Presentation

 From the context and the meaning of Deuteronomy as whole, worship on Mount Ebal (27:1-8) and worship at ‘the place that the Lord will choose…’ (12:5) are not contradictory.
- In its trend to secure the religious future of the Israelites, Deuteronomy puts emphasis on the supremacy of the Lord as well as observance of the commandments.
Upon entrance into the Promised Land, integrity in worshipping the Lord among the Israelites was to be observed. The gods of the nations with their altars and places were but objects to be rejected and destroyed (Deut 12:2-4).
- The point Deuteronomy is making here is not so much about a central sanctuary versus other sanctuaries as it is about Yahwism versus Baalism. The Book underlines an exclusive worship of the Lord in the land where the indigenous population worshipped Baal.
- Thus, there is no permanent guarantee of God’s presence in a particular place.
Evidently, Mt. Ebal was abandoned, and Jerusalem too could fall under judgment.

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