Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Chapter 46
The Blessings and the Curses
This chapter is based on Joshua 8.
After the execution of the sentence on Achan, Joshua was
commanded to gather all the men of war and again advance against
Ai. The power of God was with His people, and they quickly
captured the city.
The people were eager to settle in Canaan, but they had no
homes or lands yet for their families, and to get these they must
drive out the Canaanites. But a higher duty demanded their first
attention--they must renew their covenant of loyalty to God.
Moses' last instructions had included directions to hold a
special service on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim at Shechem, to
recognize the law of God. So, in obedience, the men, "the women,
the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them" left
Gilgal and marched through the country of their enemies to the
valley of Shechem, near the center of the land. Although they were
surrounded by unconquered enemies, "the terror of God was upon
the cities that were all around them" (Genesis 35:5), and the
Hebrews were not attacked or threatened.
Both Abraham and Jacob had pitched their tents in Shechem,
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