Shechem

In the Old Testament there was a fortified city in the middle of Palestine located on the outskirts of a fertile plain. Trade routes and roads converged there. With regard to worship, this location was replete with altars, built by men in the name of Jehovah.

Abraham came first in about 2000 B.C. As he was about to receive the land of promise he stopped at this place. God appeared before Abraham and made a covenant with him regarding his descendants (Gen. 12:6,7). Abraham built an altar.

Jacob came to the same spot some years later. After being estranged from his brother Esau over blessing and birthright, Jacob arrived in this place just having made up with his brother. He erected an altar to God and called it El Elohe Israel, which translates, "God, the God of Israel" (Gen. 33:18-20). Jacob also built a deep well while there. The Son of God later talked to a Samaritan woman at this well (John 4:12).

Next came Joshua with the Israelites during the Caanan conquest. Having been given the victory by God, Joshua made his last statements before his death to the Jews in this plain. There was a renewal of the covenant, complete with sacrifices and the reading of the Law (Josh. 8:30-35). The ceremony had a very symbolic meaning. The Israelites had just been on Mt. Gerazim where they were told of the blessings of keeping the covenant. They had also been on Mt. Ebal where they were warned of the curses of not keeping the Law.

They now stood with Joshua in Shechem. The place of Abraham's promise and Jacob's well. The land between the two mountains. The plain between a blessing and a curse. Joshua took this opportunity to speak to their hearts. He told them they had to make a choice (Josh. 24:15).

Today, we are not so far from Shechem. We are in the land of eternal promises. We are near the well of living water. We are in the plain between eternal blessing and eternal punshment. We also have a choice to make. The correct choice is obvious. The time is at hand. So get your stones together and start building your altar. For our God is a consuming fire.

"Choose you this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)