Twin Peaks

When reading Joshua 8 this morning….I read about taking Ai…how God delivered the city Joshua once hidden sin was rooted out. How God was faithful once again and how he had forgiven the Isrealites. But the thing I looked at all day…and came back to, was the mountain. Mount Ebal.
After crossing the river…Joshua built an altar as God had commanded Moses on Mount Ebal. The two mountains overlook the Shomron Valley…amazingly, though right next to each other…the mountains are more a contrast than twins.
Ebal is the taller of the two…rocky terrain and desolate. Gerizim has less height and is densely covered in lush green trees and vegetation. Ebal was know as the mountain of curses, while Gerizim was the mountain of Blessing. According to Deuteronomy, when passing between the mountains, the Isrealites would receive either a blessing or a curse depending on whether they had followed the commandments. The curses of God’s wrath over violations of his commands were delivered here, therefore in God’s economy…it makes sense to build and altar on the Mount of Ebal, so that those cursed could atone for their sins through a sacrifice.
I guess we should never be amazed at God consistency…because it just makes sense. And God made sure this altar was built as soon as they crossed the Jordan. Like any loving parent, God never wants to be angry with his child. But the sin that separates us from the Holy Heavenly Father, must be atoned for.
God thank you for your Son, for your loving us enough to having him come down from heaven, walk this earth for 33 years….sinless…not deserving the death he endured, yet he went….and died for us. God, may we be totally crushed and heartbroken when we forget or take for granted this amazing love.