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inquire if there is not an Achan in the camp。 With humiliation and searching
of heart； let each seek to discover the hidden sins that shut out God's
presence。
Achan acknowledged his guilt； but when it was too late for the confession to
benefit himself。 He had seen the armies of Israel return from Ai defeated
and disheartened； yet he did not come forward and confess his sin。 He had
seen Joshua and the
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elders of Israel bowed to the earth in grief too great for words。 Had he
then made confession； he would have given some proof of true penitence； but
he still kept silence。 He had listened to the proclamation that a great
crime had been committed； and had even heard its character definitely
stated。 But his lips were sealed。 Then came the solemn investigation。 How
his soul thrilled with terror as he saw his tribe pointed out； then his
family and his household！ But still he uttered no confession； until the
finger of God was placed upon him。 Then； when his sin could no longer be
concealed； he admitted the truth。 How often are similar confessions made。
There is a vast difference between admitting facts after they have been
proved and confessing sins known only to ourselves and to God。 Achan would
not have confessed had he not hoped by so doing to avert the consequences of
his crime。 But his confession only served to show that his punishment was
just。 There was no genuine repentance for sin； no contrition； no change of
purpose； no abhorrence of evil。
So confessions will be made by the guilty when they stand before the bar of
God； after every case has been decided for life or death。 The consequences
to result to himself will draw from each an acknowledgment of his sin。 It
will be forced from the soul by an awful sense of condemnation and a fearful
looking for of judgment。 But such confessions cannot save the sinner。
So long as they can conceal their transgressions from their fellow men；
many； like Achan； feel secure； and flatter themselves that God will not be
strict to mark iniquity。 All too late their sins will find them out in that
day when they shall not be purged with sacrifice or offering forever。 When
the records of heaven shall be opened； the Judge will not in words declare
to man his guilt； but will cast one penetrating； convicting glance； and
every deed； every transaction of life； will be vividly impressed upon the
memory of the wrongdoer。 The person will not； as in Joshua's day； need to be
hunted out from tribe to family； but his own lips will confess his shame。
The sins hidden from the knowledge of men will then be proclaimed to the
whole world。
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Chapter 46
The Blessings and the Curses
After the execution of the sentence upon Achan； Joshua was commanded to
marshal all the men of war and again advance against Ai。 The power of God
was with His people； and they were soon in possession of the city。
Military operations were now suspended； that all Israel might engage in a
solemn religious service。 The people were eager to obtain a settlement in
Canaan； as yet they had not homes or lands for their families； and in order
to gain these they must drive out the Canaanites； but this important work
must be deferred； for a higher duty demanded their first attention。
Before taking possession of their inheritance； they must renew their
covenant of loyalty to God。 In the last instructions of Moses； direction had
been twice given for a convocation of the tribes upon Mounts Ebal and
Gerizim； at Shechem； for the solemn recognition of the law of God。 In
obedience to these injunctions the whole people； not only men； but 〃the
women； and the little ones； and the strangers that were conversant among
them〃 left their camp at Gilgal； and marched through the country of their
enemies； to the vale of Shechem； near the center of the land。 Though
surrounded by unconquered foes； they were safe under the protection of God
as long as they were faithful to Him。 Now； as in the days of Jacob； 〃the
terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them〃 （Genesis
35：5）； and the Hebrews were unmolested。
The place appointed for this solemn service was one already sacred from its
association with the history of their fathers。 It was here that Abraham
raised his first altar to Jehovah in the land of Canaan。 Here both Abraham
and Jacob had pitched their tents。 Here the latter bought the field in which
the tribes were to bury the body of Joseph。 Here also was the well that
Jacob
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had dug； and the oak under which he had buried the idolatrous images of his
household。
The spot chosen was one of the most beautiful in all Palestine； and worthy
to be the theater where this grand and impressive scene was to be enacted。
The lovely valley； its green fields dotted with olive groves； watered with
brooks from living fountains； and gemmed with wild flowers； spread out
invitingly between the barren hills。 Ebal and Gerizim； upon opposite sides
of the valley； nearly approach each other； their lower spurs seeming to form
a natural pulpit； every word spoken on one being distinctly audible on the
other； while the mountainsides； receding； afford space for a vast
assemblage。
According to the directions given by Moses； a monument of great stones was
erected upon Mount Ebal。 Upon these stones； previously prepared by a
covering of plaster； the law was inscribednot only the ten precepts spoken
from Sinai and engraved on the tables of stone； but the laws communicated to
Moses； and by him written in a book。 Beside this monument was built an altar
of unhewn stone； upon which sacrifices were offered unto the Lord。 The fact
that the altar was set up on Mount Ebal； the mountain upon which the curse
was put； was significant； denoting that because of their transgressions of
God's law； Israel had justly incurred His wrath； and that it would be at
once visited； but for the atonement of Christ； represented by the altar of
sacrifice。
Six of the tribesall descended from Leah and Rachelwere stationed upon
Mount Gerizim； while those that descended from the handmaids； together with
Reuben and Zebulun； took their position on Ebal； the priests with the ark
occupying the valley between them。 Silence was proclaimed by the sound of
the signal trumpet； and then in the deep stillness； and in the presence of
this vast assembly； Joshua； standing beside the sacred ark； read the
blessings that were to follow obedience to God's law。 All the tribes on
Gerizim responded by an Amen。 He then read the curses； and the tribes on
Ebal in like manner gave their assent； thousands upon thousands of voices
uniting as the voice of one man in the solemn response。 Following this came
the reading of the law of God； together with the statutes and judgments that
had been delivered to them by Moses。
Israel had received the law directly from the mouth of God at Sinai； and its
sacred precepts； written by His own hand； were
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still preserved in the ark。 Now it had been again writt