30 Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal, 31as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32 And there, in the presence of the children of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. 33 Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and judges, stood on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as he who was born among them. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 34 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. 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.
Devotional
Joshua in obeying the commandment of the Lord now builds an altar on stones which no man has wielded any iron tool too. And as Moses wrote a copy of the Law on stones, so here Joshua in the presence of the children of Israel does the same in fulfillment of the Word of God (vs. 32). This is the precursor act before the six tribes stand on mount Gerizim too pronounce the blessings in the Law; while six tribes would also stand on Mount Ebal too pronounce its curses for disobeying the Law (Deut. 11:26-32; vs. 29; 27:1-7). And having done so Joshua now reads the entire Law before the whole assembly of the Lord, (now this important). Not a word does he omit as the Law is read before all Israel; before the women, before the children and even before the strangers dwelling amongst them. Everything within God's Word is read. Therefore when we preach or read from the Scriptures there is nothing that should not be read before the whole congregation, and or those who are visiting amongst us. No allowances then should be made to make the Scriptures "politically correct" for anyone or any group. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Heb 4:12-13 Therefore we must always and continually resist every thought, notion, or word which would say, maybe that's not an appropriate time for that passage. God's Word is Holy and as long as it is used appropriately it is always just and right and sound too expound any part of it, at anytime, to anyone. Therefore we must never consciously pass over any passage or part within in it. For we are as Christ's witnesses and servants charged to fill the earth with the knowledge of God's Word as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:13-14). So that both His salvation and God's righteous decrees might be made known too all (Isaiah 26:9). And so let us all who believe in the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus His Holy Word be faithful in doing just that.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Devotional
Joshua in obeying the commandment of the Lord now builds an altar on stones which no man has wielded any iron tool too. And as Moses wrote a copy of the Law on stones, so here Joshua in the presence of the children of Israel does the same in fulfillment of the Word of God (vs. 32). This is the precursor act before the six tribes stand on mount Gerizim too pronounce the blessings in the Law; while six tribes would also stand on Mount Ebal too pronounce its curses for disobeying the Law (Deut. 11:26-32; vs. 29; 27:1-7). And having done so Joshua now reads the entire Law before the whole assembly of the Lord, (now this important). Not a word does he omit as the Law is read before all Israel; before the women, before the children and even before the strangers dwelling amongst them. Everything within God's Word is read. Therefore when we preach or read from the Scriptures there is nothing that should not be read before the whole congregation, and or those who are visiting amongst us. No allowances then should be made to make the Scriptures "politically correct" for anyone or any group. "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Heb 4:12-13 Therefore we must always and continually resist every thought, notion, or word which would say, maybe that's not an appropriate time for that passage. God's Word is Holy and as long as it is used appropriately it is always just and right and sound too expound any part of it, at anytime, to anyone. Therefore we must never consciously pass over any passage or part within in it. For we are as Christ's witnesses and servants charged to fill the earth with the knowledge of God's Word as the waters cover the sea (Hab 2:13-14). So that both His salvation and God's righteous decrees might be made known too all (Isaiah 26:9). And so let us all who believe in the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus His Holy Word be faithful in doing just that.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
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