From Joshua 23-24:
1. Joshua reiterated the message that was in Deuteronomy 28 and 31 regarding the blessings and curses. It is amazing, after all the things that the Israelites saw and all the many times that they were warned, that they still did not comply with God's word.
2. All the earth goes this way - Joshua says he is about to go the way of all the earth, meaning he is about to die. I guess I never thought of it that way, but it is true. All the earth is heading towards death - every living thing. It is amazing that I still see articles today that claim that we are getting closer and closer to immortality. Even in bible times, God said that our lives would be seventy or eighty years. So things have not really changed since the time of Moses. So really our lifespans are not getting any longer. In fact, it is becoming more common to see people living a shorter time due to all of the additives in food, or the pollution in the water / air, or whatever else. If one does research, they will likely find that those who live longer lives usually grew up out in the country and were away from all our supposed "high tech" medical advances, etc.
3. One very famous phrase is frequently quoted from this passage. "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua was at the age where he realized he could not influence the Israelites or force them. However, he pretty much said that regardless of what the rest of the Israelite nation did, he was going to follow.
4. One hundred and ten years old! Joshua was one of the few lucky ones to live to such an advanced age. I cannot recall anyone after him who lived much beyond 100.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Monday: Can I go home already?
From Joshua 20-22:
1. I have commented before on the interesting nature of how law was instituted in Israel, such that anyone who accidentally killed someone else was required to flee to a city of refuge. I wonder what happened after the High Priest died. The person accused gets to leave and is free to go back home. But suppose that the avenger is still angry about that situation - what happens if he kills that individual? Does he have to flee, or what?
2. Can I go home already? - Finally, Joshua allowed the "trans-Jordan" tribes to go back to their homes and families, since they had overcome the enemies of Israel on the other side of the Jordan river.
3. It is interesting that the "trans-Jordan" tribes set up the altar by the Jordan. It was a very wise move on their part to do this, and to look ahead thinking about their relationship with their fellow Israelites.
1. I have commented before on the interesting nature of how law was instituted in Israel, such that anyone who accidentally killed someone else was required to flee to a city of refuge. I wonder what happened after the High Priest died. The person accused gets to leave and is free to go back home. But suppose that the avenger is still angry about that situation - what happens if he kills that individual? Does he have to flee, or what?
2. Can I go home already? - Finally, Joshua allowed the "trans-Jordan" tribes to go back to their homes and families, since they had overcome the enemies of Israel on the other side of the Jordan river.
3. It is interesting that the "trans-Jordan" tribes set up the altar by the Jordan. It was a very wise move on their part to do this, and to look ahead thinking about their relationship with their fellow Israelites.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sunday: Come on - snake eyes!
From Joshua 16-19:
1. Joshua was very wise with his words. When the tribes of the descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and complained about not having enough land, he offered to them some land that had yet to be conquered. They argued some trying to get him to give them (presumably) some of the already conquered and subdued land by using the argument that they were a larger group of people. So Joshua agreed that they were stronger and larger, and therefore had the capacity to be able to subdue those who had yet to be conquered.
2. Come on - snake eyes! - I wonder how Joshua cast lots for these areas of land after the men of Israel had mapped them out. They must have had to first identify a number of tracts of land in order to cast lots for them.
3. I wonder what area the Danites attacked since they could not easily take possession of the territory that was allotted to them.
4. It is nice to see that Joshua got a small town for himself. After all, he led them to conquer all of these foreign kings and such. It seems such a pity that Moses was not able to share in this wonderful joy. (Though I am certain there was quite a bit of work to do owning one's own town.)
1. Joshua was very wise with his words. When the tribes of the descendants of Joseph came to Joshua and complained about not having enough land, he offered to them some land that had yet to be conquered. They argued some trying to get him to give them (presumably) some of the already conquered and subdued land by using the argument that they were a larger group of people. So Joshua agreed that they were stronger and larger, and therefore had the capacity to be able to subdue those who had yet to be conquered.
2. Come on - snake eyes! - I wonder how Joshua cast lots for these areas of land after the men of Israel had mapped them out. They must have had to first identify a number of tracts of land in order to cast lots for them.
