Josué 8

Josué 8

Morris - A huge stone altar has been discovered on Mount Ebal that may well be the altar built by Joshua. It seems to date from the time of Joshua and is surrounded by the bones of many animals possibly used in sacrifice (Joshua 8:31). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 30-35. As soon as Joshua got to the mountains Ebal and Gerizim, without delay, and without caring for the unsettled state of Israel, or their enemies, he confirmed the covenant of the Lord with his people, as appointed, Deuteronomy chapters 11 and 27. We must not think to defer covenanting with God till we are settled in the world; nor must any business put us from minding and pursuing the one thing needful. The way to prosper is to begin with God, Matthew 6:33. They built an altar, and offered sacrifice to God, in token of their dedicating themselves to God, as living sacrifices to his honour, in and by a Mediator. By Christ's sacrifice of himself for us, we have peace with God. It is a great mercy to any people to have the law of God in writing, and it is fit that the written law should be in a known tongue, that it may be seen and read of all men. Related Resources: What is the importance of Shechem in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org - Note that there is no record of Joshua taking military action against the people of Shechem and Shechem is not mentioned as one of 31 cities and kings in Joshua 12. Technical Note - This “floating pericope” (Joshua 8:30-35) is found in three positions: A DSS fragment has it between 5:1 and 5:2; in LXX it is found after notice of the formation of the Canaanite coalition at 9:2; and it appears here at 8:30ff. However, there is no reason to follow anything other than the universal Hebrew reading, which places it at the end of chap. 8. (Moody Bible Commentary) GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 30. Joshua built an altar—in mount Ebal. This was in obedience to the command given Deut. 27:2–8, on which see Notes. Mount Ebal, as well as mount Gerizim, was situated near Shechem in what was afterwards the tribe of Ephraim, and not far from the ancient Samaria. It was at a considerable distance from the camp at Gilgal, yet as it was a ceremony that had been expressly commanded, and the performance of which was not to be delayed any longer than was absolutely necessary after they had entered Canaan, Deut. 27:2, they seem to have penetrated in a body through the mountainous regions that intervened till they came to the appointed place, although no details of the journey thither are given. Viewed in connexion with their then present circumstances the incident was a remarkable one. While engaged in the mid career of conquest, the business of the war is suddenly suspended, and instead of pushing their victories on every side, after mastering the frontier towns, they commence a peaceful march into the heart of the country to attend upon a religious solemnity! But God had ordered it, and they cheerfully obeyed. Whatsoever else stands still, the service of God must go forward. Whatever other interests may suffer, our spiritual concerns must receive attention. But in truth there is no danger that our worldly interests will suffer in consequence of a paramount regard to the one thing needful. God will take them into his own hand, and see that we are no losers by any thing done for him. In the present instance, we see that his providential care was wonderfully exercised towards his faithful servants. Though in the midst of an enemy’s country, as yet unconquered, yet they passed on unharmed, the terror of God having fallen upon the cities round about, as when Jacob some ages before had passed through this very region on his way to Bethel, Gen. 35:5. The way of duty is the way of safety.—The object of erecting the altar was to offer the sacrifices spoken of in the next verse. It was a federal transaction in which they were now engaged. The covenant was now to be renewed upon their taking possession of the land of promise, and a formal profession made of their subjection to the law, and of their dependence for success in all their enterprises upon the blessing of the Most High. All this it was proper should be ratified by sacrificial offerings. Joshua 8:31 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. as it is: Jos 8:34,35 1:8 2Ki 14:6 22:8 2Ch 25:4 35:12 Ezr 6:18 Ne 13:1 Mt 12:26 altar: Ex 20:24,25 De 27:5,6 1Ki 18:31,32 and they offered: Ex 18:12 24:5 De 27:6,7 Joshua 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 27:1-6+ Then Moses and the elders of Israel charged the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 “So it shall be on the day when you cross the Jordan to the land which the LORD your God gives you, that you shall set up for yourself large stones and coat them with lime 3 and write on them all the words of this law, when you cross over, so that you may enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. 4 “So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime.Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. 