Month: October 2024

When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (Chapters 5-6)

Four days after crossing into Canaan the Israelites celebrated passover, their first home cooked meal in 40 years.  The manna ceased and God sent His invisible army to encourage and direct Joshua. The covenant was renewed among a new generation by means of circumcision.

The first threat to Israel’s inhabitance was Jericho, a fortified city. It must be removed and God alone took this victory.  Israel’s part in the battle was obedience and worship, God’s Heavenly Army did the rest. Can you imagine being a resident of Jericho while the Israelites marched to victory? Encircling troops, blasting trumpets and a silent infantry seemed an unusual maneuver, but a believer’s battle is won in ways that are not designed by man’s calculations. The only survivors were Rahab and her family.

Archaeological revelations indicate that about 1400 B.C. Jericho was leveled and peculiarities and evidence has been found that coincide with the Biblical narrative. (I’m not surprised, just wanted to share.) Dr. John Garstang, director of the British School of Achealology in Jerusalem, 1929-36, found stored food stuffs beneath the double walled fortress. It is odd that these precious commodities were not pillaged by survivors, except there were none and Israel had no need of non-kosher food. 

When God moves it is unique to His love, justice and power. Wrapped in His faithfulness we find our peace and security. It’s okay to expect a miracle, it is the essence of God’s presence in our life.

Happy Halloween!

Gretchen

He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ Joshua 4:21-22 (Chapters 3-4)

God once again parted deep water, first the Red Sea and now the Jordan River at flood stage, so that His people could move toward His promise. 1400 years later, Jesus stepped from these same banks, into this same river and was baptized.

It was spring time when two altars were erected using stones from the middle of Jordan’s river bed, one at the new encampment where Israel first stepped into their forever home and another marking the place the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant as the people crossed the waters safely.

Monuments of faith are an important part of victorious Christian living. We must look back to remember and know God’s divine intervention so we can move forward with determination and confidence.  This is our hope, the foundation of great faith and obedience. Build altars, return to them often, worship and tell your children.

Love,

Gretchen

When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is the God in Heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11 (Chapters 1 and 2)

Joshua was born in Egypt and was Moses’ right hand man during the exodus. Out of the twelve men sent into Canaan on a reconnoissance mission, only Caleb and Joshua were faithful enough to suggest advance. As a result, they were the only two original Hebrews to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua is commissioned by God Himself and in his initial instructions is told repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous. I will never leave or forsake you.”  Joshua was a strong and faithful leader, an example to Christians leaders today.

Rahab was probably a Canaanite priestess, which would have involved being a temple prostitute, but in her immoral culture, her social status would have been high and even honorable. Upon hearing and witnessing the miracles surrounding the journey of the Israelites, Rahab made the choice to risk everything and follow the God of these people. Because Rahab chose faith, and protected the secret spies Joshua had sent into Jericho, her entire family came under God’s protection, symbolized by a scarlet thread tied in her window. Finding a permanent home with Israel, she is listed as a hero of faith. Rahab married Caleb’s son Salmon and became the grandmother of Boaz, making her an ancestor of King David and Jesus.

Looking back across history everything fits together like a well carved puzzle. Is it coincidence? No it’s grace. From harlot to woman of heroic character, God’s mercy extends and grace exceeds the need.

Have a perfect Tuesday!

Gretchen

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 Chapters 31-34)

Moses speaks these words to the entire Jewish nation, then directly to his successor, Joshua. God then calls these two men to His tent of meeting and tells them what is going to happen when His people ‘prostitute themselves to other gods.’  He will hide His face from them.

The last three chapters of this second book of law highlights the rebellious, stiff necked nature of man. A heart hardened against the Sovereign God has only one ending, death. But these last words of Moses, given him by God, are packed full of hope for those that do, indeed, persevere in faith. Believe the testimonies of the faithful, remember God’s blessing to you personally, don’t give in or give up!

After Moses’ final words to the people he led for 40 years, God tells him to go up Mt. Nebo where he will have a panoramic view of Canaan and be gathered to his fathers. (O.T.’s explanation for eternal life beyond death.) God buried his body and lifted his soul into His arms. His remains were not to be found and turned into a talisman of idolatry.

The key component to strength and courage is God’s presence. The key component to the personal presence of God is your worship and obedience.

May your Monday not feel like Monday,

Gretchen

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11 (Chapter 29-30)

The book of Deuteronomy is a restating and retelling of laws, covenant, the birth of Israel and God’s infinite faithfulness.  Moses warns, reminds and implores those that will inhabit the promised land to worship God only! They hearse and rehearse, and then Moses says, “It’s not too hard! No excuses!”

Beware of a mentality of entitled sinfulness, an unavoidable character flaw in created man. God has to accept us, warts and all, because He made us this way. WRONG!  Remember who the Creator is, and His purpose for the created.  It’s about relationship, right communication and respect. What does this look like? Honor, worship, obedience…….It’s not impossible because it is God’s design and by His power it is accomplished. 