3. I wonder what area the Danites attacked since they could not easily take possession of the territory that was allotted to them.
4. It is nice to see that Joshua got a small town for himself. After all, he led them to conquer all of these foreign kings and such. It seems such a pity that Moses was not able to share in this wonderful joy. (Though I am certain there was quite a bit of work to do owning one's own town.)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Saturday: To this day?
From Joshua 13-15:
1. It is interesting that God lists off some areas that still need to be conquered by the Israelites, but then goes on to say that the area of the Sidonians - that God himself will drive them out before the Israelites.
2. In Chapter 13 it specifically mentions the fact that the Israelites killed Balaam son of Beor.
3. All of the detail as to the exact inheritance given to the Israelite tribes by God ought to identify that this is indeed a historically factual and authentic record. Otherwise there would not likely be as much detail.
4. It is interesting that the land of Hebron was given to Caleb and it says that Joshua blessed Caleb. It also says that the land then had rest from war. I wonder if this is referring to Hebron because now Caleb is the owner, or if this is more of a general statement about the entire land of Canaan. Because it later talks about Caleb going to war for his alloted land.
5. I am not certain why it went into such detail about the one person who won Caleb's daughter and then how Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. Why do we need to know this? What is significant about it?
6. To this day? - It records in chapter 15 at the end of the chapter that "living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah." This has to mean that this passage was written before David conquered it and made it the capital of the nation.
1. It is interesting that God lists off some areas that still need to be conquered by the Israelites, but then goes on to say that the area of the Sidonians - that God himself will drive them out before the Israelites.
2. In Chapter 13 it specifically mentions the fact that the Israelites killed Balaam son of Beor.
3. All of the detail as to the exact inheritance given to the Israelite tribes by God ought to identify that this is indeed a historically factual and authentic record. Otherwise there would not likely be as much detail.
4. It is interesting that the land of Hebron was given to Caleb and it says that Joshua blessed Caleb. It also says that the land then had rest from war. I wonder if this is referring to Hebron because now Caleb is the owner, or if this is more of a general statement about the entire land of Canaan. Because it later talks about Caleb going to war for his alloted land.
5. I am not certain why it went into such detail about the one person who won Caleb's daughter and then how Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. Why do we need to know this? What is significant about it?
6. To this day? - It records in chapter 15 at the end of the chapter that "living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah." This has to mean that this passage was written before David conquered it and made it the capital of the nation.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Friday: Put your feet on their necks
From Joshua 10-12:
1. It must have been amazing to be on Joshua's (God's) side during the battle recorded in chapter 10. Not only the fact that the sun stood still (seems impossible, but it is God we are talking about), but also the fact that God used giant hailstones so that He killed more than the Israelite army in total.
2. Put your feet on their necks - It is interesting that Joshua used the five kings to illustrate how God would help the armies of Israel to defeat their enemies.
3. It states in chapter 11 that God hardened the hearts of all the nations in Canaan so that they would go to war against the Israelites. Thus, the Israelites could fully destroy these other nations.
4. It says that Joshua waged war against these kings for a long time. I wonder, is that referring to the long time that it took to fight all of them totally, or is he saying that each one took a whole lot of time? It sure seems like they are going through pretty quickly to me.
5. Thirty one kings were taken! Wow, that is definitely a gift from God. No nation could possibly do this without God's strength.
1. It must have been amazing to be on Joshua's (God's) side during the battle recorded in chapter 10. Not only the fact that the sun stood still (seems impossible, but it is God we are talking about), but also the fact that God used giant hailstones so that He killed more than the Israelite army in total.
2. Put your feet on their necks - It is interesting that Joshua used the five kings to illustrate how God would help the armies of Israel to defeat their enemies.
3. It states in chapter 11 that God hardened the hearts of all the nations in Canaan so that they would go to war against the Israelites. Thus, the Israelites could fully destroy these other nations.
4. It says that Joshua waged war against these kings for a long time. I wonder, is that referring to the long time that it took to fight all of them totally, or is he saying that each one took a whole lot of time? It sure seems like they are going through pretty quickly to me.
5. Thirty one kings were taken! Wow, that is definitely a gift from God. No nation could possibly do this without God's strength.
