Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

We begin the first of the books of history in the scriptures. Joshua through Second Kings gives the stories of the rise and fall of the Hebrew nation and culture. Remember we are following this journey chronologically. We will be bouncing around in the different books.

Be strong and courageous is the theme of Joshua 1.  God promises to be with them and defeat those living in the land.  The size and strength of the enemy will not matter.  Joshua gives a three-day warning that they will cross the Jordan.  The fighting men of the Gadites, Reubenites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh will move out with the other Israelites to conquer the land.

This time in Joshua chapter 2 the inhabitants of the promised land are frightened at the thought of being attacked by Israel.  Two spies travel to Jericho and are hidden by a prostitute named Rahab.  In exchange for their safety, they agree to spare her family when the city is destroyed.  She confesses to them that everyone has heard of the crossing of the Red Sea, the defeat of Moab and other miracles that Yahweh has performed.

Do you spread the word of what God has done for you?  Small things can be miracles.  An accident that could have been worse.  Taking a different way of traveling to and from work and hearing of an accident on the usual path is another example.  Just as the stories of the Jews forty years of wandering frightened the Canaanites, our stories can encourage others to accept Christ.

Joshua 3 tells the story of the crossing of the Jordan River.  The differences in this and crossing the Red Sea are interesting.  The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the water before the stream stops.  Because the Jordan is not a sea, but a flowing river at flood stage, the water piles up on only one side.  Moses raised his hand and the sea parted until all the Israelites had crossed.  This time it is the priests and the Ark that trigger the drying up of the river.

Joshua 4 tells about another difference which is the monument of twelve rocks that are taken from the river.  It would be a reminder of the crossing each time they pass the rock structure.  This miracle helps to establish Joshua as the official leader of the Jews.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger