Joshua 8:30–35
30 Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,
31 Just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no one had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings.
32 And he wrote there on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel.
33 And all Israel with their elders, officers, and their judges were standing on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as the native. Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at first to bless the people of Israel.
34 Then afterward he read all the words of the Law, the blessing and the curse, according to everything that is written in the Book of the Law.
35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.
Renewal of the Covenant at Mount Ebal
Altar
Mount Ebal is located in the hill country of Ephraim. Now it was evident that Israel had established control of the hill country. There, Joshua built an altar for the Lord. (1) This altar was of uncut stones without any usage of iron tools. This was according to the commandment of Exodus 20:25. (2) On the altar, a burnt offering and a fellowship offering were offered. This was according to the commandment of Exodus 20:24. (3) In Exodus Chapter 20, Sinai Covenant was given to Israel. In today’s passage, Joshua does the same to remind Israel that they are a nation in Sinai Covenant with the Lord.
The Law
Next, Joshua wrote a copy of the Mosaic Law on the stones in the presence of the Israelites. The reason was to read the Mosaic Law, the clause of the Sinai Covenant, to the people and make them aware of their position in relation to the Lord. (1) Both the Israelites and the Gentiles were gathered. (2) The priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood ahead of all people. (3) The Israelites stood on both sides of the ark, half on one side and another half on the other, which means that the twelve tribes were split into two groups: six tribes on each side. (4) The first half was in front of Mount Gerizim, and the other half was in front of Mount Ebal. Then the blessings were read on Mount Gerizim, and the curses were read on Mount Ebal (ref. Deut. 11:29). (5) Joshua read both the blessings and the curses from the Law and blessed the Israelites.
The first thing Joshua did after conquering central Canaan was to affirm the Sinai Covenant. This covenant instilled self-awareness in Israel and made clear to them the philosophy and the direction of building up the nation. It is critical to have a philosophy even for us in the New Testament times, a philosophy based on the “New Covenant,” which is a covenant far better than the Sinai covenant. As we live our earthly lives, we are given the citizenship of heaven. Let us continue our walk looking forth to the kingdom of heaven.
Today's prayer
God the Father of Jesus Christ, through the blood of Jesus, we have been forgiven of our sins and invited into a new covenant. May I move through this day mindful of my heavenly citizenship. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.