just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: "an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used." And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings. just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the IsraelitesThis phrase underscores the continuity and faithfulness to the divine instructions given through Moses. The Hebrew root for "commanded" (צָוָה, tsavah) implies a direct order or charge, emphasizing the authority of Moses as God's chosen leader. The reference to Moses as "the servant of the LORD" highlights his role as a mediator between God and Israel, a model of obedience and faithfulness. This obedience to Moses' commands reflects a deep respect for the covenantal relationship established at Sinai. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses
The phrase "according to what is written" indicates a strict adherence to the divine instructions recorded in the Torah. The "Book of the Law of Moses" refers to the Pentateuch, particularly the instructions found in Deuteronomy 27:5-6 regarding the construction of altars. This adherence to the written law signifies the importance of Scripture as the ultimate authority in guiding the community's worship and life. an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool had been used
The use of "uncut stones" (Hebrew: אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת, avanim shelemot) symbolizes purity and the natural state of creation, untouched by human craftsmanship. The prohibition of iron tools suggests a rejection of human pride and technological prowess in worship, emphasizing that the altar is a place of divine encounter, not human achievement. This practice reflects a broader biblical theme of humility and reverence before God. And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD
"Burnt offerings" (Hebrew: עֹלוֹת, olot) were sacrifices wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication and surrender to God. The act of offering these sacrifices on the altar signifies Israel's renewed commitment to the covenant and their desire for atonement and reconciliation with God. It is a profound expression of worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and grace. and they sacrificed fellowship offerings
"Fellowship offerings" (Hebrew: שְׁלָמִים, shelamim) are also known as peace offerings, representing communion and thanksgiving. These offerings were shared between the altar, the priests, and the offerer, symbolizing peace and fellowship with God and the community. This act of sacrifice highlights the communal aspect of worship and the restoration of harmony between God and His people, as well as among the people themselves. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading them into the Promised Land. 2. MosesThe servant of the LORD who received the Law from God and instructed the Israelites in its observance. 3. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are entering the Promised Land. 4. The AltarConstructed of uncut stones, as commanded in the Law, symbolizing purity and obedience to God's instructions. 5. Burnt Offerings and Peace OfferingsSacrifices made to God, representing atonement and fellowship with Him. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's adherence to the instructions given by Moses highlights the importance of following God's commands precisely. This teaches us the value of obedience in our spiritual walk. Symbolism of Uncut StonesThe use of uncut stones signifies purity and the unaltered nature of God's creation. In our lives, we should strive for purity and authenticity in our worship and service to God. Sacrificial WorshipThe offerings made on the altar remind us of the importance of sacrificial worship. Today, we are called to offer our lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Continuity of God's CovenantThe building of the altar and the offerings made are a reaffirmation of God's covenant with Israel. This continuity encourages us to trust in God's unchanging promises. Community WorshipThe collective act of building the altar and offering sacrifices underscores the importance of community in worship. We are reminded to gather together in worship and fellowship. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua's obedience in building the altar according to the Law of Moses challenge us in our daily obedience to God's Word? 2. What is the significance of using uncut stones for the altar, and how can this principle be applied to maintaining purity in our worship today? 3. In what ways do the burnt offerings and peace offerings in Joshua 8:31 foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ? 4. How can we, as a community of believers, ensure that our worship remains centered on God's instructions and not on human traditions? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust in God's promises despite challenges. How does the continuity of God's covenant with Israel encourage you in your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:25This verse provides the original command regarding the construction of altars with uncut stones, emphasizing the importance of following God's specific instructions. Deuteronomy 27:5-6Moses instructs the Israelites to build an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal, directly connecting to the actions taken by Joshua. 1 Kings 18:31-32Elijah builds an altar with twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, showing continuity in the use of stone altars. Hebrews 13:15This verse speaks of offering sacrifices of praise, connecting the physical sacrifices of the Old Testament to spiritual sacrifices in the New Testament. People Israelites, Joshua, LevitesPlaces Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Altar, Book, Built, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Cause, Commanded, Fellowship, Instrument, Iron, Israelites, Law, Lift, Lifted, Offered, Offerings, Ordered, Peace, Peace-offerings, Recorded, Sacrifice, Sacrificed, Servant, Sons, Stones, Thereon, Tool, Uncut, Unhewn, Untouched, Waved, Wielded, WrittenDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 8:31 1349 covenant, at Sinai
5207 architecture
5583 tools
8344 servanthood, in believers Joshua 8:30-31 1640 Book of the Law
4336 iron
5240 building Joshua 8:30-32 4366 stones
5574 tablet Joshua 8:30-35 4254 mountains Joshua 8:31-32 7364 fellowship offering Library The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFebruary the Seventeenth Blessings and Cursings
"He read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings." --JOSHUA viii. 30-35. We are inclined to read only what pleases us, to hug the blessings and to ignore the warnings. We bask in the light, we close our eyes to the lightning. We recount the promises, we shut our ears to the rebukes. We love the passages which speak of our Master's gentleness, we turn away from those which reveal His severity. And all this is unwise, and therefore unhealthy. We become spiritually soft and anaemic. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Whether it is Lawful to Lay Ambushes in War?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to lay ambushes in war. For it is written (Dt. 16:20): "Thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." But ambushes, since they are a kind of deception, seem to pertain to injustice. Therefore it is unlawful to lay ambushes even in a just war. Objection 2: Further, ambushes and deception seem to be opposed to faithfulness even as lies are. But since we are bound to keep faith with all men, it is wrong to lie to anyone, as Augustine states (Contra …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot Jesus in the Tomb.
It was about three o'clock in the afternoon, according to our manner of reckoning,[1] when Jesus expired. A Jewish law[2] forbade a corpse suspended on the cross to be left beyond the evening of the day of the execution. It is not probable that in the executions performed by the Romans this rule was observed; but as the next day was the Sabbath, and a Sabbath of peculiar solemnity, the Jews expressed to the Roman authorities[3] their desire that this holy day should not be profaned by such a spectacle.[4] …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Crucifixion.
Subdivision D. Jesus Found to Be Dead. His Body Buried and Guarded in the Tomb. ^A Matt. XXVII. 57-66; ^B Mark XV. 42-47; ^C Luke XXIII. 50-56; ^D John XIX. 31-42. ^d 31 The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day ), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [According to rabbinical writing a few hours before the Sabbath were called the Preparation; …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 8:31 NIVJoshua 8:31 NLTJoshua 8:31 ESVJoshua 8:31 NASBJoshua 8:31 KJV
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