1. Joshua 8:30–35 (ESV)
  2. Application

The need for regular covenant renewal

Joshua 8:30–35 (ESV)

30 At that time Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal,

The people of Israel are called to respond to God's faithfulness with obedience. We see their obedience clearly displayed in two actions:

  1. They do everything God said with regard to the battle for the city of Ai.

  2. They do everything God said with regard to the covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.

From these two actions, we can make a lot of general applications for Christian believers today. We are not called to fight battles in the land of Canaan but we are called to put on the armour of God and stand against the devil (Ephesians 6:10–20). Likewise, we are not called to journey to Shechem in order to proclaim God’s blessings and curses from two mountains, but we are called to regular covenant renewal in our weekly attendance at public worship (Hebrews 10:19–25). Perhaps in regard to this topic (covenant renewal) we can consider specific applications regarding the nature of our worship services and our commitment to worship services.