Our Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim

This passage takes place on, and in between two mountains, Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. It is a strange account occurring two or three days after Israel’s victory over Ai. It is easy to miss. It is a short five verses wedged between the more lengthy accounts of Ai’s conquest and the Gibeonite deception. And then it is an unusual account. The nation gathers on both mountains with the priests in the valley. Sacrifices are made, the curses and the blessings of the law are read and the people on Mt. Ebal shout amen at the pronouncement of the curses, and the people on Mt. Gerizim shout amen to pronouncements of blessing. After reading this account many times, I have always wondered, “Why did Joshua suddenly do this?” What is God showing us?