Ebal’s altar

Joshua 8:30-35 (JDV)

Joshua 8:30 At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to Yahveh, the God of Israel,
Joshua 8:31 just like Moses Yahveh’s servant 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. Then they offered burnt offerings to Yahveh and sacrificed fellowship offerings on it.
Joshua 8:32 There on the stones, Joshua copied the law of Moses, which he had written in the presence of the Israelites.
Joshua 8:33 All Israel – resident alien and citizen alike – with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on either side of the ark of Yahveh’s covenant facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses Yahveh’s servant had commanded earlier concerning blessing the people of Israel.
Joshua 8:34 Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the instruction – the blessings as well as the curses – according to all that is written in the book of instruction.
Joshua 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read before the entire assembly of Israel, including the women, the dependents, and the resident aliens who lived among them.

Ebal’s altar

Immediately after the destruction of Ai, Joshua built an altar and recommitted the people to obeying the law. But do not overlook the fact that Joshua also offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. The renewal included more that a recommitment. The sacrifice was a celebration of God’s forgiveness by his grace.

Likewise, on that day, when our universe is once and for all cleansed of its defilement, it will not be the destruction of evil that we will celebrate. It will be the survival of life, brought about by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.