The Book of JOSHUA - Chapter Three

Crossing the Jordan

1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.’

5 Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’

6 Joshua said to the priests, ‘Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.’ So they took it up and went ahead of them.

7 And the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so that they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: “When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.”’

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, ‘Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. 12 Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe. 13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord – the Lord of all the earth – set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.’

14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is in flood all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Word by Word Meditations

by Fred Ursell

Joshua 3: “distance” (v.4)

The “distance” ordered (not just suggested) was “1000 yards between you and the ark” (v.4) – much greater than the 6 feet recommended over the Covid pandemic, and for a very different reason. The priests were carrying the ark, and the rest were following. 

Note: 

[A] “move out … and follow” – i.e. be guided by God, not running ahead or choosing our own route; 

[B] “then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before” – we are novices who need to learn; 

[C] “keep a distance … do not go near” – to develop reverent obedience towards him. Let’s keep our distance!

=-=-=-=-=-=

READINGS

The Book of JOSHUA

Chapter Three

Read by David Suchet 

The Book of JOSHUA 

Read by David Suchet

=-=-=-=-=-=

OVERVIEW

The Book of JOSHUA

Overview

(The Bible Project) 

=-=-=-=-=-=

STUDY - LINKS

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 1

(David Pawson) 

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 2

(David Pawson) 

The Israelites Cross the Jordan

-=-=-=-=-

 

The Book of JOSHUA - Chapter Two

The Book of JOSHUA  - Overview 

(The Bible Project) 

Rahab and the spies 

1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. ‘Go, look over the land,’ he said, ‘especially Jericho.’ So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

2 The king of Jericho was told, ‘Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.’ 3 So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: ‘Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.’

4 But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, ‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. 5 At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.’ 6 (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) 7 So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, ‘I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 When we heard of it, our hearts sank and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

12 ‘Now then, 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 13 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.’

14 ‘Our lives for your lives!’ the men assured her. ‘If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.’

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 She said to them, ‘Go to the hills so that the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there for three days until they return, and then go on your way.’

17 Now the men had said to her, ‘This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.’

21 ‘Agreed,’ she replied. ‘Let it be as you say.’

So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

22 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. 23 Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, ‘The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.’

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

Joshua 2: “scarlet” (vv.18 & 21)

The two spies had braved great personal danger on entering Jericho. They were spotted, and the  city’s king was informed exactly which house they’d gone into. Soldiers were sent to arrest them; however Rahab ran a huge risk by hiding them, and claiming they’d already left. 

They arranged a “sure sign” (v.12). She would tie a “scarlet cord” (vv.18 & 21) from the window of her house on the city wall. This would mark it and protect all her family inside. “Scarlet” is the colour of blood, and exactly as at Passover symbolises how we are saved by faith. Jesus’ blood spares our blushes!

=-=-=-=-=-=

READINGS

The Book of JOSHUA

Chapter Two 

Read by David Suchet 

=-=-=-=-=-=

STUDY - LINKS

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 1

(David Pawson) 

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 2

(David Pawson) 

-=-=-=-=-

Rahab and the Spies

The Book of JOSHUA - Chapter One

The Book of JOSHUA  

- Overview (The Bible Project)- 

Joshua installed as leader 

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: 2 ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the River Jordan into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates – all the Hittite country – to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 ‘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. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 ‘Go through the camp and tell the people, “Get your provisions 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.”’

12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 ‘Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, “The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.” 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan towards the sunrise.’

16 Then they answered Joshua, ‘Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!’

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

Joshua 1: “courageous” (vv.6-7, 9 & 18)

What is the key factor to be “successful” (vv.7-8) in life?  Especially as the Lord’s follower the vital component is for him to back you by his presence, protection and promotion. The Israelites told Joshua “be strong and courageous” (v.18), but merely in parrot fashion. They soon showed they had not really learnt how to yet themselves. 

If God says the same thing 3 times (vv.6-7 & 9), it’s because it’s very true. He even emphasises “very courageous” (v.7). 

The problem is that we don’t ‘get it’ straightaway.  In our heart, not just our head. If youhave  not got it – get it!

=-=-=-=-=-=

The Book of JOSHUA 

Chapter One

Read by David Suchet 

-=-=-=-

The Courage to Face Difficult Tasks 

Dr. Charles Stanley

  

Be strong and courageous  

John piper

=-=-=-=-=-=

STUDY - LINKS

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 1

(David Pawson) 

- The Book of JOSHUA - Part 2

(David Pawson)  

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Joshua becomes  Leader  

The Book of HAGGAI - Chapter Two

1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 2 ‘Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,” declares the Lord. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the Lord, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the Lord Almighty. 5 “This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.”

6 ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord Almighty. 8 “The silver is mine and the gold is mine,” declares the Lord Almighty. 9 “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,” says the Lord Almighty. “And in this place I will grant peace,” declares the Lord Almighty.’

Blessings for a defiled people

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Haggai: 11 ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Ask the priests what the law says: 12 if someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?”’

The priests answered, ‘No.’

13 Then Haggai said, ‘If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?’

‘Yes,’ the priests replied, ‘it becomes defiled.’

14 Then Haggai said, ‘“So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,” declares the Lord. “Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.

15 ‘“Now give careful thought to this from this day on – consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple. 16 When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty. 17 I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,” declares the Lord. 18 “From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: 19 is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig-tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.

‘“From this day on I will bless you.”’

Zerubbabel the Lord’s signet ring

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 ‘Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

23 ‘“On that day,” declares the Lord Almighty, “I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,” declares the Lord, “and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,” declares the Lord Almighty.’

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

Haggai 2: “ninth” (v.10)

Haggai’s prophetic book is very precise about timings. The very first “word of the LORD” that came “through” [N.B. not ‘from’] him was “in the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month” (1 v.1). Even though general apathy had reigned previously, they got cracking with the work on God’s house just 23 days later (1 vv.14-15).

Two further messages came “on the 24^th day of the ninth month” (vv.10 & 20). From start to finish, under 4 months. Despite criticism he now promised “from this day … I will bless you” (v.19). 

Do you ‘jump to it’ when God speaks?  Then good for you!

=-=-=-=-=-=

The Book of HAGGAI

Read by David Suchet 

HAGGAI - Overview 

(The Bible Project)

- The Book of HAGGAI - 

(David Pawson) 

Haggai Chapter 2

Dr Baruch Korman

-=-=-=-=-=-

The Book of HAGGAI - Chapter One

HAGGAI - Overview  

(The Bible Project)

 

 A call to build the house of the Lord

1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest:

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘These people say, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.”’

3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your panelled houses, while this house remains a ruin?’

5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured,’ says the Lord. 9 ‘You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labour of your hands.’

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.

13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: ‘I am with you,’ declares the Lord. 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month.

The promised glory of the new house

In the second year of King Darius …

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

Haggai 1: “holes” (v.6)

Strange thing happens when the Lord’s people act as if they were independent and unaccountable. “You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it” (v.6). Just rotten luck?  Or poor money management?  Or wrong priorities – seeking your own interests, rather than God’s (v.4)?  

When we know we owe it to him to be holy (head, heart and hand), we will have fewer “holes” in our purse, pocket, wallet or bank account. Count on it!   

=-=-=-=-=-=

The Book of HAGGAI

Read by David Suchet  

=-=-=-=-=-=

STUDY - LINKS

- The Book of HAGGAI - 

(David Pawson) 

Haggai Chapter 1

Dr Baruch Korman

-=-=-=-=-=-