April 10th readings

~ Click on this link for today's readings ~
Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24 ~ Luke 13:22-14:6
Psalm 79:1-13 ~ Proverbs 12:26

Old Testament - Today we come to the end of Moses' life in our readings.  And - we come to the end of Moses' writings of the first five books of the Old Testament - the Pentateuch:  Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  I will miss reading Moses' writings - but - we only have to wait until January 1, 2007 when we will all embark on the One Year Bible adventure and Moses' writings once again, right??  :)  An image for Deuteronomy chapter 34 verses 5 through 7 is below - "So Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, just as the LORD had said. He was buried in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever."

Today we embark into the book of Joshua!

~Joshua~
Author: Probably Joshua
Date: Either fourteenth century or twelfth century B.C.
Content: After the death of Moses, the leadership of the nation passed into the hands of Joshua and he was their commander-in-chief throughout the entire time of conquest when Israel was taking over the land. While still in the plains of Moab, Joshua mobilized his forces and prepared them for battle. There were three campaigns fought, one in the north, one in the central region, and one in the south, and all described, though not fully. After the initial victories, the land was divided among the various tribes of Israel. Joshua then exhorted the people and died in peace.
Theme: The book of Joshua shows that God is true to his promise. He had promised his people a land and they were now entering in to possess it. However, it was not automatic; God required of them that they actively engage in warfare in order to gain what he had given them. God's judgment upon the sin of the Canaanites in the form of Israel's armies is also a prominent feature. (Above commentary is from Tyndale Publishers "The One Year Bible Companion" pp. 3-4)More commentary on Joshua is at this link.

Today in Joshua chapter 1 verse 9 we read one of my favorite verses in the Bible – "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."    Incredible verse!  God spoke these words to Joshua just before he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  And I do believe these words can apply to us today in our lives as well.  Do you believe it is possible that God has commanded you to be strong and courageous?  In what areas of your life might you need to really hear this command from God?  Do you believe that God will be with you wherever you go?

In verse 8 – just one verse prior to the verse above – we read –  "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."   How does this verse speak to you today?  Is it possible that you should not let the Bible depart from your mouth?  Do you meditate on the Bible day and night, so that you are careful to do what is written in it?  Do you believe meditating and following the truth of God as described in the Bible will allow you to be prosperous and successful?

Today in Joshua chapter 2 we read about Rahab protecting the two Israelite spies.  Verses 4 through 6 tell us - "Rahab, who had hidden the two men, replied, "The men were here earlier, but I didn't know where they were from. They left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don't know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them." (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath piles of flax.)"

New Testament - Bible.org's wonderful commentary on Luke chapter 13's readings today titled "Striving to Enter the Narrow Door" is at this link.

Psalms - Psalm 79 verse 13 stood out to me today - "Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation."  I like that imagery of being sheep in God's pasture.  And Jesus, of course, is our Good Shepherd.  Are you content with the idea of being a sheep in God's pasture?

Proverbs - Proverbs chapter 12 verse 26 today teaches us: "The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray." This is a great opportunity for us to reflect upon what type of advice or counsel we give to our friends.  Is it wise?  Or are we perhaps subtly leading our friends astray in any way?

What verses or insights jumped out for you in today's readings?  Please post up in the Comments section below!

Grace,
Mike

Comments

[Micah Girl]

The last few days I have been away and got out of my discipline of reading the one year bible. This morning I have caught up on my readings and feel so refreshed!
I wonder what it must have been like for Moses to see the Promised Land and not be able to enter it. How bittersweet. Surely he is relieved that they have arrived, and yet grieved that he, still of good strength, will not be allowed to enter. I imagine that Joshua's integrity and faithfulness are a great comfort to him as we passes on the mantle of leadership to him. Also, he knows that the spirit of wisdom rests on Joshua because he laid hands on him and prayed for him. Leadership is never just leading in the moment, but also preparing the people for the future, including other leaders.

[CB]

I also received great refreshment and encouragement with today's reading in Joshua. It's awesome to know that God will walk right beside us during our daily journey. Now that's a promise!

[Susan]

I fell behind on the OT part of the OYB readings because of my mom's serious illness, hospitalizations, and now her being in a nursing home. Life has really changed. I've kept up the NT, but when I got the email saying that Deuteronomy was over, I decided this was the day to jump back into the OT since Joshua is starting! I'm not trying to catch up - I'm just jumping back in. It's great to be back!

Susan

[Jan]

I love the picture of the Bible giving the "Body" life...His Blood transfused from His Word...gives us all life eternal. It has always been about the "Blood" of Christ. :)

jano

[Anka]

Last sunday I got the nudge for the....time to share my testimony.Got saved in another country,another continent..been with my current church for barely a year.Many people admired my committment,only a few close friends knew my journey.Some times we just concentrate on how narrow the door to heaven is...some people turn their backs on Jesus cos they don't want to be "religious"...a life filled with restrictions...Jesus himself said lets exchange burdens...mine is a lot lighter for you to carry...and no matter how heavy yours is,I can take it(para phrased).People hear of Jesus everyday..yet the think the door is too narrow.I thought I never could be good enough to make it to heaven so why bother...Now God has given me a life more beautiful than I ever could have imagined...I think the "narrow" bit is just letting go..trusting that the arms of Jesus are really wide and comfy...that you'll always be safe there...no matter the storm..
God bless you all
PS..Stef if you any news on Beryl yet...it's been a while...and I forgot your email add :(

[Ramona]

(This is a Long Post)

Deuteronomy 34:1012; Joshua 1-2:24

Random thoughts, or are they Rambling thoughts on today’s Old Testament Readings.

