Altars and Joshua

As we continue on, in our study of altars and facts behind them, we come to Joshua.

From Deuteronomy
27:4 "So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime.

Mount Ebal means a place of cursing. A high place, the Lord was asking that Joshua take it back for Him. In the midst of all the bad stuff (cursing) God is asking us to establish a place for Him. He goes on to tell him to use stones that will be coated with lime or the dust of bones.


27:5 "Moreover, you shall build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron {tool} on them.
27:6 "You shall build the altar of the LORD your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to the LORD your God;

As the Lord moves Joshua further ahead, he asks of uncut stones, natural stones to be used. Nothing "man made about them."

27:7 and you shall sacrifice peace offerings and eat there, and rejoice before the LORD your God.

And then again in Joshua.
8:30 Then Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
8:31 just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones on which no man had wielded an iron {tool;} and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
8:32 He wrote there on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, in the presence of the sons of Israel.

We see that even in the midst of darkness and "cursing" God has called people of God to arise and establish a place for Him. Your family altar or time of devotion may seem impossible or not able to change any thing, but God tells us the "fervent prayers of a righteous person avail much." Your righteousness is in Jesus.

We are working hard here to help you as you move in your desire to be with God.

Here is a list of practical Suggestions That May Be of Help.

1. Search out methods that will appeal to all age levels in the family. Different ages have different interests and what may appeal to one will not appeal to another.

2. Vary the methods so as to keep family time from being boring and from being cold routine. Interest for all should be maintained so monotony does not kill it.

3. Do not make it a time of forced listening to the Bible, of bitter participation, or unhappy endurance while you drone through whole chapters of the Bible beyond family comprehension and then drag the family through a long dry, routine prayer. If they participate in bitterness, they will abhor the family altar time.

4. Make it a delightful, happy, interesting time filled with enthusiasm so that the whole family looks forward to it with real expectancy.

5. Do not make it so long that the children despise the time it takes. Better have it short and sweet, vital and satisfying, so their appetites hunger for more.

6. Let all participate and become involved. Those that can read should take turns in reading as well as in prayer. Even the little tots can say a few words in prayer even if they cannot read. They can be taught songs in which all can take part.

7. Take time for discussion, answering questions, solving problems, and for self expression. All have some. Children especially are inquisitive and want to know.

8. Do not spend time in criticizing or gossiping. There is nothing that will sour the whole thing more than engaging in tearing something or someone apart. This is not time to air church problems unless for a matter of prayer. Make sure that you do not have roast preacher. Remember it is a worship time.

9. Let the children that are old enough conduct the family worship time some time either in the whole or in part. Let them do it their way and express themselves. It will create interest in it for them. This is also a good way to develop them spiritually and in self confidence. They should be encouraged in what they do or say and not be belittled.

10. Have the family altar when it is most convenient for all. Supper time is usually best for all before the various activities of the evening begin.