Then Joshua built an altar to Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
Here we have a passage that the critics hate.  The narrative here is denounced as misplaced, unfitting, and "impossible to be true, since Joshua had not yet conquered central Canaan."[25]  What really troubles them is the proof this passage gives of the PRIOR existence of the Mosaic law.  It is a vain criticism that the passage does not belong here; "Here is where it is!"  Furthermore, it belongs here.  As Schaeffer noted, "The victorious Israelites now controlled the northern end of the ridge highway that went south to Jerusalem and Hebron.  Having defeated Ai (and probably Bethel), they could march straight to Shechem over an excellent road that had been there for generations."[26]