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Day 65 – Thru the Bible
Welcome to Joshua and we continue in Psalms.
Video – Read Scripture: Joshua
How does this video help you understand the book of Joshua better?
Joshua 1 – Though he was not allowed to lead the wilderness generation into the inheritance, Moses is dignified here as “Moses the servant of the Lord”. Joshua himself will inherit this title at the end.
The conditional prosperity God promises must not be allegorized or generalized. It is a promise of health, wealth, and happiness, as long as Israel keeps the covenant. We have to be careful NOT to explore such passages for modern application, as if all aspects of the covenant mediated by Moses were the same as the everlasting covenant mediated by Jesus. Such conditional promises pertain to a specific era in the history of redemption.
Despite the conditional aspect of this covenant, God pledges never to abandon Joshua.
How is this pledge to never abandon us fulfilled by Jesus revealing our everlasting inheritance? Hint: Hebrews 13:5–8.
It is only with the confidence this promise supplies that Joshua can obey God’s call to “be strong and courageous”. How do you remind yourself of this promise in the everyday battles of your life?
Joshua 2 – Two spies are sent to check out the land—the city of Jericho in particular. The judgment of the idolatrous and violent cities in Canaan was prophesied in Genesis 15:13–16 (see Leviticus 18:24–30; Deuteronomy 9:5).
Rahab is not only a Canaanite but a prostitute. Her lie is not only deceitful but treasonous. Yet two New Testament writers commend Rahab for her faith (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25). Far from acting out of “fear,” Rahab confesses her faith in “the Lord” as the true and proper King of this land that her own people have usurped and profaned. Rahab’s faith drives her courageous obedience, in contrast with the earlier generation of the Israelites, who had died in the wilderness because of their lack of faith.
Rahab surrenders her former identity to become part of God’s redemptive story. Her messy moral background is no impediment. In fact, she is included in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5). Rahab also anticipates the justification of Gentiles by faith (Galatians 3:6–9; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).
In short, Rahab is a beautiful paradigm of God’s purpose of grace in human history—taking the outsiders, the unqualified, and using them for his redemptive purposes.
How do you see yourself in Rahab? How does her courage to trust God give you courage to trust God?
Joshua 3 – Through Rahab’s faithfulness, the spies returned with good news. After three days of rest, the Israel is readied for crossing the Jordan in conquest. This echoes the command God gave at Mount Sinai for the people to consecrate themselves in preparation for his appearing before them on the third day in glory (Exodus 19:10–11).
The ark of the covenant (representing God’s very presence) is the banner the warriors follow. It is God’s own mobile throne of conquest, indicating that the provision for Israel is not of their power. Yet God’s people are warned sternly against coming too close to His presence.
Under the New Covenant, how do we experience the opposite of not “coming too close” to God? Hint: John 1:14.
In Jesus, the journey toward rest for God’s people is more complete as God draws near and invites all to come to Him (Matthew 11:28), even touching the unclean and making them clean (Matthew 8:2–3)
At the exodus from Egypt, the Lord made a way through the Red Sea; He now makes a way through the Jordan River into Canaan.
The way to ultimate rest in God Himself is made for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection, as He atones for all our sins.
How are you experiencing His rest today?
Joshua 4 – Twelve men were chosen to take one stone each from the Jordan, representing the 12 tribes and showing that God’s provision had been and would be for every branch of His people.
How is this symbol picked up in the New Testament as Jesus chose those who would bring the gospel to the nations? Hint: Matthew 10:1–15.
As a victorious King, Yahweh commands these 12 representatives to build a monument. The Jordan monument would testify to future generations of Yahweh’s mighty deeds for His people. While nations mark their own imperial triumphs, Israel’s monuments celebrate Yahweh’s victories.
The supreme victory God’s people celebrate today is the mighty deed accomplished in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
How does Jesus’ victory impact your daily thoughts and life?
Psalm 65 – Like any good father, God provides reasons for doing what we are invited to do (Romans 12:1–2). In this case He explains why we should praise and obey him. God “hears” the prayers of those who come to Him (Romans 10:13).
How can God listen to the prayers of sinful people? Hint: Romans 3:23–26.
Unlike false gods, whose promises are mystical and unseen, God has performed His “awesome deeds” of redemption within creation (1 Corinthians 10:1–5). Unlike those philosophies that teach that divine power can be accessed only by transcending physical reality, the believer worships the true God whose decrees are carried out within creation.
Rather than despising the creation and seeking “true spirituality,” the believer looks at the wonders of nature and exclaims, “This is my Father’s world!”
From the New Testament, we know even more precisely what this means. John says not only that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” but that “without Him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1–3). Behind the physical science of rainfall and germination, the believer sees Jesus’ provision of daily bread. And beyond the beautiful vistas of mountains and valleys, meadows and pastures, the believer sees God rejoicing over His good creation, a creation that will one day be perfectly restored and cleansed of all that is fallen.
As you enjoy today in God’s creation, take time to be reminded of this Psalm and see the loving Father who is behind the beauty.
How does creation reveal God’s love to you?
What other thoughts or questions does today’s video and reading bring up?
Some of these notes are from the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible study notes. We highly recommend this study Bible.
Videos produced by www.TheGospelProject.com.
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