All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel. All IsraelThis phrase emphasizes the unity and inclusivity of the entire nation of Israel. The Hebrew term "kol Yisrael" signifies not just the native-born Israelites but the entire community, including those who have joined them. This reflects the covenantal promise that God made with Abraham, extending to all who align themselves with the God of Israel. foreigners and citizens alike
The inclusion of "foreigners" (Hebrew: "gerim") alongside "citizens" (native Israelites) highlights the openness of God's covenant community. This is a profound reminder that God's promises and blessings are available to all who choose to follow Him, regardless of their ethnic or national origin. It reflects the broader biblical theme of God's desire for all nations to come to know Him. elders, officers, and judges
These groups represent the leadership and governance structure within Israel. The "elders" (Hebrew: "zaqenim") were respected leaders, the "officers" (Hebrew: "shoterim") were administrative officials, and the "judges" (Hebrew: "shofetim") were those who rendered legal decisions. Their presence underscores the importance of order and leadership in the community's spiritual and civic life. stood on either side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD
The "ark of the covenant" was the most sacred object in Israel, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The positioning of the people on either side of the ark signifies their reverence and recognition of God's central role in their lives. It also reflects the physical manifestation of God's covenant with Israel, as the ark contained the tablets of the Law. facing the Levitical priests who carried it
The "Levitical priests" were responsible for the religious duties and the care of the ark. Their role as mediators between God and the people is highlighted here, as they carry the ark, symbolizing the weight of God's covenant and law. This act of facing the priests indicates the people's acknowledgment of the priestly role in guiding them in worship and obedience to God. Both the foreigners and the citizens
Reiterating the inclusivity of the assembly, this phrase again emphasizes that God's blessings and commands are for all who are part of the community. It serves as a reminder of the unity and equality before God, regardless of one's background. half of them in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal
Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal were significant locations for the covenant renewal ceremony. Historically, Mount Gerizim was associated with blessings, while Mount Ebal was associated with curses. This physical division of the people symbolizes the choice set before them: to follow God's ways and receive blessings or to turn away and face consequences. as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier
This phrase underscores the continuity of God's instructions through His servant Moses. It highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands as given through His chosen leaders. Moses' role as "the servant of the LORD" is a reminder of the faithfulness required of God's people. to bless the people of Israel
The ultimate purpose of this gathering and ceremony is to "bless" the people. The Hebrew word "barak" conveys a sense of divine favor and prosperity. This blessing is contingent upon the people's faithfulness to the covenant, reflecting the conditional nature of God's promises based on obedience and devotion. Persons / Places / Events 1. All IsraelThis refers to the entire nation of Israel, including both native-born Israelites and foreigners living among them, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's covenant. 2. Elders, Officers, and JudgesThese are the leaders and officials of Israel, representing the governance and judicial authority within the community. 3. Ark of the CovenantA sacred chest that held the tablets of the Law, symbolizing God's presence and covenant with Israel. 4. Levitical PriestsMembers of the tribe of Levi tasked with religious duties, including carrying the Ark and performing sacrifices. 5. Mount Gerizim and Mount EbalTwo mountains in the land of Canaan where the Israelites were commanded to pronounce blessings and curses, respectively, as part of a covenant renewal ceremony. Teaching Points Covenant RenewalThe ceremony at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal underscores the importance of renewing one's commitment to God's covenant. Believers today are called to regularly renew their commitment to God through prayer, worship, and obedience. Inclusivity in WorshipThe inclusion of both foreigners and citizens highlights the universal nature of God's covenant. The church today should be a place where all are welcome to participate in the worship and community of God. Leadership and ResponsibilityThe presence of elders, officers, and judges emphasizes the role of leadership in guiding the community in faithfulness to God's commands. Christian leaders are called to lead with integrity and uphold God's standards. Symbolism of the ArkThe Ark of the Covenant represents God's presence and His promises. Christians are reminded that God's presence is with them through the Holy Spirit, guiding and empowering them in their daily lives. Blessings and CursesThe ceremony illustrates the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Believers are encouraged to choose obedience, knowing that it leads to blessings and a deeper relationship with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the inclusion of both foreigners and citizens in the ceremony at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal reflect God's heart for inclusivity? How can we apply this principle in our church communities today? 2. In what ways can we, as individuals and as a church, engage in covenant renewal practices to strengthen our relationship with God? 3. What responsibilities do Christian leaders have in guiding their communities in faithfulness to God's commands, and how can they effectively fulfill these roles? 4. How does the symbolism of the Ark of the Covenant as God's presence relate to the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer today? 5. Reflect on the blessings and curses pronounced at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. How do these concepts of obedience and disobedience apply to our lives, and what steps can we take to ensure we are living in obedience to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 27-28These chapters provide the background for the ceremony at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, where Moses instructed the Israelites to pronounce blessings and curses. Exodus 24This chapter describes the initial covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, drawing a parallel to the renewal of the covenant in Joshua 8. Nehemiah 8This passage describes a later covenant renewal ceremony, showing the ongoing importance of covenant renewal in Israel's history. People Israelites, Joshua, LevitesPlaces Ai, Arabah, Bethel, Jericho, Mount Ebal, Mount GerizimTopics Agreement, Alike, Ark, Authorities, Bare, Bearing, Beginning, Birth, Bless, Blessing, Bore, Born, Carried, Citizens, Command, Commanded, Covenant, Ebal, Elders, Facing, Foreigner, Formerly, Front, Gerizim, Half, Homeborn, Home-born, Instructions, Israelite, Israelites, Judges, Lands, Levites, Levitical, Lord's, Mount, Native, Officers, Officials, Opposite, Orders, Over-against, Overseers, Places, Priests, Responsible, Round, Servant, Sides, Sojourner, Standing, Stationed, Stood, StrangerDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 8:33 1657 numbers, fractions
5358 judges
7306 ark of the covenant
8344 servanthood, in believers Joshua 8:30-35 4254 mountains Joshua 8:33-35 7545 outsiders
8711 covenant breakers 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 8:33 NIVJoshua 8:33 NLTJoshua 8:33 ESVJoshua 8:33 NASBJoshua 8:33 KJV
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