Scripture Text: Joshua 8:30-35
And afterwards 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.
Joshua 8:34
Joshua fulfilled to renew the covenant done at Shechem (where Abraham had built an altar found in Genesis 12:6-7) per God's instructions to Moses by placing the copies of the new covenant on Mount Ebal and directed Israel's tribes to shout the blessings and shout the curses of the covenant to each other across the valley separating Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim (Deuteronomy 11:29-30, 27:4-13).
Then, Joshua built an altar on Mt. Ebal, where they offered burnt offerings to the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings, and copied the Law of God onto the stones (vv. 30-32). At the foot of Mt. Ebal, the following tribes of Israel shouted the blessings from keeping the law—Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. At the same time, at the foot of Mt. Gerizim, the other half shouted the curses for disobeying the Law—Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. Then Joshua read the entire book of the Law to the people (vv. 33-35).
In this event, Joshua prepared and assured the spirituality of the people because of the existing stronghold in the whole area of Canaan. That was why he encouraged the people, including the sojourners mentioned in vv. 33 & 35, to read the entire book of the Law always as their guide to the right path.
Christians are also sojourners in this present world and we are obliged to follow Christ's covenant—the more we should study His words, the more we should meditate His words, the more we should memorize His words, and the more His words be manifested in us through our actions. If we follow our Lord faithfully, we will receive favors and blessings, but if we can't follow His will, the blessing will be turned into curse.
In this regard, the Apostle Peter urged all the followers of Christ to obey seriously what the Bible says as citizens of heaven:
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul"
1 Peter 2:11
Reflect
1. Do you faithfully obey the covenant of Christ?
2. Are you really under Christ's covenant or not?
Remember
In Christ, we are secured. If we faithfully follow God through Him, no physical nor spiritual destruction will be charged against us. This makes Jesus the Guarantor of a better covenant.
Read
1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 7:22; Ephesians 2:11-12
Pray
Dear God, thank You for the reminder that I am only a sojourner on this earth. Help and guide me Lord that all things that I must do will be pleasing to You, and an honor to Your Name. in Jesus' Name. Amen!
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