Ten Commandments’ moments aren’t simply the words carved into the two tablets. The words themselves do not entirely capture the Ten Commandments’ meaning. The events surrounding the transmission of the commandments are also integral to Ten Commandments’ values. The Mt. Ebal ceremony in the Book of Joshua evidences this assertion.
The Book of Joshua chronologically presents itself as the first post-Torah community. Without the great lawgiver Moses, the Children of Israel are to navigate their lives via the fixed set of laws- the Torah. Joshua, given this circumstance, was presented with a challenge as to how he could perpetuate observance and commitment. The events at Mt. Ebal addressed these concerns in dramatic fashion. At Mt. Ebal, Joshua delivers to the people a third set of the Ten Commandments. Joshua 9:32 reports that after building an altar, Joshua “inscribed there, on the stones, a repetition of the Torah of Moses, which he wrote before the Children of Israel.” Thus, a new set of Ten Commandments- and more- was set in stone for all to view. The Mt. Ebal ceremony continued. It was reported that Joshua “read all the words of the Torah, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Torah. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read to the entire congregation of Israel, the women, and the children and the converts that walked among them.” Joshua 9:34. [note: this bears similarity to Exodus 19, in which the “people” are to be present when the commandments were pronounced. ]
Mt. Ebal’s moment was one of egalitarianism. The world was not to be controlled by the appointed to dictate to the masses. To the contrary, this Ten Commandments’ based society was to be one based upon literacy. All peoples were expected to be versed in the laws, morals, and values of the land. All peoples were invited to read the public document expressing the commandments. Those who could not read were also afforded the opportunity to hear- in totality- the text. Nothing was to be hidden from the entire populace.
This tradition is later followed in the bible. With the return from exile, Nehemiah 8 records that Ezra has an event upon which he reads the Torah to all the people.
In sum, the Book of Joshua’s Mt. Ebal moment illustrates that the meaning of the Ten Commandments extends beyond the tablets.
Be well!!
Please like, follow, share or comment.
The Ten Commandments Project 