Joshua Leads The People to Shechem

Joshua 8:30–35
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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.