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Reflections on Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24
Saying Goodbye Deuteronomy 34
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/jordan/mount-nebo.htm "View of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo"
http://bibleatlas.org/full/beth-baal-peor.htm Beth-baal-peor is likely near Heshbon
http://net.bible.org/map.php?map=map8 topographical map of Mount Nebo and Heshbon and the valley of Moab.
Although Moses ascended Mount Nebo and Pisgah to see the promised land, Deuteronomy 34:6 claims he was buried on the plains of Moab which would eventually lie within the tribal boundaries of Gad (again, note that Gad is seen as a commander in reflection of Moses being buried within his land). Certainly as He was dead, this portion of Deuteronomy was written by someone else at a later date as the statement "but to this day no one knows where his grave is" is also found in verse 6. His age and countenance served as a last testament to the miracles God wrought through this man.
With Moses' death, the Pentateuch (5 books of Moses) have come to an end. These books also represent the Jewish Torah. The memorial of Deuteronomy 34:9-12 remains solid as not even Jesus claimed to have the apparent face to face conversations that Moses claims to have had with God. Joshua had received his blessing and was now prepared to lead the people in the conquest of the Holy Land.
Introducing a Life of Discipleship Joshua 1:1-9
And so we begin. There is no certainty as to the authorship of the book of Joshua, yet it grants a history and biography of Joshua's leadership of Israel until the time of His death. Tradition and the Hebrew Bible attribute the authorship to Joshua. They see him not only as an historian, but also as a prophet. It is generally assumed the later chapters regarding his death were written by the Priests Eleazar and Phinehas. It may be worthy to note that although Joshua showed military prowess and excellent leadership, God brought the people into the land of Canaan as He had promised. What would follow would depend upon the faith and steadfastness of the people.
Interpretations of Joshua's role in Moses' camp was one of personal (assistant, aide, minister, servant...). Joshua was generally present within the tent when Moses received the word of the Lord. Joshua 1:1 begins with God speaking to Joshua also. Joshua had complete confidence in success as He had carried that strong faith since the moment he had spied out the promised land some 38 years before. He had been the representative if the tribe of Ephraim and joined Caleb, representative of the tribe of Judah in suggesting the people go in at that time. (See Numbers 13).
The territory of conquest would reach to Lebanon and the Euphrates river of Aram on the north, west to the Mediterranian Sea.
As we have understood the law to be "Love God + Love Man" through Jesus interpretation and ministry, it may seem difficult to imagine that God would implant such a law of love for man into the hearts and minds of the Israelites as they set out to destroy entire people groups within the land of Canaan. This certainly brings up the call for battle in the name of religion yet today and represents quite strongly the confusion of scripture. However, as there was an Old Covenant understanding and a New Covenant understanding, God was fully aware that the people of Joshua's day would understand the law in such a way as to conquer the Holy Land and make it Holy. Throughout History, however, Israel has come to realize that the Lord fought their battles for them in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. After Jesus refocussed the law on Love, refining previous understandings of even this Holy Law, modern man has no excuse to use such scripture in conquest and destruction of flesh. (see more in my commentary on Psalm 79 below)
Paul changed our focus as Christian soldiers in Ephesians 6:10-13 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
In this battle and as we contend with the appearance of physical forces of evil and adversity today, we can take the encouragement of Joshua 1:7-9 to heart. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 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. 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."
A Time of Preparation Joshua 1:1-11
Joshua began his conquest of the promised land delegating authority just as Moses had been mentored. The people were to cross over the Jordan to claim God's promises. As is common within the Kingdom of God, they entered into a three day period of preparation of their provisions and consecration before the Lord.
Genesis 34:25 "Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, took their swords and attacked the unsuspecting city"
Genesis 40:13 "Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you "
Genesis 42:17 "And he put them all in custody for three days."
Exodus 3:18 Let us take a three-day journey into the desert " (Ex.5:18, 8:27)
Exodus 10:23 "No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived." (Exodus 10:22)
Exodus 15:22 "For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water."
Numbers 10:33 "they set out from the mountain of the Lord and traveled for three days" (Num.33:8)
Joshua 1:11 "Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own."
Joshua 2:16 "Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way." (Joshua 2:22)
Joshua 3:2-3 "After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: 'When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.'"
Joshua 9:16 "Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them."
Judges 14:13b-14 "'Tell us your riddle,' they said. 'Let's hear it.' He replied, 'Out of the eater, something to eat; out of the strong, something sweet.' For three days they could not give the answer."
Judges 19:4 "the girl's father, prevailed upon him to stay; so he remained with him three days, eating and drinking, and sleeping there."
I Samuel 9:20 "As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found."
