Committed to the Covenant

Today's Reading: Joshua 8:30-35

Joshua 8:31 (ESV) "just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the people of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, 'an altar of uncut stones, upon which no man has wielded an iron tool. ' And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings."

Following through on my commitments is deeply important to me. The problem is, I have a tendency to overcommit. I say "yes" to too many social plans, or I sign up for more projects than I have time for. Naturally, this leads to things falling through the cracks, and me breaking promises I intended to keep. The cycle of wanting to do it all and do it all well, then failing to do so, doesn't work. But when I pause to think about my priorities and previous commitments, I have a better perspective on what matters and can avoid the unnecessary pressure I put on myself.

Joshua knew better than to rush ahead to the next thing after the battle of Ai. Before he moved on to the next battle, he slowed to a stop. He followed the example of what Moses did before him. (Deuteronomy 27:1-8) Immediately following the victory over Ai, he recommitted Israel to their covenant with God.

Earlier, God's anger burned against Israel because they violated His covenant and took some of the devoted things. (Joshua 7:1; Joshua 7:11) The people needed to be renewed from their sin, and Joshua did as Moses said, step by step. He made the sacrificial offerings, (Joshua 8:31) publicly copied God's law onto new stones (Joshua 8:23) and gathered the people to read the law, including the blessings and curses. (Joshua 8:35) The order was intentional and followed exactly what Moses commanded, down to the location of where the people assembled.

The renewal of the covenant showed Joshua and Israel's gratitude for God bringing them victory. It also reinstated their commitment to obey God's commands as He led them to take the rest of the promised land. This assembly of Israel included outsiders who put their faith in God, and they affirmed the covenant, too.

A covenant requires a commitment. While a covenant is a legal agreement, a commitment is the act of keeping the covenant. Just like Israel, we often fail to commit to God's covenant with us, too.

But Jesus is the true and better covenant.

God made a covenant with Israel (Exodus 20); Jesus made a covenant with His followers. (Hebrews 9:15)

Israel violated the covenant with God (Joshua 7); because Jesus is faithful to God, His followers are counted faithful. (1 Timothy 1:12)

Israel was cursed when they broke the covenant (Joshua 7); Jesus broke the curse for us. (Galatians 3:13)

Israel had to make multiple sacrifices (Joshua 8:30-34); Jesus made one ultimate sacrifice. (Hebrews 10:10)

Israel needed to be made right with God again and again (Joshua 24); Jesus died once for all who would turn and trust in Jesus to be made right with God forever. (John 3:16)

That's why we need to hear the gospel again and again.

The gospel reminds us of the covenant Jesus made with His blood.

The gospel reminds us of our total dependence on Jesus and how we need to give Him our total obedience.

The gospel reminds us to continually recommit to the covenant Jesus made with us.

While we will continue to sin in moments of weakness and fail to keep our commitment to God, we can cling to the covenant made through Jesus' blood. In Him, we don't have to build altars to make sacrifices to be right with God. Instead, we can confidently approach God's throne of grace, knowing He will meet us there. (Hebrews 4:16)

Prayer: God, thank You for the covenant You made with us. You never fail to keep Your end of the promise, even when we fail to commit to ours. We praise You for the gift of Jesus and the ability to keep our covenant with You. You are good and always keep Your promises. In Jesus' name, amen.

More Moments About Joshua 8:30-35

Mount Ebal was the place Moses commanded the people to make an altar once they entered the promised land. (Deuteronomy 27:4-5) The city of Shechem also had a history for the people of Israel. Abraham made an altar there after the Lord appeared to him. (Genesis 12:6-7) Then Jacob bought land there and built an altar. (Genesis 33:18-20) He would eventually build his home in the city, too. (Genesis 35:4)

Theologian David Jackman says these altars were "a visible demonstration that the divine promise had indeed been fulfilled." The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was once again faithful to keep His promises. After hundreds of years, their descendants had finally made it to the promised land.

When we are tempted to think God has forgotten us, or that He is not working, we can look to examples like this in Joshua to be reminded that He is still faithful. While Abraham and Jacob never saw Israel enter the promised land, God still kept His promise to them, down to the smallest of details. And He does the same for us, too.

Major Moment: Joshua reaffirmed the covenant with the people of Israel.

This was originally published in the First 5 app as part of the study of Joshua: Choosing Obedience Even When You Are Afraid.