Thursday: What a great example!
From Joshua 7-9:
1. It seems unfair that some of the Israelites had to die because of the sin of Achan. It was pretty graphic though. Just think of it: One man takes some stuff that he covets. Then, due to his sin, not only do thirty six brave warriors have to die, but also Achan's entire family (wife, children, etc.) Perhaps we ought to think harder about how many people will be affected by our sinning against God. Many times we just consider what we want, disregarding God's commands. But what we forget is that our sin not only affects us, but also those we love and others around us. Consider a man who murders another due to jealous rage. He must then sit trial and be incarcerated, which not only affects his family profoundly, but also affects all the taxpayers who must pay to keep him incarcerated.
2. I would also imagine that one of the reasons that the family was destroyed along with Achan is that many times the head of the household (apparently he was) has taught his children by his actions as well as his words. Therefore it is very possible that his children would continue in his ways due to his poor example. In our country today many people have lives of crime due to the examples of their parents before them. Why do depressed areas of any city continue to be depressed? Because there continues to be crime, from generation to generation.
3. What a great example! - After capturing Ai, the Israelites had access to Mount Ebal and they built the altar that was supposed to be built there, where some of the tribes were to pronounce the curses of the Lord if the Israelites did not keep the covenant that they had with the Lord. It is neat that after the successes that the Lord was giving Joshua, he did not forget the Lord or his long-standing commands given through Moses earlier in Deuteronomy 27. It says that Joshua followed the instructions just as Moses had given them.
4. Regarding the Gibeonites, the Israelites should have followed their first instinct. They also should have consulted God on it. God had originally commanded them to make no treaties with the nations in Canaan.
5. I guess, if given the choice, I would rather be a woodcutter or water carrier than to be dead. So from the standpoint of the Gibeonites, I can see why they would choose this option.
1. It seems unfair that some of the Israelites had to die because of the sin of Achan. It was pretty graphic though. Just think of it: One man takes some stuff that he covets. Then, due to his sin, not only do thirty six brave warriors have to die, but also Achan's entire family (wife, children, etc.) Perhaps we ought to think harder about how many people will be affected by our sinning against God. Many times we just consider what we want, disregarding God's commands. But what we forget is that our sin not only affects us, but also those we love and others around us. Consider a man who murders another due to jealous rage. He must then sit trial and be incarcerated, which not only affects his family profoundly, but also affects all the taxpayers who must pay to keep him incarcerated.
2. I would also imagine that one of the reasons that the family was destroyed along with Achan is that many times the head of the household (apparently he was) has taught his children by his actions as well as his words. Therefore it is very possible that his children would continue in his ways due to his poor example. In our country today many people have lives of crime due to the examples of their parents before them. Why do depressed areas of any city continue to be depressed? Because there continues to be crime, from generation to generation.
3. What a great example! - After capturing Ai, the Israelites had access to Mount Ebal and they built the altar that was supposed to be built there, where some of the tribes were to pronounce the curses of the Lord if the Israelites did not keep the covenant that they had with the Lord. It is neat that after the successes that the Lord was giving Joshua, he did not forget the Lord or his long-standing commands given through Moses earlier in Deuteronomy 27. It says that Joshua followed the instructions just as Moses had given them.
4. Regarding the Gibeonites, the Israelites should have followed their first instinct. They also should have consulted God on it. God had originally commanded them to make no treaties with the nations in Canaan.
5. I guess, if given the choice, I would rather be a woodcutter or water carrier than to be dead. So from the standpoint of the Gibeonites, I can see why they would choose this option.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Wednesday: A promise kept
From Joshua 4-6:
1. It is interesting that the Israelites held Joshua in high esteem from the day that the Israelites crossed the Jordan. This is due to the fact that in chapter three (from yesterday) in verses 5 and verse 9 Joshua gave all the credit to God and very clearly stated to the Israelites that God was going to do great things. (He was not seeking his own glory, and because of this, God exalted him.) This corresponds directly with what it says in James 4 - Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.
2. It is neat that the Lord had one person from each tribe to collect a rock from the bed of the Jordan River to make a commemorative monument for the Israelites to see. God wanted them to not only remember, but have something to show their descendants to remind them of how powerful the Lord is.