Love the Lord God, with all your heart, mind and body and see how easy it becomes to be Holy.

Love,

Gretchen

Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity. Deuteronomy 28: 47 (Chapter 28)

If you need absolute proof that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, here it is.  Moses is directed to state the blessings of serving God only, never putting an idol or other god in His place. But He also lists the curses that will fall on this covenant people. They now number as the stars, but will be brought to ruin by the neglect and abuse of their blessings if that is their choice. Time told the story.

Israel’s peace and well-being depended on a right relationship with God. He knows the good that lies in store for the faithful and the sorrows of those who rebel and sin. Between these glad tidings and sorrows is man’s free will. Obedience isn’t the easiest route, but it is the only journey with a happy ending. 

Love,

Gretchen

“And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.” Deuteronomy 27:8  (Chapters 24-27)

In an age when books were scarce, Joshua was commissioned to erect stones, apply a coating of plaster and write the Law on them so the people could see, read if they were able, remember, obey and teach the next generation.  This was a common custom across the cultures of the ancient world. Moses commanded that this be the first act upon arrival in Canaan.

These stones would be part of renewing the covenant of which curses and blessings were a part. A ceremony would take place. Six tribes each would climb opposite mountains. The Levites would pronounce the blessings and curses of infringement and the people would add their ‘Amen,’ or their ‘So be it.’ 

Can you imagine the enormity of this nation gathering on the mountain sides, and the resounding thunder of their ‘Amens’?  It would leave a lasting impression, just as God intended. Covenant keeping is serious business and the law was not to be passively approached.

God, in His Law giving and Love lavishing, was specific and purposeful. He left no loopholes. Don’t look for them, they aren’t there. Trust, obey, love and praise and God will take care of the rest.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” be sure to appoint over you the king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your own brothers. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not a brother Israelite.” Deuteronomy 17:15-15 (Chapters 17-23)

God created Israel to be Theocracy, not a monarchy. For four-hundred years they did live under the leadership of judges and prophets as spiritual and civil leadership, but then they demanded that Samuel find and anoint a king…… so they would have the security that other nations enjoyed.

These verses are not an endorsement for a king. Even as the nation was putting down roots, God knew the heart of man and knew Israel would wish for a king, so God warned and gave direction for their selection and asked to be consulted. God allowed this move, a complete rejection of His sole leadership, but He did not commission this act. God instructed that Israel’s king not take multiple wives, a practice among pagan nations to form alliances.  He warned Israel not to return to Egypt in search of greater wealth.  It takes a great deal of money to run a country and money would soon become a greater priority than faith and obedience.

King or no king, God is to be our authority. Governmental failure was the demise of God’s covenant nation, yet the faith of individuals, in the face of adversity and against all odds, was the salvation of mankind. There are great Biblical Heroes that had no government to lead them, yet they believed and followed the commands God had given hundreds of years before. Do the right thing, no matter what is going on around you!

Love you!

Gretchen

You must not worship the LORD your God in their way. Deuteronomy 12:4 (Chapters 12-16)

Going beyond the admonition to love and obey, the specific laws of daily living are once again restated. God intends for His people to be set a part, different from all other cultures and nations on earth. Acclimation is not acceptable, remaining different is!

God made provision for every circumstance that will ever arise, from worship to accidental death. Worship will keep Israel connected to God and obedience will bring blessings unique to them only.

Though we are no longer held to the rigid laws of diet and ceremonial cleansing, it remains important to deliberately live as someone set a part. All are born with the same natural instinct to sin, but when we believe that Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sins and we confess and ask Him for forgive, we become a new creation and we chose to be different than the world around us.  Where there is hate, we chose love. Where there is fear, we lead with faith. Where there is despair we lavish hope. We are different because we are forgiven and we are God’s children.

Happy Tuesday,

Gretchen

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 (Chapter 7-11)

Israel is headed right into the heart of pagan culture. They will know the glory of great national/military victory.  The combination of these things will make it difficult to remain faithful and humble, something necessary for holiness. God commands them to destroy all idols and never forget the miracles of the wilderness where their clothes never wore out and feet never swelled from travel.

God is not maliciously clearing random people from the land of Canaan. It is because of their depravity that God is allowing them to be destroyed, and it is not Israel’s righteousness that entitles them, but God’s judgement alone. Moses cautions Israel to remember their rebellion and the price they paid. National prosperity comes with wondrous promises and ominous warnings.

Spiritual survival requires deliberate removal of all that defeats. God will not share your soul with another allegiance. Don’t overlook the use of the word ‘All’ in the above scripture.  It is a very important component to the success of your journey to The Promised Land.

Have a Terrific Monday!

Gretchen