Joshua 8:30-35 God’s promises are obtained through obedience

Joshua 8:30-35 

30 Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal, 31 just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32 He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel. 33 All Israel with their elders and officers and their judges were standing on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as the native. Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had given command at first to bless the people of Israel. 34 Then afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, 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 and the little ones and the strangers who were living among them.

Background

The erecting of the altar at Mount Ebal was significant in that it reminded the people of the altar Abraham built at Shechem. It was there that God promised Abraham, “To your descendants I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7). After the victory at Ai, it was timely to renew God’s covenant with the people under the leadership of Joshua. Today’s passage teaches our generation to be diligent in working out God’s promises through obedience. In doing so, we will secure God’s blessings for our generation and for the generations to come.

Observation

Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal …

After the victory at Ai, the Israelites performed a solemn ceremony by building an altar, which was customary after every significant event. By building an altar at Mount Ebal, it reminded the Israelites of the altar their father Abraham built at Shechem when God appeared to him saying, “To your descendants I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7). Back then, Abraham’s descendants were “strangers and sojourners” in the land of promise. This altar at Mount Ebal was significant in that the promise made to Abraham had now been realized.

However, it also invoked a bittersweet feeling of the price of disobedience that deprived Moses’ generation their entry into Canaan; if not for their disobedience, the altar at Mount Ebal could have been erected in their presence.

He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses …

Part of the ceremony involved renewing the covenant by offering burnt and sacrificial peace offerings followed by writing a copy of the Law of Moses on stones in the presence of the ark of covenant. The Law of Moses consisted of the Ten Commandments and the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy 28. The ceremony at Mount Ebal was also the final phase of Joshua’s formal succession to the office as leader of Israel. Moses, as leader of Israel when he presented the law to the people on stones (see Exodus 34), sets the pattern of things to come. The leader of the nation is the guardian of God’s law and he must also be found impeccable in all his ways. Joshua, by writing the law on stones took up the responsibility of maintaining justice, mercy and the worship of God in all Israel.

Then afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse …

The words of the law that included the Ten Commandments, the blessing and the curse were read out to all the people. In essence, Joshua was reading the very same words that were previously read by Moses, his predecessor. This was significant in that the truth of God’s Word have to be shed abroad and from generations to generations. The people of God were themselves the carriers and heirs of the truths of the kingdom. And it is through the dispersion and resettlement of God’s people that the gospel is spread.

Truth

Although God is faithful to deliver on His promises, the onus is on believers to obtain the promises through obedience. The altar that was erected at Mount Ebal testified to the faithfulness of God towards Israel. Even as believers are fully assured of God’s promises coming to pass, it remains that many of them may not see it in their lifetime. The Israelites that came out from Egypt, all heard for themselves concerning the Promised Land. But the entire generation failed to enter in because they disobeyed God. Therefore, the onus is upon each present generation to obtain for themselves the promised blessing through obedience. Many churchgoers although well acquainted with God’s promises failed to realize them in their lifetime. They have a gross misunderstanding supposing God’s promises will be realized through their prayers regardless of their actions and mindset. Therefore, they continue to love the world while being absorbed in the cares of life. These are in fact cultural Christians but never disciples and followers of Christ. They attend weekly church services, but do not read the word nor connect with God daily. They are more mindful of the instructions of their managers than the instructions of God. Unless and until believers unite in taking the commands of God seriously and with exigency, they may not obtain the blessing.

All leaders are accountable to God for all that had happened during their tenure. Hence, leaders must play the roles of model and teacher in helping their family and organization grow in the values of the kingdom. When Moses delivered the law of God carved in stones, he made all future leaders responsible in exemplifying and teaching the law. Joshua was not exempted from this sacred task, for by his own hand he cast the law in stone. God will hold pastors, parents and leaders of organizations responsible for all that had happened during their tenure; they cannot under any circumstances absolve themselves from it. Many leaders lost their credibility to lead because they selectively obeyed the truth. And they mislead the next generation by justifying their wrongdoings.

Therefore, husbands and wives must make sure that their children read the word and honor God in all their endeavors. Pastors must teach the word honestly and accurately knowing they will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Leaders of organizations must manage with integrity, putting the organization’s interest before themselves, and rewarding workers for their work well done and not for self-serving purposes.

The Gospel message carries with it a blessing and a curse. Joshua’s message to the people included not only the Ten Commandments, but also the consequence of obedience and disobedience, which is blessing and curse respectively. Some churches in order to appeal to non-believers played down the consequences of rejecting Christ as Lord. Hence, they taught Christ as being the Savior making no mention of Him as Lord and Judge. All people (believers and non-believers alike) will be judged according to their works and the posture of their hearts (see Romans 2:6). Joshua by reading the law that included blessing and curse reminded the people of the consequence of disobedience. The author of Hebrews taught that if the law of Moses demanded death for disobedience, how much worse punishment… will be deserved by the one, the unrepentant sinner who broke the covenant that was ratified by Christ’s blood.

Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace. Hebrews 10:28-29

Therefore, as believers of Christ, we must never go back to the ways of bondage and sin having made a covenant with Christ. Knowing that the gospel carries the message of blessing and condemnation, we must continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Jesus warned of the consequence of judgment for those who did not receive His message of repentance,

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:18

All that Christ required of sinners is the willingness to turn away from self-centered living by acknowledging Him as the Master of their lives. Salvation is obtained simply by letting God be God.

Application

1. Do you approach God’s commands with little urgency unless compelled by external circumstances? Our lack of urgency may well be a form of disobedience towards God. What is holding you back from loving God with all your heart?
2. Are you actively setting an example for those who are put under your charge? You may be a parent, a pastor or a manager in your company. Do you teach others while breaking your own rules? Do you supposed by your authority you are entitled to a privileged position and be exempted from the rules? The apostle James warned leaders and teachers of a stricter judgment to come:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1

Dear Lord, I understand that the gospel carries a reward for obedience and judgment for disobedience. By your Spirit, enable me to do your will so that I may obtain the promised blessing. Use me in my capacity as a leader to exemplify and to inspire others towards obtaining the promise. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.