half of the people were positioned on Mount Gerizim; the other half on Mount Ebal and the Ark of the Covenant, surrounded by priests, was in the valley between. The large amphitheater made it possible for the people to hear every word. When all the people were in position, Joshua “read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the Law” (v. 34). As the curses of the Law were read, the 6 tribes on Mount Ebal responded, “Amen!” As the blessings were read, the 6 tribes on Mount Gerizim responded. By doing this, all of Israel affirmed that the Law of the Lord was indeed to be the law of the land.
Application
I need to read the Bible daily as a constant reminder of who God is and what I can become.
Joshua 8:30– 35 (NET)
30 Then Joshua built an altar for the Lord God of Israel on Mount Ebal, 31 just as Moses the Lord’s servant had commanded the Israelites. As described in the law scroll of Moses, it was made with uncut stones untouched by an iron tool. On it they offered burnt sacrifices to the Lord and sacrificed tokens of peace. 32 There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a duplicate of the law written by Moses. 33 All the people, rulers, leaders, and judges were standing on either side of the ark, in front of the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. Both resident foreigners and native Israelites were there. Half the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and the other half in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the Lord’s servant had previously instructed them to do for the formal blessing ceremony. 34 Then Joshua read aloud all the words of the law, including the blessings and the curses, just as they are written in the law scroll. 35 Joshua read aloud every commandment Moses had given before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, children, and resident foreigners who lived among them.
Illustration: Marsh When the Christian looks back
Sometimes we as Christians need to stop along life’s road and look back. Here’s how F. E. Marsh described what the Christian can see when he looks back:
The deliverances the Lord has wrought (Deut. 5:15).The way He has led (Deut. 8:2).The blessings He has bestowed (Deut. 32:7-12).The victories He has won (Deut. 11:2-7).The encouragements He has given (Josh. 23:14).When we face difficulties, we sometimes forget God’s past faithfulness. But look back and you will also see the joy of victory, the challenge of the climb, and the presence of your traveling Companion who has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. (Source unknown).