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Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12; Joshua 1:1-2:24<\/strong><\/span> Allright, I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m getting a little teary eyed reading about Moses\u2019 final blessings of the tribes today!\u00a0 It reminded me of Jacob\u2019s blessings of his sons in <\/span>Genesis Chapter 49<\/span> \u2013 though, it seems to me that Moses\u2019 blessings were a bit more positive overall than Jacob\u2019s, no?\u00a0 Jacob\u2019s were a bit more realistic though perhaps\u2026 as we\u2019ll read later this year in the Chronological Bible.\u00a0 The other thing about reading Moses\u2019 final blessings of the tribes today that makes me sad is the realization that we are in the 2nd to last chapter of the Pentateuch! (The first five books of the Bible \u2013 the books of the Law.)\u00a0 Tomorrow we\u2019ll read about the death of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 34 and then it\u2019s onto the Promised Land with Joshua!<\/span> An image is below for Moses\u2019 blessing of the tribe of Joseph in verse 17: \u201cJoseph has the strength and majesty of a young bull; his power is like the horns of a wild ox. He will gore distant nations, driving them to the ends of the earth. This is my blessing for the multitudes of Ephraim and the thousands of Manasseh.\u201d\u201d <\/em>(I\u2019m not sure why the image below says \u201cunicorn\u201d \u2013 it doesn\u2019t look like a unicorn to me! \ud83d\ude42<\/span> Today we come to the end of Moses\u2019 life in our readings!\u00a0 \u00a0And \u2013 we come to the end of Moses\u2019 writings of the first five books of the Old Testament \u2013 the Pentateuch:\u00a0 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.\u00a0 I will miss reading Moses\u2019 writings \u2013 but \u2013 we only have to wait until January 1 next year\u00a0when we will all embark on the Chronological Bible adventure and Moses\u2019 writings once again, right??\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 An image for Deuteronomy chapter 34 verses 5 through 7 is below: \u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/em><\/span> Today we begin the book of Joshua!<\/span><\/p>\n ~Joshua~<\/strong> Today in Joshua chapter 1 verse 9 we read one of my favorite verses in the Bible \u2013 \u201cHave 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.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Incredible verse!\u00a0 God spoke these words to Joshua just before he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.\u00a0 And I do believe these words can apply to us today in our lives as well.\u00a0 Do you believe it is possible that God has commanded you to be strong and courageous?\u00a0 In what areas of your life might you need to really hear this command from God?\u00a0 Do you believe that God will be with you wherever you go?<\/span> In verse 8 \u2013 just one verse prior to the verse above \u2013 we read \u2013\u00a0 \u201cDo 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.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 \u00a0How does this verse speak to you today?\u00a0 Is it possible that you should not let the Bible depart from your mouth?\u00a0 Do you meditate on the Bible day and night, so that you are careful to do what is written in it?\u00a0 Do you believe meditating and following the truth of God as described in the Bible will allow you to be prosperous and successful?<\/span> Today in Joshua chapter 2 we read about Rahab protecting the two Israelite spies.\u00a0 Verses 4 through 6 tell us: \u201cRahab, who had hidden the two men, replied, \u201cThe men were here earlier, but I didn\u2019t know where they were from. They left the city at dusk, as the city gates were about to close, and I don\u2019t know where they went. If you hurry, you can probably catch up with them.\u201d (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them beneath piles of flax.)\u201d<\/em><\/span> Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in Joshua reminded me of Switchfoot\u2019s song \u201cMeant to Live:\u201d<\/span>
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
Author<\/span>: Probably Joshua
Date<\/span>: Either fourteenth century or twelfth century B.C.
Content<\/span>: 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<\/span>: 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\u2019s judgment upon the sin of the Canaanites in the form of Israel\u2019s armies is also a prominent feature. (Above commentary is from \u201cThe One Year Bible Companion\u201d pp. 3-4)<\/em>More commentary on Joshua is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span>