6 “You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God; JOSHUA OBEYS MOSES' COMMAND 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 - Joshua apparently had access to a written copy of Moses' writings. This would seem to explain why Joshua did not immediately strike the other Canaanite cities. He put God first, even before what logically would seem to be the best course of action. This is always the best course to take beloved! An altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron tool and they offered burnt offerings (olah) on it to the LORD, and sacrificed (zabach) peace offerings (selem/shelem) - Burnt offerings to Yahweh are given for atonement of sins and peace offerings speak of fellowship of the people with Yahweh. When God originally cut the Mosaic Covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai, there was a very similar ceremony memorialized by building an altar of uncut stones (TO KEEP FROM DEFILING THE ALTAR) and celebrating with similar offerings... ‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25 ‘If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it. 26‘And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’ (Exodus 20:24-26+) Comment - The stones were to be uncut, either to emphasize that the Israelites were not to depend on the technology of pagan craftsmen in building such an altar, or simply because the use of any tool would profane an altar dedicated to the Lord Stephen Grant - The burnt offering was a voluntary offering which was consumed on the altar, producing a sweet savour and making atonement (Lev 1+). It is a picture of the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross, which brought pleasure to the heart of God and atonement for man, so that every believer is “accepted in the beloved” (Eph 1:6). The peace offering was the only offering which provided a portion for God, the priest and the offerer (Lev 3:1–17+; Lev 7:11–21+), with the sweet savour arising to heaven as a result of the sacrifice. It speaks of the enjoyment of fellowship between God and man, which is only possible as a result of the work of the Lord Jesus. (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua) Burnt offerings (05930) 'olah from 'alah = to ascend and thus the picture of going up in smoke) refers to a whole burnt offering (one which goes up in smoke), which was voluntary, was understood as a sacrificial gift to God, resulting in a pleasing aroma acceptable to Jehovah (Lev 1:9). The presenter laid hands on the sacrifice which many feel signifies they saw the animal sacrifice as their substitute. The blood was sprinkled on the altar (Lev 1:6) When this offering was properly carried out (including a right heart attitude not just a "going through the motions," [which was not pleasing to God - Jer 6:20, Jer 7:21, 23, 24, see David - Ps 51:16-17+] not just an external "work," but an internal submission and obedience to Jehovah), they made atonement and were acceptable before Jehovah. The total burning indicated (or should have indicated) total consecration of the presenter's heart and soul and life to Jehovah. As noted a key feature of 'olah appears to be that among the Israelite sacrifices only 'olah is wholly burned, or wholly consumed by the fire rather than being partially burned with one part eaten by the worshipers and/or the priest. Thus, the whole animal is brought up to the altar and the whole is offered as a gift (minha) in homage to Yahweh. Whole offering would be a better rendering in English to convey the theology. It is indeed burned, but the burning is essentially secondary to the giving of the whole creature to Yahweh. Peace offerings (08002) selem/shelem is a noun which means fellowship offerings, thanksgiving offerings and all uses (except Amos 5:22) are in the plural form (selamim). The root Hebrew word conveys the idea of completion and fulfillment, of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship. The peace offerings were voluntary offerings (like burnt and grain offerings) given to God with thanks and praise. Selem symbolizes the gift of shalom, i.e. the blessing of wholeness, prosperity, and the status of being at peace with God. This involves more than forgiveness of sin, in that fullness of life, prosperity, and peace with men is the expected result of shalom status. A second alternative is identified by de Vaux as “communion sacrifice,” i.e. one in which there is a sharing of the sacrificial animal and the resultant fellowship around a meal. The šĕlāmîm, then, were social occasions “before” (Hebrew = panim = face) the Lord never “with” the Lord (Dt 12:7, 18; 14:23, 26; 15:20). There is no sense of attaining mystical union with God through these sacrifices. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 31. Over which no man hath lifted up any iron. Rather ‘had lift up.’ The writer does not intend to quote the precise words of the law, but merely to say that Joshua constructed an altar in accordance with the precept of Moses, Ex. 20:25; Deut. 27:5; viz., one over which no man had lifted up an iron tool. Joshua 8:32 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. De 27:2-3,8 Joshua 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LAW OF MOSES ON THE STONES He wrote there on the stones - There is a paucity of detail describing this activity commanded in Dt 27:2-3,8+. Bush suggests that "Upon comparing this with the injunction, Deut. 27:2–7, it appears quite obvious that in addition to the altar they were required also to erect a number of stone pillars, and that the writing was to be done upon the pillars, instead of upon the altar, for which purpose they were previously to be plastered over." Joshua functioning as Israel's spiritual leader wrote a copy of the law, much as the future king would be required to do (Dt 17:18–20)." A copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel - Joshua copied the writings of Moses, but how much we can only speculate - just the 10 commandments, the blessings and cursings of Dt 28-30, the entire Pentateuch? We simply do not know. However given the fact that the blessings and cursings are clearly stated in Dt 28-30, it would be reasonable to assume they read at least those parts of Moses' writings. Grant - The nation was reminded that their covenant relationship with the Lord was based upon the Law and their observance of it. Their acceptance before the Lord and their fellowship with Him was dependent on their obedience (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua) Bush comments on copy of the law of Moses "That is, a copy of the blessings and curses commanded by Moses; not a copy of the decalogue, as some imagine; nor of the book of Deuteronomy, as others think; much less of the whole Pentateuch; but simply that part of the law which contained the blessings and curses, and which was to be read on this solemn occasion. