Slices
Prepare
‘The Law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul… more precious than gold, than much pure gold’ (Psalm 19:7,10). In a world of competing opinions, give thanks that God’s Word brings truth and life.
Bible passage
The covenant renewed at Mount Ebal
30 Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, 31 as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses – an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings. 32 There, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on stones a copy of the law of Moses. 33 All the Israelites, with their elders, officials and judges, were standing on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the Lord, facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Both the foreigners living among them and the native-born were there. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had formerly commanded when he gave instructions to bless the people of Israel.
34 Afterwards, Joshua read all the words of the law – the blessings and the curses – just as it is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Explore
At the theological college where I teach, the annual graduation is a grand event. Academic successes are celebrated. Future ministries are announced. People gather to witness the milestones that have been achieved.
The gathering in the valley near Mount Ebal was such a milestone event for the people of Israel. Having secured the territory surrounding Jericho and Ai, Joshua moves north to the centre of Canaan. The location is significant. It is the where the Lord appeared to Abraham and gave his promise of a land (Genesis 12:6,7).
Note the actions of Joshua. He builds (v 30), writes (v 32), and reads (v 34). Joshua fulfils what Moses had commanded prior to Israel entering the land (Deuteronomy 27:1–8). The people are reminded of their identity. They are God’s holy and distinctive people, who live according to his word.
And who participates in this ceremony? Not just Israel but ‘foreigners’ (vs 33,35). How amazing! God’s plan to bless the nations (Genesis 12:3) is under way.
Respond
Reflect that as part of the local church, ‘You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…’ (1 Peter 2:9, NIV). Pray for its life and witness ‘that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’
Deeper Bible study
‘I urge you … in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.’1
Imagine you are watching Joshua as a war movie. We have had the triumph at Jericho, the reversal at Ai followed by the dramatic execution of Achan and then the clever strategy of Joshua leading to victory over Ai – and now the scene changes to … a worship service. It is a reminder that, for the writer, Joshua is not primarily about a military campaign or conquering territory but about Israel’s relationship with God.2 Thus, for the people to renew their covenant with God was entirely appropriate. That the location of the ceremony was at Mount Ebal, close to Shechem, was not without significance, since it was there that Abraham had first received the promise of the land and where Jacob had settled.3 For the writer, this is the climax of the events of chapters 7 and 8, as Israel starts her new life in the land, showing that ‘Trouble Valley could become Hope’s Door for every generation’.4
Joshua was not only reminding the Israelites of the true nature of the conquest but calling them publicly to renew their covenant with God and to accept the conditions that the covenant entailed. Some churches have a covenant service at the beginning of the year. That can help, encourage and challenge us. For Israel, renewing the covenant shortly after Achan’s covenant violation5 added poignancy. Israel had learned the hard way not to take God’s presence for granted. The burnt offering, which was wholly consumed, was a symbol of the people giving their whole selves to God, just as Paul wrote that we should do.6 We can also see the burnt offering prefiguring the death of Jesus, which deals with sin and re-establishes the covenant relationship between us and God.
In a society that encourages self-reliance, humility is counter-intuitive. How do we learn to recognise and be grateful for God’s grace and mercy?
1 Rom 12:1 2 The movie idea is from Davis, 2000, p71 3 Gen 12,33 4 EJ Hamlin, Joshua: Inheriting the Land, 1983, p69 5 Josh 7:11 6 Rom 12:1
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 20–22; Proverbs 29,30
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray that God will encourage churches of all kinds to work together more closely so that more children and young people that aren’t in church get to hear the message of Jesus.
