8:30–35 The first phase of the account of the conquest (6:1–8:35) concludes with the assembly of the people at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim to hear God’s promise of blessing and His warning of curse. This assembly was commanded by Moses (Deut. 11:29; 27:1–13); it shows that the life of Israel, including entry into the Promised Land, is established by the covenant and must be lived under the words of God (v. 34).