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 32. A copy of the law. Heb. משנה תורה mishnëh torâh, a repetition, a duplicate of the law. Joshua 8:33 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. all Israel: Jos 23:2 24:1 De 27:12,13 29:10,11 priests: Jos 3:3,6,14 4:10,18 6:6 De 31:9,25 1Ch 15:11-15 stranger: Ex 12:49 Lev 24:22 Nu 15:16,29 De 31:12 Moses: Jos 8:30-32 De 11:29 Dt 27:12-13 Joshua 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AN ANTIPHONAL GATHERING AT GERIZIM AND EBAL Antiphonal refers to a short sentence or its musical setting which is sung, recited, or played alternately by two groups. And noted below the blessing would be read from Mt Gerizim and the curse from Mt Ebal. So it is very likely that they chanted antiphonally the blessings and the curses of the covenant. Most 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 (ger) as well as the native - Apparently the Ark is centrally placed between Mt Gerizim and Mt Ebal. 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 (barak) the people of Israel - Moses had given more specific instructions regarding the placement of the tribes writing “When you cross the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13“For the curse, these shall stand on Mount Ebal: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. (Dt 27:12-13+) Alan Carr - This exercise was to remind them of what God would bless and of what He would not bless. They were reaffirming their commitment to live by the Word of God every day! So, in obedience to the command of the Lord, Israel made the 30 mile trips to these mountains and they stood there facing one another across that 2 mile wide valley. As the commandments were read, they shouted “Amen!” Imagine what that scene must have looked and sounded like that day! There’s was a devotion to living by the Word of God. Folks, if we are to ever experience lasting victory over this flesh, then we too must learn to walk in the Word of God. It isn’t enough to fight the war with the flesh and hope to achieve the victory. If we are to win and preserve the victory day by day, then we must learn to live by the Word of God. If God said do it, then do it! If God said don’t do it, then don’t do it. If you have a doubt, then leave it out! Where is your devotion this morning? It needs to be to the Word of God! Are you living by the book like to should? Can you echo what Job said in Job 23:12? Can you honestly say that what God says matters in your life? If you want lasting victory over the flesh, there must be absolute devotion to the Word of God! (Joshua 8:1-35 How To Ambush Your Ai) Related Resource: What are the blessings God promised Israel for obedience? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that you are the head and not the tail in Deuteronomy 28:13? | GotQuestions.org Bridgeway Bible Dictionary Gerizim Easton's Bible Dictionary Gerizim Fausset Bible Dictionary Gerizim Holman Bible Dictionary Gerizim and Ebal Ebal Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Gerizim Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Gerizim 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Gerizim International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Gerizim, Mount Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Ebal and Gerizim Gerizim Mount McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Gerizim Gerizim, Mount The Jewish Encyclopedia Gerizim, Mount Easton's Bible Dictionary Ebal Fausset Bible Dictionary Ebal Holman Bible Dictionary Gerizim and Ebal Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Ebal International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Ebal, Mount McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Ebal Ebal, Mount The Nuttall Encyclopedia Ebal, Mount The Jewish Encyclopedia Ebal Stranger (01616) ger from gur = to live among people not one's blood relatives) is a masculine noun meaning sojourner, alien, stranger. It describes a person who does not belong to the nation of Israel by ancestry. The word is used most often to describe strangers in Israel who were not native-born Israelites. “The stranger” was a description of residents in Israel who were permanently associated with the children of Israel, but were not Israelites by birth. They had to enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord (Deut 29:11–12) and enjoyed the blessings of the children of Israel as seen in their participation in the feasts of the Lord (Ex 12:43–49; 20:10; Deut 16:10–14; 26:10–11). It is important to note that the stranger was not a temporary visitor among them. He would have the same status as an Israelite (Lev 22:25; Deut 14:21). Bless (Lxx = eulogeo)(01288) barak is a verb which literally can mean to kneel (to go to one's knees - Camel in Ge 24:11, Solomon in 2Chr 6:13) as contrasted with standing position or even a bowing at the waist). And so barak can refer to an act of adoration sometimes on bended knee. To give divine blessings (Ge 1:22, 9:1-7) To esteem greatly or adore God for His blessings (Ge 24:48, Ps 103:1) To invoke blessings upon another (Ge 24:60, 27:4, 27) The Hebrew is usually translated in the Lxx with eulogeo which literally means to speak well of and in this context to pronounce or bestow a blessing or gracious benefit upon the recipient. The English definition of to bless means "pronounce words in a religious rite, to confer or invoke divine favor upon; ask God to look favorably." Barak in Joshua - Jos. 8:33; Jos. 14:13; Jos. 17:14; Jos. 22:6; Jos. 22:7; Jos. 22:33; Jos. 24:10 GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 