In Josue 8 we see the beginnings of the established Jewish religion to come. A decisive victory over Hai gives Joshua and the Israelites some peace and security for the time being; and they mark the occasion with a ceremony that harkens back to Moses' day. The pronouncement of blessings and curses from the tops of Mounts Garizim and Hebal is referenced in Deuteronomy 27, and Joshua here fulfills Moses' instructions. We see the first moments of the Law's permanent establishment. From here it will be Joshua's duty not only to continue to solidify the Israelites' hold on Canaan militarily, but to establish altars and monuments and the infrastructure necessary for the Mosaic Law to become a national religion, with the goal eventually being the construction of an everlasting Temple to house the Ark and therefore the Law. Josue 8 makes this eventuality evident. In their Promised Land, the Israelites can now openly follow the commands of God, quite literally, by shouting blessings and curses from the tops of mountains! They've come a long way from their days of wandering miserably through the desert. Traditions can now begin to be established, and these traditions would go on to become powerfully entrenched in this Holy Land. Moses had words, and he gave those words to Joshua. Now Joshua turns those words to actions.
Today is Good Friday. This and the next three posts will be in honor of the Lenten season, which is quickly drawing to a close.
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