Then Joshua
built an altar to the Lord, the God of
Israel, on Mount Ebal. He followed
the commands that Moses the Lord’s servant had
written in the Book of Instruction: “Make me an
altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” Then on the altar they presented burnt offerings and peace
offerings to the Lord. And as the
Israelites watched, Joshua copied onto the stones of the altar the instructions Moses had given them. Then all the Israelites—foreigners and
native-born alike—along with the elders, officers, and judges, were divided
into two groups. One group
stood in front of Mount Gerizim, the other in front of Mount Ebal. Each group faced the other, and between
them stood the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant. This was all done according to the commands
that Moses, the servant of the Lord, had
previously given for blessing the people of Israel. Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses
had written in the Book of Instruction. Every word of
every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of
Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among
them. Joshua 8:30-35 (NLT)
I’ve attended some long worship services, but nothing like this
one. Joshua read the entire Book of the
Law (Genesis thru Deuteronomy) in one sitting…well, more accurately, one standing. Reading aloud at normal speed it would take
about 7 or 8 hours to read through the first five books of the Bible. That had to be one “pooped preacher” by the
end of the day!
And what of the
people? There were no padded pews, no
soft rocks upon which to nod-off at appropriate intervals.
But this was not an
ordinary gathering.
Previously Israel’s
warriors had gotten creamed because God’s instructions had been ignored. The little village of Ai had demolished the
Israelite army due to one soldier’s greed.
This worship gathering was after that soldier was dealt-with, and then
Ai defeated.
God’s people were
now gathered to re-focus everything on serving God…in God’s way. Joshua read all the history and “begats” of
Genesis, all the drama of Exodus, all the law of Leviticus, all the repetition
of Numbers and he read every command of Deuteronomy.
Why?
If you skip ahead
to the next chapter you find that the travelling nation of Israel was about to
face a coalition of armies from the whole region. It was to be their stiffest test of faith
yet. They needed to hear
from heaven!
Our lesson:
When you’re going up against the enemy, get your God-focus right!
For You, Today…
The
truth is you ARE going to face the enemy this (and every) day!
So
answer the question before the sleep is cleared from your eyes; have I got my God-focus
today?
The
Word of God – don’t leave home without it!
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