Ebal

Ebal and Gerizim, the mounts of Cursing and Blessing, form the most conspicuous and important summits of the hills of Samaria. This distinction is due partly to their superior height and to their central posi- tion in the whole land, but chiefly to the deep cleft between them which breaks the outline of the long mountain ridge running N. and S. "This natural pass between E. and vV.

, led up to by wheat- growing plains on each side, became inevitably a place of importance both for purposes of commerce and in times of war. The existence of a branch of tlio main road from N. to S. leading through the narrow opening between Ebal and (ierizim, would still further tend to make the locality familiar and important.

It needed only the additional circum- stance of numerous fountains in the fertile hollow where the bases met, to create an Oriental town where the traveller might rest in safety and the inliabitantw would jwissess all that was necessary for man an<l beast. Such a town was the ancient Shechom (Gr. Neapolis, Arab. NablOs), occupying the defile where it is only 150 yds. wide.

This attractiveness and convenience of the place is exempliried in the lives of Abraham and Jacob; the former arriving here on his tir.st entry into the land of Canaan (Gn 12*-'), and Jacob resting at the same spot on hia retom from Paddan-aram (Gn 33'«-»). Ebal and Geriziiu face N. and S., the latter being the more celebrated in religious history, but the N. summit (3077 ft.) being 2U0 ft. higher, and commanding a more free and extensive prospect. 1. View of the Lund from Ebal.

— The beginning of the ascent from Nablfls is over grass of intensest green and enamelled lustre, through irrigated vegetable gardens of rank luxuriance, and under foliage of juicy transparency sparkling in the sun- light—one of the most fertile and picturesque spots in Palestine. Above this, one enters immediately upon the silvery grey of the olive trees, which rapidly become scanty and irregular as the path opens in earnest upon the mountain climb.

Then stony terraces and rocky face, with thistles and thorny shrubs, until the traveller reaches the broad, bare summit, and stands upon the central height of the whole land. Looking N., one sees Mt. Hermon towering aloft in the distance, glimmering with snow-streaked crests beyond the boundary lilain in which lay Abel (Ibl), Baal-gad (Cfesarea Philippi, Banias), and Dan (Tell el-^adi). On the E., rising steeply from the Jordan bed, is seen the long, slumbrous, uniform ridge of Gilead and Moab.

To the S., conspicuous summits can be identified in the neighbourhood of Jems. ; and to the W., beyond the lower hills and patchwork of broad plain, the yellow coast-line sweeps from Jaffa to Carmel. Such a commanding view from such a central point emphasizes at once the limitations of the land and the grandeur of the events that have given it immortality. 2. Religious Connexion.

— One of the most im- portant of those events was the arrival at this spot of Abraham in his journey of faith to the land of Canaan, and his receiving by the terebinth of Moreh a promise from the Lord, ' unto thy seed will I give this land ' (Gn 12'). It was fitting that the fulfilment of the promise, after more than 400 years of waiting and preparation, should receive its great public announcement at the very place where it nad been given.

It was also deeply appropriate that in a land where customs and occupations, scenery and social life, were to be a storehouse of parable and moral teaching to the world, its central heights of Ebal and Gerizim should be baptized into this service and be known as the mountains of Cursing and Blessing. It was accordingly here that Joshua (Jos g"'"') assembled the congregation, and erected the memorial altar according to the command and detailed instructions of Moses (Dt 11«'*> and 27. 28).

In addition to the duty of formal compliance with such a command, there was an inner urgency of the hour that called for such an act of declara- tion and decision. During the past 40 years the Isr. had received the discipline oi adversity : they were now to face the greater temptation of success. The emergency was a suitable one for setting forth the moral regalia of the kingdom, and the re- sponsibilities of its service.

The recent experience at Jericho and Ai had emphasized the plain condi- tions of triumph and failure. Still further the incident of the Gibeonites, and the rumour of confederated opposition, set before them the dangers and difficulties of the work. And so on that memorable day, in the defile between Ebal and Gerizim, the Isr. entered upon the inheritance of the promises in the only way that it can be entered — through the door of complete and con- scious surrender to the will of God.

They were to possess the land, but not for themselves. The assemblage was on a scale of vastness suitable to the moral elevation of the thought. In the central hollow of the hills rested the sacred ark that had so unerringly guided them in their joumeyings^ and was now pointing to the final resting-place ol secure possession.

Up the opposing sides of Ebal and Gerizim, six tribes to each, rising with the mountain slopes and terraces in solid masses where the ground was level, with fluttering groups and sprinklings on points of advantage, all oright colours mingling with the predominant white, the whole congregation of Israel was drawn up — an army in array for the battle of life. It was the Coronation Day of the Moral Law.

God could not do more for His people, and, to invert the familiar phrase, His extremity became man's opportunity. If righteousness could come by law, it might have come then and continued. As the solemn entaU of forfeiture was proclaimed from Ebal, and the bright succession of blessings from Gerizim, the announcement was received with an acclamation of amens. It was a mingling of the two voices of Destiny and Disposition, of Divine purpose and human choice. LlTERATlTRB.

— RobinsOQ, BRP\ Stanley, Sinai and Pal.) Thomson, Land and Book ; Smith, UUt. Geog. ; Murray's and Bsdeker'a Guide Books. Q. M. MaCKIE.