I Samuel 20:19 "The day after tomorrow, toward evening, go to the place where you hid when this trouble began, and wait by the stone"
I Samuel 30:12 "He ate and was revived, for he had not eaten any food or drunk any water for three days "
I Samuel 30:13 and 15 "I am an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite. My master abandoned me when I became ill three days ago...David asked him, 'Can you lead me down to this raiding party?' He answered, 'Swear to me before God that you will not kill me or hand me over to my master, and I will take you down to them.'" (sounds almost like 'legion' in Mark 5:7b) "Swear to God that you won't torture me!"
II Samuel 20:4 "Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself"
II Samuel 24:13 "Shall there come upon you three years of famine in your land? Or three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you? Or three days of plague (sword of the Lord) in your land? Now then, think it over and decide" (I Chronicles 21:12)
I Kings 12:12 "as the king had said, 'Come back to me in three days.'" (I Kings 12:5, II Chronicles 10:5 and 10:12)
II Kings 2:17 "he said, 'Send them.' And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find him." (Elisha had sent the men to know the truth about his master so that they would know Elijah was no longer there, but had ascended into Heaven and that God had given Elisha his blessing to carry on his ministry.)
I Chronicles 12:39 "The men spent three days there with David, eating and drinking, for their families had supplied provisions for them."
II Chronicles 20:25 "There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it."
Ezra 8:15 "we camped there three days. When I checked among the people and the priests, I found no Levites there."
Ezra 8:32 "So we arrived in Jerusalem, where we rested three days."
Ezra 10:8 "Anyone who failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property"
Ezra 10:9 "Within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed by the occasion and because of the rain."
Nehemiah 2:10b -12a "they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men."
Esther 4:16 "Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Amos 4:4-5 "'Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. (Or tithes on the third day) Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings - boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,' declares the Sovereign Lord."
Johah 1:17 "Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights." (Matthew 12:40)
Jonah 3:3 "Nineveh was a very important city - a visit required three days."
Luke 2:46 "After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions."
Matthew 15:32 "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." (Mark 8:2)
John 2:16-19 16To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!' His disciples remembered that it is written: 'Zeal for your house will consume me.' [Psalm 69:9] Then the Jews demanded of him, 'What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'
Mark 14:58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'"
Matthew 27:40 "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" (Matthew 26:61, Mark 15:39)
Matthew 27:62b-63 "the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 'Sir,' they said, 'we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.''"
Mark 9:31-32a "He said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.' But they did not understand what he meant" (Mark 8:31, Mark 10:34)
Acts 9:8-10a "Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple"
Galatians 1:15-18 shares that after his conversion, Paul spent 3 years in preparation before going back to Jerusalem and beginning his missionary work.
Acts 17:2 "As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures"
Acts 25:1 "Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem"
Acts 28:7 "There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably."
Acts 28:12 "We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days."
Acts 28:16-17a "When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers..."
Revelation 11:11 "And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them."
Lord Send Me Joshua 1:12-18
Some of the children of Israel had already received their promise. Interestingly, this follows the verse on three days and there were 2 1/2 tribes. Realizing their inheritance, they were not allowed to sit idly by as the rest of the congregation continued in battle, achieving the full harvest. In fact, verse 14 claims they were instructed to lead the people. This reflects again the prophecy of Gad as commander of the forces in Deuteronomy 33:21. May our Lord find our response is as theirs was in verse 16; "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go."
Our Protector, Our Deliverer Joshua 2:1-7
Joshua sent two spies into the land of the adversary - a land of giants. They went into the enemies stronghold to document their weaknesses. They went into a sinner's home and found even there, the protection and love of the Lord as Rahab the harlot protected them from harm.
Through the words of Rahab, the spies found that the Spirit of God had already been at work within the promised land - and that the people there held God's chosen people, even God Himself in awe, fear, and reverence. In Jesus day, the evil spirits also stood in awe and reverence and were obedient to the command of the Lord. Today, we will find the world is ready for everlasting peace and God has prepared the hearts and minds of the world to enter with us into the promised land. Our responsibility is to reach out with His spirit of Love in our hearts and minds. We must not be afraid to talk about Love, Joy, and Peace. We must be strong and of good courage and follow His command to go out and preach His gospel - God Loves you and has paid the penalty for your sin. He alone has allowed your access to his throne and there is nothing you can do to shake His Love. Go and sin no more.
This sinner's (Rahab's) only request was the same as the call from every man to those who consider themselves Children of God; "'please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.' 'Our lives for your lives!' the men assured her" (Joshua 2:12-14a)
When we devote ourselves to the Lord's service, the adversary can mount a serious attack on our lives. This was envisioned by Christ's parable regarding the sower of Matthew 13:1-9, Mark 4:1-9, and Luke 8:4-8) Again, the concept of 3 days preparation comes up as it is good for all of us to withdraw to a solitary place and be alone with God so that we can be strengthened through such times of danger, and continue on with the task at hand.
