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[302]
This was the form of political government which was left us by Moses.
Moreover, he had already delivered laws in writing 1
in the fortieth year [after they came out of Egypt], concerning which we
will discourse in another book. But now on the following days (for he called
them to assemble continually) he delivered blessings to them, and curses
upon those that should not live according to the laws, but should transgress
the duties that were determined for them to observe. After this, he read
to them a poetic song, which was composed in hexameter verse, and left
it to them in the holy book: it contained a prediction of what was to come
to pass afterward; agreeably whereto all things have happened all along,
and do still happen to us; and wherein he has not at all deviated from
the truth. Accordingly, he delivered these books to the priest, 2
with the ark; into which he also put the ten commandments, written on two
tables. He delivered to them the tabernacle also, and exhorted the people,
that when they had conquered the land, and were settled in it, they should
not forget the injuries of the Amalekites, but make war against them, and
inflict punishment upon them for what mischief they did them when they
were in the wilderness; and that when they had got possession of the land
of the Canaanites, and when they had destroyed the whole multitude of its
inhabitants, as they ought to do, they should erect an altar that should
face the rising sun, not far from the city of Shechem, between the two
mountains, that of Gerizzim, situate on the right hand, and that called
Ebal, on the left; and that the army should be so divided, that six tribes
should stand upon each of the two mountains, and with them the Levites
and the priests. And that first, those that were upon Mount Gerizzim should
pray for the best blessings upon those who were diligent about the worship
of God, and the observation of his laws, and who did not reject what Moses
had said to them; while the other wished them all manner of happiness also;
and when these last put up the like prayers, the former praised them. After
this, curses were denounced upon those that should transgress those laws,
they ,answering one another alternately, by way of confirmation of what
had been said. Moses also wrote their blessings and their curses, that
they might learn them so thoroughly, that they might never be forgotten
by length of time. And when he was ready to die, he wrote these blessings
and curses upon the altar, on each side of it; where he says also the people
stood, and then sacrificed and offered burnt-offerings, though after that
day they never offered upon it any other sacrifice, for it was not lawful
so to do. These are the constitutions of Moses; and the Hebrew nation still
live according to them.
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