patriarchs and prophets-第129章
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strict to mark iniquity。 All too late their sins will find them out in that
day when they shall not be purged with sacrifice or offering forever。 When
the records of heaven shall be opened； the Judge will not in words declare
to man his guilt； but will cast one penetrating； convicting glance； and
every deed； every transaction of life； will be vividly impressed upon the
memory of the wrongdoer。 The person will not； as in Joshua's day； need to be
hunted out from tribe to family； but his own lips will confess his shame。
The sins hidden from the knowledge of men will then be proclaimed to the
whole world。
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Chapter 46
The Blessings and the Curses
After the execution of the sentence upon Achan； Joshua was commanded to
marshal all the men of war and again advance against Ai。 The power of God
was with His people； and they were soon in possession of the city。
Military operations were now suspended； that all Israel might engage in a
solemn religious service。 The people were eager to obtain a settlement in
Canaan； as yet they had not homes or lands for their families； and in order
to gain these they must drive out the Canaanites； but this important work
must be deferred； for a higher duty demanded their first attention。
Before taking possession of their inheritance； they must renew their
covenant of loyalty to God。 In the last instructions of Moses； direction had
been twice given for a convocation of the tribes upon Mounts Ebal and
Gerizim； at Shechem； for the solemn recognition of the law of God。 In
obedience to these injunctions the whole people； not only men； but 〃the
women； and the little ones； and the strangers that were conversant among
them〃 left their camp at Gilgal； and marched through the country of their
enemies； to the vale of Shechem； near the center of the land。 Though
surrounded by unconquered foes； they were safe under the protection of God
as long as they were faithful to Him。 Now； as in the days of Jacob； 〃the
terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them〃 （Genesis
35：5）； and the Hebrews were unmolested。
The place appointed for this solemn service was one already sacred from its
association with the history of their fathers。 It was here that Abraham
raised his first altar to Jehovah in the land of Canaan。 Here both Abraham
and Jacob had pitched their tents。 Here the latter bought the field in which
the tribes were to bury the body of Joseph。 Here also was the well that
Jacob
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had dug； and the oak under which he had buried the idolatrous images of his
household。
The spot chosen was one of the most beautiful in all Palestine； and worthy
to be the theater where this grand and impressive scene was to be enacted。
The lovely valley； its green fields dotted with olive groves； watered with
brooks from living fountains； and gemmed with wild flowers； spread out
invitingly between the barren hills。 Ebal and Gerizim； upon opposite sides
of the valley； nearly approach each other； their lower spurs seeming to form
a natural pulpit； every word spoken on one being distinctly audible on the
other； while the mountainsides； receding； afford space for a vast
assemblage。
According to the directions given by Moses； a monument of great stones was
erected upon Mount Ebal。 Upon these stones； previously prepared by a
covering of plaster； the law was inscribednot only the ten precepts spoken
from Sinai and engraved on the tables of stone； but the laws communicated to
Moses； and by him written in a book。 Beside this monument was built an altar
of unhewn stone； upon which sacrifices were offered unto the Lord。 The fact
that the altar was set up on Mount Ebal； the mountain upon which the curse
was put； was significant； denoting that because of their transgressions of
God's law； Israel had justly incurred His wrath； and that it would be at
once visited； but for the atonement of Christ； represented by the altar of
sacrifice。
Six of the tribesall descended from Leah and Rachelwere stationed upon
Mount Gerizim； while those that descended from the handmaids； together with
Reuben and Zebulun； took their position on Ebal； the priests with the ark
occupying the valley between them。 Silence was proclaimed by the sound of
the signal trumpet； and then in the deep stillness； and in the presence of
this vast assembly； Joshua； standing beside the sacred ark； read the
blessings that were to follow obedience to God's law。 All the tribes on
Gerizim responded by an Amen。 He then read the curses； and the tribes on
Ebal in like manner gave their assent； thousands upon thousands of voices
uniting as the voice of one man in the solemn response。 Following this came
the reading of the law of God； together with the statutes and judgments that
had been delivered to them by Moses。
Israel had received the law directly from the mouth of God at Sinai； and its
sacred precepts； written by His own hand； were
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still preserved in the ark。 Now it had been again written where all could
read it。 All had the privilege of seeing for themselves the conditions of
the covenant under which they were to hold possession of Canaan。 All were to
signify their acceptance of the terms of the covenant and give their assent
to the blessings or curses for its observance or neglect。 The law was not
only written upon the memorial stones； but was read by Joshua himself in the
hearing of all Israel。 It had not been many weeks since Moses gave the whole
book of Deuteronomy in discourses to the people； yet now Joshua read the law
again。
Not alone the men of Israel； but 〃all the women and the little ones〃
listened to the reading of the law； for it was important that they also
should know and do their duty。 God had commanded Israel concerning His
statutes： 〃Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in
your soul； and bind them for a sign upon your hand； that they may be as
frontlets between your eyes。 And ye shall teach them your children； 。 。 。
that your days may be multiplied； and the days of your children； in the land
which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them； as the days of heaven
upon the earth。〃 Deuteronomy 11：18…21。
Every seventh year the whole law was to be read in the assembly of all
Israel； as Moses commanded： 〃At the end of every seven years； in the
solemnity of the year of release； in the feast of tabernacles； when all
Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall
choose； thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing。 Gather
the people together； men； and women； and children； and thy stranger that is
within thy gates； that they may hear； and that they may learn； and fear the
Lord your God； and observe to do all the words of this law： and that their
children； which have not known anything； may hear； and learn to fear the
Lord your God； as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to
possess it。〃 Deuteronomy 31：10…13。
Satan is ever at work endeavoring to pervert what God has spoken； to blind
the mind and darken the understanding； and thus lead men into sin。 This is
why the Lord is so explicit； making His requirements so very plain that none
need err。 God is constantly seeking to draw men close under His protection；
that Satan may not practice his cruel； deceptive power upon them。 He has
condescended to speak to them with His own
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voice； to write with His own hand the living oracles。 And these blessed
words； all instinct with life and luminous with truth； are committed to men
as a perfect guide。 Because Satan is so ready to catch away the mind and
divert the affections from the Lord's promises and requirements； the greater
diligence is needed to fix them in the mind and impress them upon the heart。
Greater attention should be given by religious teachers to instructing the
people in the facts and lessons of Bible history and the warnings and
requirements of the Lord。 These should be presented in simple language；
adapted to the comprehensi
