Joshua 8  The Lord spoke to Joshua these words, "Do not fear or be dismayed."  He would give Ai to the Israelites now, since they obeyed His word.  Following the Lord's instructions, Joshua sent out 30,000 soldiers to the west of Ai, hidden until the right time. Then the main army approached the city and another 5000 soldiers were set aside for a second ambush.  The plan worked perfectly.  Ai was taken.. all its people were destroyed. Cattle and plunder were allowed this time.  And the Lord gave them complete victory. 

After this Joshua led the people of Israel north about 30 miles.. to the place that Moses had spoken about. Some of the tribes stood on Mt Ebal and some stood on Mt Gerizim.  Joshua built an altar of uncut stones and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings.  He took large stones and wrote on them a copy of the law of Moses.   And "he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse according to all that is written in the book of the law." 

Once again, the people of Israel were taught the Law, they were reminded of their covenant with the Lord who had given them the land.  The victories over Jericho and Ai showed them the blessings that God would give them when they obeyed His Word.  The defeat caused by Achan showed them what would happen when they did not obey the Word of God. 

Moses wrote "Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them." ( Deuteronomy 27:26)  But, to those who would "diligently obey" God's word.. they would be blessed.. "and all the blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the Lord your God." (28:2) 

Jesus taught about the blessings of God.. He called those who were poor in spirit- blessed. He called those who mourn- blessed. He called those who are gentle, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, and who are pure in heart - blessed.  Those who seek God and His kingdom and His righteousness are blessed. Walking in the ways of the Lord, obeying His Word will bring His blessings upon us. Jesus said, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world... for I was hungry and  you gave Me something to eat.. I was thirsty and you  gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in; naked and you clothed Me;  I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."   Likewise, Jesus also taught about those who are cursed.. "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink... (Matthew 25:41ff) Jesus explained that "to the extent" that we treat His brothers.. even to the least of them.. we are treating Him.. our actions towards others matter to Him for they reveal whether or not His love has filled our hearts. 

Father in heaven, may we confirm the Word of the Lord .. all that You have given us.. by doing what You have commanded us to do.. by loving You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength.. and by loving others as You have loved us.  May our words and our actions be honoring to You and bring glory to Your Holy Name.  Strengthen us in the Spirit so that we might love like Jesus loves.. that we might do the things that Jesus did.. that we might serve like Jesus served. We are Your people and we desire to obey and be blessed.. never to fail You.  Come and fill us with Your power from above we ask, in the Name of Jesus Christ the risen Lord. Amen.