33. Before the priests, the Levites. That is, in view of the priests, the Levites; not that the elders, officers, and judges stood nearer the ark than the priests, but that they so surrounded the ark that the priests who were carrying it had a full view of them. In like manner it might be said that a great crowd in a funeral were before the bearers and pall-bearers, if they stood full in their view. Over against mount Gerizim and over against mount Ebal. For an account of these mountains see on Deut. 11:29. The two divisions seem not to have stood upon the summit of the mountains, but were ranged along their base and some way up their sides, that they might be nearer the ark, which occupied the valley between, and more conveniently hear the reading of the law. That they should bless the people. And curse also, though the last is not expressly mentioned; it is however plainly to be inferred, both from the original command of Moses, Deut. 27:13, and from the phraseology of the next verse. Joshua 8:34 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. he read: De 31:10-12 Ne 8:2,3 9:3 13:1 blessing: Lev 26:1-46 De 27:14-26 28:1-68 29:20,21 30:15-20 Joshua 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Dt 11:29-30 It shall come about, when the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, that you shall place the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. 30 “Are they not across the Jordan, west of the way toward the sunset, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh? CEREMONY IMPRESSES IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW 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 - The blessing would be read from Mount Gerizim and the curse from Mount Ebal. These two mountains were located in the center of the Promised Land and would (or should) serve as dramatic "memory joggers" of the importance of obedience to God's law to ensure God's hand of blessing. Sadly, Israel's memory was short-lived as the book of Judges reveals! Grant - The generation who had covenanted with the Lord had fallen in the wilderness and a new generation had entered the land. A restatement of the basis of their relationship with Him was required, together with their agreement to the terms of the covenant. The people that had left Egypt had failed and had not entered into the land. They had fallen under the curse of the Law as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith in their God. Their failure did not mean that a new generation had to fail. They were given the same opportunity as their predecessors to affirm their covenant with the Lord as they entered into the land (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua) Donald Campbell - As the curses of the Law were read one by one, the tribes on Mount Ebal responded, “Amen!” As the blessings were likewise read the tribes on Mount Gerizim responded “Amen!” (Deut. 11:29; 27:12–26) The huge natural amphitheater which still exists there made it possible for the people to hear every word and with all sincerity Israel affirmed that the Law of the Lord was indeed to be the Law of the land. From this point on the history of the Jews depended on their attitude toward the Law which had been read in their hearing that day. When they were obedient there was blessing; when they were disobedient there was judgment (cf. Deut. 28). It is tragic that the affirmations of this momentous hour faded so quickly. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary ) GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 34. And afterward he read. That is, he commanded the priests or Levites to read, as is evident from Deut. 27:14. In innumerable instances in the Scriptures, a person is said to do that which he orders or procures to be done. The words of the law, the blessings and cursings. All the sanctions of the law; from which and from v. 35, it would seem that much more was read on this occasion than was written on the stones. Joshua 8:35 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. was not: De 4:2 Jer 26:2 Ac 20:27 women: De 29:11 31:12 Ezr 10:1 Ne 8:2 Joe 2:16 Mk 10:14 Ac 21:5 strangers: Jos 8:33 Joshua 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 31:11-13 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. 12 “Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the LORD your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. 13 “Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.” 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 - Having heard clearly the blessings and the cursings, all the people of Israel were now accountable for their response. They had just witnessed a dramatic example of Achan who had disobeyed God's commandments and that should have served to imprint on them hearts and minds that God would keep His Word regarding both obedience and disobedience! Who were the strangers who were living among them? - We know that Rahab the Harlot and her family were strangers living among the Jews. There was also likely proselytes, Gentiles who choose to join with the Jews and their God Jehovah. Henry Morris - This ceremony again confirms both the Mosaic authorship and the verbal inerrancy of these Scriptures, as well as the reverent obedience with which they should be received. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 8 35. With the women and little ones. It was a word that concerned all, and all of all sexes and ages were present, giving a solemn and heedful attention to what was read. Children would be deeply impressed by the solemnities of the scene, and a salutary fear of offending God would sink into their tender hearts. The strangers that were conversant among them. Heb. הגר ההלך בקרבם haggër hahōlek bekirbâm, the stranger that walked among them. Proselytes. No other strangers can well be supposed to have been present at this time. F B