Moses and the elders commanded Israel to build an altar to God on Mount Ebal (in the promised land), write the words of the Law on it, and provide sacrifices to God. Moses commanded there to be a message of blessing given from Mount Gerizim, and a message of the cursed to be given from Mount Ebal. Between the two mountains was the town of Shechem. The blessing was for those who were obedient to the Law and to God. The curse was for those who disobeyed God and His Law.