The day when Israel took possession of the Promised Land quickly approached. Moses commanded that Israel be gathered at Shechem’s valley between Mount Ebal and Gerizim when that day finally came. At Mount Ebal the people were to set up large stones, coat them with plaster, and inscribe the entire Law upon them (Deut. 27:2-4). In addition to the stones with the Law inscribed, they were to erect an altar made of stones in order to offer burnt offerings, and sacrifices peace offerings to the Lord (Deut. 27:4-8).
What’s more, half of the tribes of Israel were to stand upon Mount Ebal and pronounce curses for disobeying the Law. The other half were to stand upon Mount Gerizim and pronounce blessings for obeying the Law (Deut. 11:29-32; 27:11-26). The people were to shout “amen” after each curse and blessing were pronounced.
In Genesis there were two trees in Eden: The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. One tree symbolized life, and the other symbolized death. Adam could cling to the Tree of Life and live, or eat from the other and die. Adam, like the rest of his offspring, chose the wrong tree. Even today man stands in the valley of decision between curses and blessings. You could choose to obey God’s commands and live, or disobey His commands and die.
Joshua, many years later, stood in the valley between Mount Ebal and Gerizim and said, “choose you this day whom you will serve” (Jos. 24:15)! The choice is yours. Will you choose to serve the Lord and receive His blessings? Or will you choose your own way and receive His curses? My friends, choose life!