February 20 - Joshua 1-4
The book of Joshua starts with God's admonition to Joshua to be strong and courageous, because He will not forsake him. However, there is a strong connection drawn between God's blessing and following His word. Therefore, Joshua and the Israelites are to observe the word of God completely and not turn away from it to the right or to the left.
Then, God puts His stamp of approval on Joshua and shows the people He is directing him by their miraculous crossing of the Jordan river on dry ground. It is similar to the Red Sea crossing, so the people would see the connection to Moses, but it was different in that the priests had to wade into the water before God cut off the waters upstream. That is how God works sometimes. He waits to act until we show our faith in His direction instead of doing His work before we follow His instructions like at the Red Sea. Both times it resulted in the people seeing the great power of God.
The story of Rahab reminds us that even unbelievers can recognize the work of God and put their faith in Him on their own. That is what she did before the spies came. She had heard of the Exodus, and she believed that God must be the true God to do such wonders. Her reaction was to trust Him so much that she risked her life to hide the spies. Therefore, God blessed her faith by saving her family from death in the destruction of Jericho when she put the scarlet cord in the window. It is interesting that a red cord kept her from harm, and it is the blood of Jesus that saves us from harm.
Finally, the crossing takes place, and they take up twelve stones as a memorial to God's miracle. God does not want anyone to forget what He did that day, so they will continue to believe He can do anything. The stones even reminded them of the Red Sea crossing, so there was no excuse for not believing in the awesome power of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 5-8.
Then, God puts His stamp of approval on Joshua and shows the people He is directing him by their miraculous crossing of the Jordan river on dry ground. It is similar to the Red Sea crossing, so the people would see the connection to Moses, but it was different in that the priests had to wade into the water before God cut off the waters upstream. That is how God works sometimes. He waits to act until we show our faith in His direction instead of doing His work before we follow His instructions like at the Red Sea. Both times it resulted in the people seeing the great power of God.
The story of Rahab reminds us that even unbelievers can recognize the work of God and put their faith in Him on their own. That is what she did before the spies came. She had heard of the Exodus, and she believed that God must be the true God to do such wonders. Her reaction was to trust Him so much that she risked her life to hide the spies. Therefore, God blessed her faith by saving her family from death in the destruction of Jericho when she put the scarlet cord in the window. It is interesting that a red cord kept her from harm, and it is the blood of Jesus that saves us from harm.
Finally, the crossing takes place, and they take up twelve stones as a memorial to God's miracle. God does not want anyone to forget what He did that day, so they will continue to believe He can do anything. The stones even reminded them of the Red Sea crossing, so there was no excuse for not believing in the awesome power of God.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Joshua 5-8.