What significance does Shechem hold in Israel's history and covenant relationship with God? Gathering at Shechem—Joshua 24:1 “Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem; he summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.” At the close of Joshua’s life the entire nation meets at Shechem, the place that has been woven into Israel’s story for centuries. Why here? Scripture answers by showing how repeatedly, at critical moments, God brought His people back to this same valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. First Altar, First Promise—Genesis 12:6-7 • The very first place Abram entered after crossing the Jordan was Shechem. • “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘I will give this land to your offspring.’ So Abram built an altar there to the LORD.” • Shechem therefore became the inaugural marker of God’s covenant promise of land and descendants. Land Purchased for Worship—Genesis 33:18-20 • Jacob returned from exile, “arrived safely at Shechem,” bought a parcel of land, and “set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel” (God, the God of Israel). • By purchasing ground, Jacob staked a permanent, covenant-rooted claim in the very spot where God had promised the land to Abraham. City of Refuge and Levitical Center—Joshua 20:7; 21:21 • After the conquest, Shechem was appointed both a city of refuge and a Levitical city. • These designations reinforced its identity as a place of mercy, justice, and continual instruction in God’s Law. Mountains of Blessing and Curse—Deuteronomy 27; Joshua 8:30-35 • Moses commanded Israel to recite blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses on Mount Ebal, the twin heights flanking Shechem. • Joshua carried this out: he built an altar on Ebal, read “all the words of the Law,” and the nation affirmed covenant obedience in the very same valley. Covenant Renewal with Joshua—Joshua 24:1-27 • Joshua’s final act of leadership renews the covenant where it began. • He recounts God’s faithfulness from Abraham to the present conquest, calls the people to exclusive loyalty, and sets up a great stone “under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the LORD” as a witness. • The physical stone, like the valley itself, stands as a testimony binding Israel to their sworn allegiance. Bones of Joseph—Joshua 24:32 • Joseph’s dying request was to be buried in the promised land (Genesis 50:25). • “The bones of Joseph…were buried at Shechem.” The burial links the patriarch’s faith to the place of fulfilled promise, underscoring God’s unfailing covenant reliability. Echoes in Israel’s Later Story • Judges 9: Abimelech’s bloody bid for power at Shechem shows the tragedy of covenant neglect. • 1 Kings 12:1, 25: Rehoboam is crowned, the kingdom splits, and Jeroboam fortifies Shechem—reminders that decisions made here still shape national destiny. Why God Chose Shechem for Covenant Moments • Geographic crossroad: centrally located, easily accessible to all tribes. • Historical layers: every return to Shechem evoked Abraham’s altar, Jacob’s purchase, and the law proclaimed between the mountains. • Symbol of choice: blessings on one side, curses on the other—Shechem visually presses Israel to choose fidelity or rebellion. • Witness of permanence: altars, stones, graves, and cities of refuge all declare that God’s covenants are anchored in real space-time history. Personal Takeaways: Walking in Covenant Faithfulness • Remember where God has met you; let past mercies shape present obedience. • Keep public reminders—like Joshua’s stone—that testify to God’s works. • Choose daily between Gerizim and Ebal, blessing and curse, life and death (Deuteronomy 30:19). • Let every gathering for worship echo Shechem’s call: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” |
    |