Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.v7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” Genesis 12:6-7 NKJV
“Then all Israel, with their elders and officers and judges, stood on either side of the ark before the priests, the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as he who was born among them. Half of them were in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. 34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and the cursings, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded which Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, with the women, the little ones, and the strangers who were living among them.” Joshua 8:33-35 NKJV
“Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.” Joshua 24:1 NKJV
Eternal Father,
You see history from beginning to end and at times we glimpse Your hand in the circles of life. Seshem. When I first read of it I remembered the promise you gave to Abram about the promised land. Interestingly I remembered about the Terebinth tree and I wondered if it was the only tree of shade in the area.
Sechem where Joshua brought them to renew the covenant as Moses told them to as they began to take the promised land. Shechem where he brought them again to remind them of the covenant and its blessings and curses. Joshua knowing his time was nearly over. Shechem, situated between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. But I don’t think they had to climb them this time.
Mount Gerizim was for blessings and was a terraced more fertile area and Mount Ebal was for curses and was a barren looking area. And Shechem was situated in the middle. They provided visual aids for Your people. They could never say they did not understand. You often give us visual aids for the journey. We see Your blessings and experience ignoring You at our peril. But You no longer curse us Your children. You enlighten us, You direct us if we are willing. You show us the error of our ways if we would heed Your voice. When we come to a Shechem place of decision, help us to clearly see the good choices even when it is not so obvious.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 10th March 2026
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way
still you’re there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear, as long as you are near
please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
I will not forget, Your love for me and yet
my heart forever is wandering.
Jesus, be my guide, and hold me to your side
And I will love you to the end.
Musical Interlude . . .
Nothing will I fear, as long as you are near
please be near me to the end.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You’re the light unto my path
Lyrics: Amy Lee Grant, Michael Whitaker Smith