Topical Bible: The Law of Moses: Publicly Read by Joshua

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The public reading of the Law of Moses by Joshua is a significant event in the history of Israel, underscoring the importance of the Law in guiding the spiritual and communal life of the nation. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 8:30-35, and serves as a reaffirmation of the covenant between God and the Israelites.

Context and Background

Following the Israelites' entrance into the Promised Land, Joshua, as the appointed leader after Moses, was tasked with establishing the people in their new home according to the commandments given by God through Moses. The public reading of the Law was a pivotal moment that reinforced the centrality of God's commandments in the life of the nation. This event took place after the Israelites' victory at Ai, a significant military conquest that followed the initial defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7-8).

The Ceremony at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim

Joshua 8:30-35 describes the ceremony where Joshua built an altar to the LORD on Mount Ebal, as Moses had commanded (Deuteronomy 27:4-8). This altar was constructed of uncut stones, and burnt offerings and peace offerings were made to the LORD. Joshua inscribed a copy of the Law of Moses on stones, ensuring that the Law was visibly present to the people.

The assembly included all of Israel—elders, officers, judges, and the entire congregation, including women, children, and foreigners residing among them. This inclusivity highlights the communal responsibility to adhere to the Law. The people were divided between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, as Moses had instructed, to pronounce blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 11:29; 27:12-13).

The Reading of the Law

Joshua read all the words of the Law, including the blessings and the curses, as written in the Book of the Law. Joshua 8:34-35 states: "Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read before the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them."

This comprehensive reading underscores the completeness and sufficiency of God's Law for guiding the nation. It was a public declaration that the Israelites were to live by every word that proceeded from the mouth of God, as previously emphasized by Moses (Deuteronomy 8:3).

Significance

The public reading of the Law by Joshua served several purposes. It was a renewal of the covenant, reminding the Israelites of their identity as God's chosen people and their obligation to live according to His statutes. It also reinforced the unity of the nation under the divine law, transcending tribal affiliations and social status.

Moreover, this event set a precedent for future generations, emphasizing the necessity of regular engagement with God's Word. The public reading of the Law was a means of ensuring that the entire community, including those who might not have direct access to the written Law, was aware of God's requirements and promises.

In summary, the public reading of the Law by Joshua was a foundational moment for the Israelites, reaffirming their commitment to God and His commandments as they settled in the land promised to their forefathers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 8:34,35
And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book 4 Footnotes
... What book of the law was thus publicly read, see the ... express interpretation of this
law of Moses, Deuteronomy 14 ... the days of Josephus of that law, Leviticus 21 ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 4 footnotes.htm

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
... in Israel statutes and judgments." As we are told that he brought the book of the
law of Moses before the congregation and read it publicly, the idea ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The Bible in the Days of Jesus Christ
... Sabbath, to hear the Books of the Law and the ... first recorded words spoken by God
to Moses lay a ... at the first time in which Christ publicly read and explained ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter viii the bible in.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... of Jehovah with them." I think that this is the first intimation, after the death
of Moses, that the law delivered by him had been publicly taught or ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... bent the neck of the Church under the yoke of the law of Moses, sought out in ... one
language, the same interests, or even one religion publicly professed, he ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Bible Canon from the Fourth Century to the Reformation.
... speaking of the books of Moses, Joshua, Judges, Kings ... settled or determined by
ecclesiastical law.(288) Such ... the Septuagint to the class publicly read.(289) Yet ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter vii the bible canon.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... Propheteuo"to prophesy publicly, to expound, to preach, etc. ... selfishness and ignorance
endeavor to prove their arguments from the law of Moses, which was ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me." (xlix, 2.) And this thing
was publicly know, not ... Exodus 19:6.) (4.) Because the law of Moses was to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

Letter cxxxiii. To Ctesiphon.
... nations to die in ignorance of the Law and of ... as the ocean were alike without knowledge
of Moses and the ... the doctrine that I have been taught publicly in church ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxiii to ctesiphon.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... i.). So in the Assumption of Moses the seer looks forward to ... and piety, scrupulous
observers of the ritual and ceremonial law before it was publicly enacted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm