Today’s passage: Joshua 8:30-35
Helpful thoughts:
- This altar’s location and the details of the events that occurred here were commanded in Deuteronomy 27:4-5, 11:26–32, and 27:12–13.
- The people of Israel were stationed on two hillsides facing each other, like a natural arena or stadium.
- After a time of sin, it was appropriate for Israel to pause, give sacrifices and review the content of their covenant, including the blessings and curses in the Law.
- It would take approximately fourteen hours to read the first five books of the Bible, which Moses wrote.
Questions to consider:
- What does the fact that the people gathered included natural-born citizens of Israel and those who had joined along the way remind us of concerning God’s redemptive plan?
- Why was it so important for Israel to stop, sacrifice, and study the Law together? Other than obeying what God had commanded, what would this have accomplished for them as the people of God?
- How does this reading of the entire Law compare with Paul’s effort to declare the “whole counsel of God” to the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:27)? What is the purpose of the sermon? Why is it important for all of us to be there?