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Joshua 8:30–35
“And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law” (Josh. 8:34).
Earlier in Joshua, we saw the Israelites undergoing covenant-related rituals (circumcision and the celebration of the Passover) on the eve of battle. Now, with the battle at Ai just completed, the Israelites pause in their conquest to carry out a ceremony mandated by Moses (Deut. 11, 27) and designed to renew and reaffirm their commitment to the covenant God made with them at Mount Sinai.
The Israelites march some 20 miles to the north of Ai, to the region of Mounts Ebal and Gerizim. This is an important location from Israel’s history, for it was here that Abraham first received God’s promise that he would inherit the land (Gen. 12:6–7; Deut. 11:29–30). Now, Abraham’s descendants return to this spot as the promise is beginning to be fulfilled. Like the patriarch, Joshua constructs an altar, building it of uncut stones as Moses commanded (Deut. 27:5) so that all might know it is not a thing of man but of God. On it the people offer burnt offerings and peace offerings. Joshua then writes out the Ten Commandments, the divinely given summary of the law, on whitewashed stones (Deut. 27:2–4, 8). Thus, the people can see with their eyes the stipulations of the covenant to which they are committed. Next, in an even stranger ritual, the tribes split up, half standing on Mount Ebal and half on Mount Gerizim, with the ark of the covenant in the middle. There follows a recitation of curses and blessings, by which the people submit themselves to the covenant sanctions (Deut. 27:14–28:68). Finally, the ceremony ends with Joshua reading the entire written law of God to all of the people, even children and proselytes. As they have seen the Ten Commandments with their eyes, they now hear all the law with their ears. Thus, they are reminded of their duties under the covenant. Matthew Henry notes that “it was not many weeks since Moses had preached the whole book of Deuteronomy to them, yet Joshua must now read it all over again; it is good to hear twice what God has spoken once (Ps. 62:11).”
These rituals were designed to help Israel keep God’s covenant. To better understand the role of the covenant in the lives of the Israelites—and our own—we will pause in our study of Joshua to spend the next few days working through the subject using Dr. R.C. Sproul’s teaching series The Drama of Redemption.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
It is instructive that the conquest suddenly halts for this important worship event. Unlike the Israelites, we often let worship get squeezed out in our busy lives. But worship should have the priority. Seek God’s face today and always, and ask Him to help you prioritize your many responsibilities so that you always have time for Him.
For Further Study
- Psalm 95:6–7
- Matthew 6:33
- Matthew 14:23
- Colossians 3:1–2