Joshua 8:30 – 34 “At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel, just as Moses the servant of the LORD 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. And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.
And there in the presence of the Israelites, Joshua inscribed on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written. 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.
Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them.”
Joshua has just celebrated the victories over Ai and Bethel. Now it’s time to carry out the rest of the instructions God gave through Moses. God has commanded Joshua and the Israelites to divide into two groups. Joshua is to build an altar of uncut stones on top of Mount Ebal and offer sacrifices and peace offerings. The stones are to remain rough because God doesn’t want the Israelites succumbing to the temptation to create elaborate altars such as those they saw in Egypt. God is not worried about buildings; God is more concerned about obedience and heart attitudes.
The Israelites are standing with the Levitical priests and the Ark of the Covenant. Half the Israelites are standing at the foot of Mount Ebal and half at the foot of Mount Gerizim. Joshua has inscribed the words of the Law on stones and now reads them out to all the Israelites and to everyone accompanying them. God wants His people to remember Whose they are, where they have come from, and His intentions for them. Later on, the Israelites will prove that they are extremely proficient at forgetting, but for now, they are being obedient.
APPLICATION: “Never Forget!” Around the world, this phrase means so many different things to so many people. There are Holocaust monuments and museums, memorials to unknown soldiers from various wars – the list is endless. Why is it important to remember and to commemorate important events?
George Santayana is quoted as having said, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Certainly, there are parts of the past that the Israelites don’t wish to repeat! Slavery in Egypt for 400 years? Wandering around in the Wilderness for 40 years? Suffering through worries about food and water and grazing? No thanks!
God doesn’t want the Israelites to have to repeat their past either. That is why God has instructed Joshua to read all of the Law to the Israelites. But what about us? Do we try to learn from our past mistakes or do we try to blank out those memories in hopes that they won’t come back to bite us?
Both my husband and I have been previously married and divorced. Divorce is horrible; it’s like a death with nobody to bury. The aftermath of divorce can echo through generations. We firmly believe that marriages should be lasting covenants; however, there are some times when things happen that are beyond one’s control. But when we met, as previously divorced people, we prayed long and hard that God would knit us together and that we would learn from our past mistakes. God has been faithful to do that and we can testify that through the years, God has redeemed our painful pasts and has created something bright and lasting.
What can we do with painful memories? God can be the Keeper of our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows. If something is too painful, ask God to help you handle it. Ask God to redeem that memory so that you can gain everything possible out of it. And then let it go. Trust God to handle it.
PRAYER: Father God, many of us are carrying memories we wish we could forget! Help us to trust You with those memories and redeem them, so that Your perfect love and grace can heal the hurts in our lives. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
February 19, 2022 at 5:05 pm
Wow, think you were talking to me today. Definitely something to ponder. Thank you.