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Covenant Renewal at Mount Ebal
Joshua 8 shows God’s restoration after defeat. Israel, now purified from sin, followed God’s battle plan and secured victory over Ai. The ambush demonstrated God’s wisdom, the raised javelin signified His power, and the covenant renewal reminded the nation of their dependence on His Word.
Joshua’s covenant ceremony at Ebal and Gerizim carries out Moses’ instructions after Israel enters the land, publicly placing blessing, curse, law reading, and worship into the new-land setting.
Joshua’s altar, law writing, sacrifices, blessings/curses, and public reading at Ebal explicitly enact the covenant ceremony Moses prescribed in Deuteronomy before Israel entered the land.
Joshua’s altar of unhewn stones, sacrifices, written law, and public reading at Mount Ebal explicitly fulfill Moses’ covenant-ceremony instructions in Deuteronomy. The conquest is therefore publicly subordinated to covenant Torah.
The blessing-and-curse ceremony at Gerizim and Ebal carries out the covenant arrangement Moses prescribed before Israel entered the land. Israel enters the land beneath blessing-and-curse accountability.
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