Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “there is an accursed thing in your midst.” Hidden among you, O Israel, are things that are despised and rejected by the LORD. God was angry that Israel had not been fully obedient to him in the conquest of Jericho. One of the people, Achan, secretly kept...
The destruction of Jericho demonstrated the kind of warfare that Israel was engaged in. This was no physical assault using the traditional implements of war. This wasn’t a case where the walls fell due to great force being applied. It wasn’t a windstorm, or an earthquake, or the vibrations caused by the trumpets...
Jesus
taught us that “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) In today’s reading we have an example of a humble
man who was exalted by God.
There is a critical moment in every transition from one leader to his/her successor. That moment is characterized by...
The LORD now appears in such a way, and works in such a manner, as to leave no doubt concerning His presence, or His power, or of His love to Israel. Even as God parted the Red Sea for the previous generation, He now stops the Jordan River in flood season so His chosen people can...
After the death of Moses, the LORD began speaking to Joshua, Israel’s new leader. He begins by giving Joshua a great commission – his "marching orders." Joshua must lead God’s people into the Promised Land. Go over the Jordan River and take the Land. Take all of it from the...
Although we don’t know this for sure, it is believed that Moses is the author of Psalm 91 (along with Psalm 90). The Midrash, an ancient commentary on Hebrew Scriptures states that Psalm 91 was composed by Moses on the day he completed the...
The first phrase of today's verse mentions the "eternal" God. The next part talks about His "everlasting" arms. These two words are nearly synonymous, but have a subtle difference in meaning.
“Eternal” means without beginning and without ending and refers to something that...