As I envision the scarlet cord in Rahab's window, I am immediately brought back to the sacrifice of the birds and of the Red Heifer (Leviticus 14 and Numbers 19). In both instances, there was a scarlet cord which quite obviously represented the blood of Christ shed for the sinners of the world. His blood was shed not only for these spies, but for Rahab and her whole family. These children of God recognized that salvation in reference to Rahab and stated in verse 17 ""This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us." Are you willing to trade your life for your rebellious child? Would you pay the penalty for a man on death row to bring glory to God in symbolism of your understanding of salvation? What would it cost you in regards to eternal life? How many lives would be saved through your sacrifice? And yet, Christ died for me, a common sinner saved by His grace.
And yet there is a reminder in Joshua 2:19, that if we mix into the world come judgement, we too shall fall prey. This is not unlike the night of passover when the household covered by the blood of the lamb was passed over, yet the house of the Egyptian was condemned. Within each of our lives, if we let our purity slip - if we are found in sin, we too will be judged. This judgment not only comes from God, but from our fellowman. The King James version states I Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." If we mingle the blood of Christ with the sin of the world in our own actions and behaviours, our testimony is tarnished and we will face judgment from God and man. For this reason also, Matthew 7:1 advises us "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
Following three days of solitutude the adversary could not find the children of God. They then returned to the camp of the chosen and prepared for their conquest. This is the third time we have dealt with the three days in today's reading. Having offered life for life for the sinner, the Child of God has entered a time of purification and preparation to withstand the adversary. They have been protectected from the adversary under the shadow of His wings and are prepared to conquer the lands held hostage by the adversary as they follow the Spirit of God, alive and well within His Kingdom. We too may lay claim to their assurance of verse 24 "The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands;"
Psalm 121:1 "I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:7-8 "We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Reflections on Luke 13:22-14:6
Jesus teaching form Luke 13:24 corresponds with the story Matthew shared in Matthew 7. As Matthew shared this teaching, it followed his teaching on "do not judge", don't worry about the speck in your brother's eye, don't throw pearls to swine, pray earnestly, trust in the Lord, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. All of these teachings of Matthew 7 speak of getting along with our fellowman. As all of us know, the road to peace is narrow indeed! And yet, according to Luke 13, this road to peace provides entry to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus answer to the question is quite evasive leaving all of us concentrated on serving within His Kingdom. As always, there is danger that comes with the assurance of eternal life. This was seen within the Kingdom of Israel as those who felt they were chosen pushed out those who were alien to their culture. A certain pride and arrogance set in as they imagined an entitlement and sat in judgment upon their fellowman. Therefore, Jesus spoke directly to them as He placed words in the mouths of those outside the door. "We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets." (vs 26). Many today continue to question if what they have done is enough! The answer from scripture appears to be no, nothing you do will ever be enough; It is only what He has done in grace and mercy because of His love for your soul that you have been saved! If you are worried, learn more about Him so that you might believe. Then go and do what God commanded from the beginning of time. Love God + Love Man. Choose today what you believe; A God of Love and a Prince of Peace? Or a God of wrath and judgment who needs you to treat this world in like manner. Who do you expect to meet on judgment day? What can you possibly do about it? Do not be a worker of iniquity. What is to become of the sinner and the saint?
In today's reading of Joshua 1 and 2 we discussed the importance of "three days". Here in Luke 13:32 it pops up again as Jesus responds to the threat of death by the rulers of this world. (vs 32) "I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal." It may well be that the Pharisees outside of Jerusalem knew of the plot of their leaders in Jerusalem to destroy Jesus as Herod governed in Galilee and had already expressed an interest in seeing Jesus. And yet, he had been the one to kill John the Baptist. Needless to say, Jesus continued on the road to Jerusalem and the death He knew He must die by the religious and political leaders of His day. They would kill Him and he would return to Galilee where He would ascend into Heaven. We await fulfillment of His prophecy of that day when all of Jerusalem will bow the knee and every tongue in Jerusalem leads the world in that glorious confession; "Blessed is He who came and who comes in the name of the Lord!"
In a similar story to that of Luke 13:10, Jesus again heals on the sabbath in Luke 14:1-6. However as this story follows the concern of the local Pharisees, Jesus shows a bit more compassion to their theological views asking them to share their opinions before the healing. Perhaps they were aware of the history of condemnation relating to their belief and kept their mouths silent. Jesus gave them a logical argument reflecting their own concerns and actions regarding loved ones. He had not only justified healing on the Sabbath, but had given a strong statement about the Love of God as the man was symbolized as God's son.
