(The view expressed in this blog are my own and should not be taken as inspired in any way.)
Joshua 8:30–35, “Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.”
After the battle was won it was time to offer thanks to the Lord God. The first battle in the Promised Land was miraculous so that the Lord could show Israel and the people of the Land that He was with Joshua and would make Joshua prosper as He had made Moses prosper in His work. The Lord had commanded that any altar for offering sacrifices and worship should be built with stones that had not been cut by hand. They were to choose stones as they found them and build the altar. (Ex 20:25, “And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.”) When this was done they offered sacrifices and the used the altar as a pillar on which to write a copy of the Law. This was done so that any person could come and see the Law whenever they wanted to. The Law wasn’t hidden away in a secret place so that only the rulers could refer to it. Everyone was to be governed under the authority of the Law and even the humblest of people would have access to it so that they could not be treated with contempt. At this stage, every person in Israel came together and consented to the Law, as the Lord had given it. They were now agreeing to the contract with complete understanding so that, later, they would not have any excuse if they chose to disobey the Lord.
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