· Made of “great stones” [Duet 27:3] covered with plaister and the words of the law were to written. [Josh 8:31] Burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings were made upon the plaister stones with the words of the law written upon them. These “great stones” was a great memorial to God’s Law.
· The tribes were divided between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim [Josh 8:33]
· [Deut 27:12] From Mt. Gerizim blessing of the people.
Ø These six tribes represented the blessed nation.
· [Deut 27:13] From Mt. Ebal cursing of the people
Ø These six tribes represented the cursed nation
· From Mt. Gerizim the Levites speak the curses [Deu 27:14-26]
· NOTE: Why was the cursed nation was represented on Mt. Ebal where the law was written upon the stone and sacrifices and offerings were made?
Ø Deu 27:26 The nation did not to keep the physical aspect of the law and it is impossible for anyone to keep spiritual aspect of he law. Everyone was under the curse of not keeping all the words of the law. The LORD knew the law would bring only curses upon Israel and also upon all gentiles - - every person who has ever lived and will be born came under this “plaistered” curse.
Ø The nation of Israel chose the curses over the blessings. The curses offered physical pleasure but spiritual condemnation.
Ø Deu 4:8 What the gentile nations were to say about the law. Compared to what Israel said Mal 1:13, 1Sam 8:20
Ø That is the curse of the law spoken of in Ga 3:13.
Ch 9-13 Battles for the land, failure to utterly destroy the Canaanite nations
· Josh 11:20 The LORD hardened the hearts of the wicked nations so they would fight against Israel. Remember their hearts melted Josh 2:11
Ø If they had fled before Israel and just left the land those wicked nations would have been able to continue to thrive elsewhere.
Jos 13:13, 15:6, Jg 1 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not . . dwell among the Israelites until this day.
· The consequences of not obeying the LORD: Nu 33:55; Jos 23:11-13; Jg 2:3
Ch 13:16-Ch 19 Division of the land of Canaan among the tribes
· Ch 18:1 the tabernacle was set up, the place of sacrifice, in Shiloh. And the land was subdued before them.
· See 19:51 the dividing ended
CH 20 The cities of refuse identified.
Ch 21 48 cities Cities and suburbs were taken out of the inheritance twelve tribes and given to the Levites. The suburbs were for their cattle [cattle = livestock].
21:43-44 ¶ And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. De 19:8, 32:8
Ch 22 Joshua allowed Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh to go to their possession on the east side of the Jordon River. Joshua exhorts them to [V5] take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law and seve the LORD
· V10 The Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh build a tall alter on the west bank of the Jordon River. The rest of Israel believe they chose to leave worshipping the LORD and are ready to go to war against their brethren.
· V27 They built this altar as a memorial, a witness between them and the rest who lived on the west side of Jordon that we might do the service of the LORD before him [where the LORD commanded] with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings;
Ch 23-24 The time of Joshua’s death was at hand. The LORD allowed Joshua to die in a time peace from their enemies.
V24:11-14 He exhorts all Israel to keep the commandments and gave Israel a time of peace. Put away the gods of the generation that died in the wilderness [gods of Egypt]
· V15, 16-23 Their answer: God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
· V 24 Notice they had strange gods among them that had to be put away before they could serve the true God.
Ø The reason for Vs 23:11-13.
Ø These tribes were the tribes ready to fight the two and half tribes over their idolatry, hypocrites.
· V24:28 So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
· V24:31, Jg 2:7 Israel served the LORD until those who were 19 and under when they came out of Egypt died.
24:33 When Eleazar died Israel should have been subdued the land. The wars should have ended. The people were no longer to dwell in tents but houses.
Ø I believe this ended the ordinance of the law of the ashes of the Red heifer and the water of separation of Num 19.