Sunday, May 26, 2013

Joshua's first step in Occupy Canaan

In chapter one of the book of Joshua, the Lord commands Joshua--as Moses's successor--to lead His people across the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, the very land He had promised Abraham.

The Lord told Joshua that they are not to be afraid, for He will be with them at all times.

Joshua then gave the Israelites a peptalk, ordering them about how they are to cross the Jordan River and take over the land the Lord had promised them.

Chapter two deals with two spies Joshua sent over to the city of Jericho.  The spies end up at a house of a prostitute named Rahab.  Somehow the king of Jericho learns of the spies and even of their location.  In the meantime, Rahab hides the spies up to the roof, underneath stalks of flax.

The spies then leave, with the promise that Rahab and her family was not to be harmed when the Israelites attack Jericho.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The death of Moses

In chapter 33 of Deuteronomy, Moses proclaims a final blessing to all of the tribes of Israel.  Then, he goes to each one individually and gives them their own unique blessing.  He ends by saying no god is like their God.  God has always been to their defense, and they should always remember that.

Chapter 34, the final chapter of Deuteronomy, deals with Moses's death.

God shows him all of the land He promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Then, Moses died and God buried him in the land of Moab.  Joshua was Moses's predecessor.  The Israelites mourned him for 30 days.

No other prophet in the Bible was a great as Moses.  He spoke to God face-to-face, and performed many miracles.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Moses's final days

In Deuteronomy, chapter 31, Moses tells the Israelites that Joshua will be his successor.  Moses then reassured the people that God was with them and that they will have victories over anyone who tries to challenge them.

God then tells Moses that he will die soon and will never set foot in the land the Israelites were traveling to.  He then warns Moses and Joshua that once Moses is dead the people wil rebel.  They'll worship other false gods.   They will break all of the commandments God has set forth.

Moses then puts together a song that he and Joshua will sing to the Israelites, and in chapter 32 Moses sings the lengthy song.  The song is put together so no one would not remember hearing it.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

God's Laws Revisited

Chapters 19 through 28 in Deuteronomy deals with a rehashing of the various laws that have been spelled out several times.

However, as we've seen several times in the past, people need to be reminded over and over and over and over again . . . because people have a tendency to forget.

Then, in chapter 29, Moses tells everyone about God's Covenant with Israel.  In the end of chapter 30, Moses ends his long speech with the Greatest Commandment: if you love the Lord your God, obey Him and is faithful to Him, you will live long in the land promised to your ancestors.