Today's Passage - Joshua 8:30-31

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Joshua 8:30-31   Then Joshua built on Mount Ebal an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses - an altar of uncut stones, on which no iron tool had been used. On it they offered to the Lord burnt offerings and sacrificed fellowship offerings.    In recent years, there was an exciting discovery made by the Bible archeologists. They unearthed an altar in the Mount Ebal that was completely cut from a stone just like what this scripture passage says, and it was built around 1,500 B.C. This discovery further confirmed the accuracy of the Bible. Each time I see these news reports or visit the Holy Land, I am filled with gratitude for God.   Our faith is not some theory that fell from the sky, but it's based on real historical account and historical characters. God has worked throughout human history, and He also speaks to us today through what happened in history. From this perspective, every word in the Bible becomes rather important. Does it matter to us whether Joshua really built the altar on Mount Ebal? It definitely does, because it would prove the accuracy of the Bible. If there's any minor detail in the Bible that is not accurate, it's hard for us to tell others that the Bible is accurate everywhere else. Our faith indeed has a solid foundation, and it's not a fictional story.   At the time, Joshua had no choice but to continue to fight. Actually, there were several towns between town of Ai and Mount Ebal. On the way the Mount Ebal the Israelites probably took some detours to avoid confrontation with the other towns. This means that Joshua didn't simply pass by Mount Ebal, but he purposely chose this particular location at that particular time to build an altar for God for many reasons.   First, he wanted to bring the hearts of the Israelites back before God. Israelites haven't made burnt offerings and fellowship offerings according to the law for a long time. Joshua knew that he was engaged in a spiritual battle, and the most important thing was not how to fight, but whether the Israelites have turned their hearts back to God. Therefore, as a leader, he'd rather stop the plan of attack and take some time to come before God through making burnt and fellowship offerings. Burnt offering represents handing over of authority, and Joshua once again declared that God is the general of the army of Israel. Fellowship offering represents thanksgiving, as he thanked God and praised Him for the grace of God from the past. When his heart remembers God, God always remembers him. If God has a place in your heart, then God will save you a place in His plan of eternity. May God strengthen our faith, and let us live for God in our daily life!   Pray with Pastor Tong       Lord, we thank you because all your words are true. May the Lord help us to turn our hearts towards you; let our eyes not values things on the outside, but to focus on the Lord, and to let your will be done through us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!