Main Verse: Joshua 8

Good morning!

After the defeat of Ai, The Israelites set up camp between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim which are located on Israel’s West Bank near the city of Nablus (MT Ebal). Joshua then etched into two rock tablets a copy of the law of Moses and built an altar. The nation was divided into two camps with six tribes stationed in front of MT Gerizim and six in front of MT Ebal. After which, Joshua read the entire law word-for-word. After each of the laws was read, representatives of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin would stand on Mount Gerizim would say, “Blessed is he who …” and the nation would reply with “Amen” The representatives of  MT Ebal would say, “Cursed is he who …” (Deuteronomy 27-33) and the people would reply with “Amen”; the purpose of this exercise was for the people to hear and affirm the law and the consequences.

AI was the third stop in Israel’s journey (please open the link to see the map). The Bible does not tell us why MT Gerizim and MT Ebal were selected to recite the law except for the point that these two ranges were the highest mountains in the region and it would enable the people to hear the echoes from the priests; coupled with this point, Gerizim was where Noah descended after the flood; in Samaritan tradition, Gerizim is more Holy than the Temple in Jerusalem (Gerizim). These laws that Joshua so carefully read were written so that the nation would know and observe God’s laws so that they would remain in the land (Deuteronomy 4:36-40). Fortunately, we do not have to memorize 101 laws, we only have two Great Commandments that we are admonished to honor at all times (Matthew 22:38-40); while we are not under the curse of the law but under grace, these two Great Commandments still serve as guiding principles to base our lives and ministry on; Just as there were two sides to the Mosaic law (blessings and curses) it naturally follows that there are also two sides to the Great Commandments. My encouragement for you today, and I apologize for such a lengthy post, is that you will consider the two sides of the law that your life and ministry will be blessed, and that it will be said of you too, “This one was born here” (Psalm 87:1).

I.H.S. MK

Father,

Your laws were written not that we would live under slavery but that we might live for you. Your laws are difficult and not beyond our capacity to understand because they are simple (1 John 5:1-4). Those who have lived and walked under the admonition of the Lord may have been martyred but they did not live a defeated life. I pray for my family today and for those on my prayer list that Lord you will watch over them and keep them today. I pray for those in need of a special touch from you that you will bless them. For those enduring extreme issues, I pray that You will send help from Your sanctuary (Psalm 20:1-9).

In Jesus’ name