Joshua 8:32
And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
The writing upon the stones took place after the judgment upon Achan and the victory over Ai, as Israel gathered in solemn assembly before taking possession of their inheritance. The setting was Shechem, at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, a place already tied to God's covenant dealings with Abraham and Jacob. Joshua assembled the whole people in obedience to Moses' instructions, including women and children and resident strangers, mindful that their only hope was in obedience to God.
The purpose was public recognition of God's law and renewal of covenant loyalty. He rehearsed to them the blessings that would follow obedience to the law and the curses that would fall for disregarding it, and repeated before them the law of the Ten Commandments together with all the statutes and precepts which Moses had recorded. Ebal and Gerizim stood as silent witnesses of the vows made on entering Canaan.
Israel later assembled again at Shechem in Joshua's old age to renew those vows in his presence, surrounded by evidences of what God had done in giving them a land for which they had not labored, and cities which they had not built, and vineyards and olive groves which they had not planted. While Israel remained faithful, God protected them even while traveling among unconquered enemies. He wrought mightily for them and gave their armies fresh courage with every victory.