Deuteronomy 11:30, commentary and pictures

The verse belongs to Moses' rehearsal of instruction to Israel just before the people entered Canaan. It locates the two mountains across the Jordan to the west, in the land of the Canaanites opposite Gilgal beside the plains of Moreh. Those two prominent heights were where the blessings and the curses were to be proclaimed after Israel crossed the Jordan.

Together with the preceding verse it directs that before taking possession of their inheritance in Canaan the whole tribes must gather on Mounts Ebal and Gerizim at Shechem near the center of the land to renew their covenant loyalty to God by solemn recognition of His law. That renewal was a higher duty to come before driving out the Canaanites to gain homes and lands. The direction was given twice in Moses' last instructions, and it was obeyed after the capture of Ai when military operations were suspended and all Israel, including women, little ones, and strangers, left Gilgal and marched through enemy country unmolested, safe under God's protection while faithful.

The chapter containing the verse sets out God's expressed will and requirements for Israel. It places before the people a blessing if they obey His commandments and a curse if they disobey and turn aside from the way to go after other gods. Its lessons are important for later readers as fully as they were for Israel, indeed of the greatest importance and given to present readers as verily as to the Israelites. God's word in the chapter was verified when disobedient Israel saw only two of the adults who left Egypt enter Canaan while the rest died in the wilderness, showing that He will still vindicate His word today if the leaders of His people depart from His commandments.