Reflections on Psalm 79:1-13
Psalm 79 is another "Psalm of Asaph" written within the Babylonian captivity after the destruction of Solomon's temple.
Had I not just blogged on Luke 13:1, "there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices," and Jesus response in Luke 13:5, "unless you repent, you too will all perish," I might treat Psalm 79 a bit differently. As it is, the Psalm expresses a lament, a frustration, a sadness, and a hopelessness of the evil mankind has inflicted upon one another over the millenium. Hopefully, we will be able to take away a lesson from old theologies and understandings and remove such vile attitudes against one another with a greater understanding through the all encompassing Love of God.
The prophet Isaiah claimed the word of God in Isaiah 45:5-6 to be "I am the Lord, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other."
The Bible even speaks of the beginnings of ancient mythology in Genesis 6:4 "The Nephilim were on the earth in those days - and also afterward - when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown."
The whole of the Bible tells of the beginnings of man and the beginnings of man's religions and hostilities. Those hostilities are very visible even within scripture such as Psalm 79 and dare I say the writings of the early church leaders. They can continue to divide us, or we can acknowledge they are there and learn from this teaching. In light of ancient mythology although there is only one God who showed Himself to the world through Israel; In light of Christ's teachings that unless the Jews of his day repented of their sins, they would face judgment like any Gentile; In light of the fact children of God are instructed in Mark 16:15 to "preach the good news to all creation"; Given the fact we can all claim that our names are written in God's word of life through Adam; the fact "the nations" of Psalm 79:1 is rendered "the heathen" in the King James version and the Revised Standard Version would be representative of of our differences in ideologies and theologies. Truly, the nations have entered into Israel's inheritance. Truly, the purity of Holiness has been defiled both by Israel and by the nations as we claim to know God.
We have trampled upon the graves of all of our brethren who have suffered and died at the hands of men who felt they honored God by spilling the blood of our brethren upon the earth. We have defied the very peace of our King. All this for the sake of Zion, Jerusalem, His Holy dwelling. Psalm 1 tells us where to begin in the rebuilding of His Kingdom. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither."
Truly, religion - all religions on earth have become a mockery, a taunt from our neighbors as we have attempted to thrive on wrath and judgment in anticipation of complete and utter destruction at the hand of a Loving God who gave His only begotten's life for all men. We have imagined this God to be angry - and yet it has been us all along. His refining fires have been at work cleansing our souls in peace until the next tragedy causes us to rise up with a vengeance to destroy one another like a hillbilly scuffle! Hundreds of thousands have died as entire people groups suffer harm for the actions of individuals who knew not what they were doing. As Man calls for God's vengeance on their enemies, God calls for man's Love towards their enemies. And man cries out "My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?"
How can God forget the sins of our forefathers until we fall to our knees in repentance and stop commiting those same sins? What more can be said except to stop immortalizing a Psalmist who condemns His brethren and understand the heart of the man? In answer to the Psalmist's lament, He sent His only begotten Son who virtually yelled to us that the heart of the law was not legalistic righteousness, but Love, Joy, and Peace! They Biblical author's all wrote of it as He inspired them, but few understood their message and we continue to struggle today.
We can join with the Psalmist as He prays for deliverance in Psalm 79:8-11; "Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. Why should the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die."
They say religion is dead - and well it might be! They say we should not espouse a 'feel good' God, but the fruits of His Spirit allow me no other choice! Return oh God to the hearts of your children as we honor you through Love, Joy, and Peace with our fellowman. Turn back those ideologies and theologies that have kept us separated from thy Love. Feed us through your word with more of the fruits of your Spirit as we choose to honor you with Joy and Thanksgiving from this time forth and forevermore.
Reflections on Proverbs 12:26
Note the footnote would change this proverb to "A righteous man is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
As exclusive theology sees the rest of the world as wicked, heathen, and foreign, it is not surprising the interpreter chose "cautious in friendship" instead of "guide to his neighbor". For fun, check out the different interpretations of this verse as it says a lot about interpretative theologies.
Certainly, we should be aware of evil in our world and protect one another from evil. Certainly, the guilty should be taken out of society and placed in prisons and jails. Certainly, such jails and prisons should have counselors and guides within the safety of those walls. And certainly, we should be praying for freedom from those held in captivity from such evil. Truth is, we are all possessed and in need of purification and refinement. Are you willing to guide your neighbor and allow them to guide you? Be a friend, stop being so cautious.
Until Tomorrow
Rick
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