3. In chapter five it talks of the Israelites being circumcised. That must have been painful. I watched my oldest get circumcised, and it was hard to watch. The nurse said that she had seen grown men faint when they saw this done. I can't imagine having to have that done as an adult. The pain!!! It sure is a good thing that God caused all of the nations around to tremble with fear and not go out to fight - otherwise it would have been tough for the Israelites.
4. Joshua must have known that the individual that he encountered was of otherwordly origin, since he did not even question the statement that the guy made about being the commander.
5. A promise kept - It is great to see that the Israelites kept their promise to Rahab. In this day and age, it seems that no one keeps their promises, especially with regard to war-related promises. Mankind becomes more and more ruthless and hateful.
6. After the city was burned, Joshua proclaimed that if the city were rebuilt, it would be at the cost of his firstborn and youngest children. (It seems to indicate that he would lose all of his children through this process.)
1. It is interesting that the Israelites held Joshua in high esteem from the day that the Israelites crossed the Jordan. This is due to the fact that in chapter three (from yesterday) in verses 5 and verse 9 Joshua gave all the credit to God and very clearly stated to the Israelites that God was going to do great things. (He was not seeking his own glory, and because of this, God exalted him.) This corresponds directly with what it says in James 4 - Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.
2. It is neat that the Lord had one person from each tribe to collect a rock from the bed of the Jordan River to make a commemorative monument for the Israelites to see. God wanted them to not only remember, but have something to show their descendants to remind them of how powerful the Lord is.
3. In chapter five it talks of the Israelites being circumcised. That must have been painful. I watched my oldest get circumcised, and it was hard to watch. The nurse said that she had seen grown men faint when they saw this done. I can't imagine having to have that done as an adult. The pain!!! It sure is a good thing that God caused all of the nations around to tremble with fear and not go out to fight - otherwise it would have been tough for the Israelites.
4. Joshua must have known that the individual that he encountered was of otherwordly origin, since he did not even question the statement that the guy made about being the commander.
5. A promise kept - It is great to see that the Israelites kept their promise to Rahab. In this day and age, it seems that no one keeps their promises, especially with regard to war-related promises. Mankind becomes more and more ruthless and hateful.
6. After the city was burned, Joshua proclaimed that if the city were rebuilt, it would be at the cost of his firstborn and youngest children. (It seems to indicate that he would lose all of his children through this process.)
Tuesday: The waters piled up!
From Joshua 1-3:
1. Wow! Joshua gets extended a very handsome promise. God said he will be with Joshua all the days of his life and anywhere he sets foot will become the property of the Israelites. No conditions attached. Although he does say he needs to be careful to obey the law in order to be successful. So I guess it is implied conditions.
2. Rahab was a very wise woman. She converted to follow the God of Israel there when the spies were present. She did this by acknowledging that the God of the Israelites was God of heaven above and earth below.
3. The waters piled up! - It is amazing how the Lord stopped up the Jordan. Since I pass over the Ohio River almost every day, I can easily imagine the Jordan River. However, I have trouble imagining the water stopping and piling up somewhere. That is a whole lot of water!!!
4. I like how Joshua states that when they see what God does with the Jordan River, it shows them that He will be with them as they conquer the nations living within Canaan. He does not give any credit to himself. Very nice!
1. Wow! Joshua gets extended a very handsome promise. God said he will be with Joshua all the days of his life and anywhere he sets foot will become the property of the Israelites. No conditions attached. Although he does say he needs to be careful to obey the law in order to be successful. So I guess it is implied conditions.
2. Rahab was a very wise woman. She converted to follow the God of Israel there when the spies were present. She did this by acknowledging that the God of the Israelites was God of heaven above and earth below.
3. The waters piled up! - It is amazing how the Lord stopped up the Jordan. Since I pass over the Ohio River almost every day, I can easily imagine the Jordan River. However, I have trouble imagining the water stopping and piling up somewhere. That is a whole lot of water!!!
4. I like how Joshua states that when they see what God does with the Jordan River, it shows them that He will be with them as they conquer the nations living within Canaan. He does not give any credit to himself. Very nice!
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