From Deuteronomy:

Moses: drawing out Joshua: Jehovah-saved

Does each of these two men’s names give a clue/hint to their purpose? Moses took them out of bondage by “drawing” them out of Egypt and Joshua took them into the Promise Land, saving them from the wilderness.

Reading how God showed Moses all of the Promise Land from the top of Mount Nebo reminded me of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Both men were in the wilderness, but God showed Moses the Promise Land, and Satan showed Jesus, what already belonged to Him, that which He created, the world.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur. And he said to him, "I will give you all these things if you throw yourself to the ground and worship me." (Matthew 4:8-9 NET.)

Joshua is being handed the reins of leadership at the age of 80, the same age Moses was when he first confronted Pharaoh.

From: Joshua:

A Promise handed down to Joshua—a Promise that is being passed down from one generation to the next. God’s Promises are always generational, He does not operate in an “Us For and No More” mentality in a moment in time.

Being Strong and Courageous is a choice; it is not an emotion or a feeling it is a “being.” Four times in the passage for today, God gives this command to Joshua. Yet this “being” cannot be accomplished in our own strength. After all the “armor” for battle is on, we are to take heed to the Apostle Paul’s’ admonishment:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10 KJV)

God repeats Himself over and over again for a reason—we are a stiff-necked, hearing but non-listening people just like Israel. Not only does God repeat Himself, we are given an example through Joshua to mediate to think on the “Book of the Law continually.”

Rahab:

Rabah had the same information that many in the city of Jericho had, especially the political and “religious” leadership. As a prostitute, she was more than likely the beneficiary of a great deal of “pillow talk” and from a historical prospective and the warnings in the Book of Proverbs we know many men have fallen because of there associations with “wanton” women. Yet, this woman came to a conclusion that saved her life, she recognized that Israel’s God was the true God.

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. (Joshua 2:9-13 KJV)

Rahab heard about Israel’s God and it softened her heart to receive Him. Yet, that same information caused the political powers to not only shut up the gates to the city but shut up their hearts to the Truth of Israel’s’ God.

Rahab, as one who never experienced God for herself but only had heard about Him, corrals her entire family into the Kingdom of God. While Lot, Abraham’s Nephew couldn’t even excite his own family to get out of Sodom, they, along with Him had to be dragged out and away from destruction (Genesis 13). Lot was in a position to not only benefit from the Blessings bestowed upon his Uncle, Abraham, he clearly experienced the God of Abraham just be being a member of the household yet we see two different responses.

Conformation:

God gives us a Word, a Promise and He repeats it over and over again not only throughout a forty year travel in a desert, but for four-hundred plus years His Word of a Promise has been interwoven in the lives of His People because of one man, Abraham. And like Joshua when it is time to take hold of that Promise we seek confirmation from an outside source, our five senses. If we don’t feel it, taste it, see it, hear it and smell it, we don’t believe it. Either we don’t really think we have heard from God or the adversary, the devil, cries out in our hearing of our unworthiness.

My prayer for each and every person that proclaims the name of Christ that we step into all that Christ Has secured for us while He hung on that Cross. May the resurrection power that raised Him from the dead infuse us with boldness to not only obtain our Promise but maintain it once we secure it. In Jesus’ Might and Glorious Name, Amen and Amen.

Grace and peace to everyone,
Ramona

[John]

Joshua
1:4
"Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west."

God gave Israel 300,000 sq miles. The most they ever claimed was 30,000 sq. miles. - J. Vernon Mcgee

Today Israel occupies roughly 10,000 square miles. What percentage do Christians today have of the "spiritual blessing of Christ" referred to in Eph.1:3. Not the health and wealth doctrine, but the kind of full spiritual blessings Andrew B. referred to in a past post regarding the Holy Spirit and realizing our full potential in Christ.

The instructions to Joshua perhaps indicate what we should be doing as modern Christians: Be strong, courageous, move forward, and have the Word on thy lips, meditate on it, and obey. (The last not because we have to, but because we should want to as believers with a regenerated heart.)

[John]

Joshua 2
Rahab
God again picks a hero with flaws, a person of low class distinction to carry out his plan. The "harlot" believed in the God of Israel and acted on her faith. She is listed in the "by faith "passages with Abel, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, etc. in Heb. 11:31

"By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient."

Rahab also one of five women mentioned in the geneology of Christ.

Matthew 1:5
"Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,...."

How many times do people today say, 'I believe in the gospel, but I need to clean up my life a little before I come to the Lord'? (I said this to a Christian once before I was saved.)

Rahab didn't. Neither should "man". Repent, turn to the Lord, Accept Christ, and then with a regenerated heart allow your life to be cleaned up.

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Joshua 2:10-11

We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

In Genesis 15:16 God told Abraham 'not yet' - referring to the land of Canaan - for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure. That was 420 years before the Red Sea crossing.

Another forty years passed after the "Crossing".

The Canaanites had 460 years to turn back to God. In the last forty years they had heard of his power and authority. THEY NOT ONLY HEARD IT, but they believed it according to Rahab.

"...for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

For all those people (skeptics of the Bible, atheists, some Christians) that think God of Old Testament is cruel, barbaric and blood-thirsty: How long should God have given the Canaanites?

God had revealed himself. God did not destroy a people that had not heard about him, and consequently (at least some) believed in his existence. While Rahab believed and acted on her faith, the rest of the city went into lock-down and prepeared to resist. That division is still apparent today regarding belief in Christ.

We have been given 2,000 years to believe in Christ and accept salvation. How much longer will God wait? When judgment comes will the actions of God be any less just and righteous than it was to the Canaanites?
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I assume everyone gets the Scarlet thread reference regarding Rahab and her house :)

[Anka]

nope not really...does the scarlet thread signify blood?:))meaning the blood by which we receive salvation ?