Think with me for a moment. What is the most memorable billboard you have ever seen?
After asking the question, I had to spend several minutes to come up with an answer. Since I am the son and brother of attorneys, I get a laugh from the Jungle Law billboards. I doubt if they will ever induce me to use their services, but I see them as clever just the same.
With the Israelites on the Promised Land side of the Jordan River, Joshua used two large stones as billboards to emphasize Israel’s covenant with God.
Before writing on the large stones, he built an altar to the Lord.
Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses,
An altar of unhewn stones, on which no iron tool has been used,” and they offered on it burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed offerings of well-being (Joshua 8:30-31).
Scholars suggest that the altar was a recognition by Joshua and the people of their need for God’s grace and mercy.
The Psalm writer highlighted four of God’s essential characteristics.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky. (Psalm 85:10-11)
Throughout their journey with God, the Israelites experienced God’s steadfast love. He was always faithful to them. God’s dealings with them were always right and He promoted their peace.
Israel could never have made the trip from slavery to the Promised Land without the grace and power of the Lord.
The construction of the altar expressed gratitude for God’s activity in their lives and their desire for His continued assistance.
A Billboard of Stone
Joshua wrote on a billboard of stones a copy of the law.
And there, in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses that he had written (Joshua 8:32).
You’ve likely heard the debate about displaying the Ten Commandments in school rooms. I don’t mind having them in public places because they show God’s guidance for people.
Even better than displaying them, it would be wonderful if our nation’s leaders in business, politics, and religion actually lived by them.
Leaders living by the Ten Commandments would set a great example for our children, plus they would experience blessed lives themselves. The Ten Commandments, along with Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, guide us on how to live well with God and others.
Joshua was correct to display these prominently, and we should also keep them in mind through both our words and actions.
Blessings and Curses
The people of God likely had a long day during this event in their history. They stood on either side of two mountains, reciting the blessings and curses of the covenant.
They also listened to Joshua read the words Moses had commanded. It’s assumed he read from the book of Deuteronomy, even though it’s not explicitly mentioned.
All Israel, alien as well as native-born, with their elders and officers and their judges, stood on opposite sides of the ark in front of the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord,
Half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded earlier, that they should bless the people of Israel.
And afterward he read all the words of the law, blessings and curses, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the aliens who resided among them (Joshua 8:33-35).
It’s often said that having a Bible but not reading it is no different than being unable to read. One of our blessings is having plenty of Bibles available.
We are fortunate to read God’s Word because it guides us in life. It teaches us how to know God better, live in His blessings, and get along with others.
By informing our minds and hearts daily with God’s Word, we will grow closer to Him and improve our relationships with others.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 