Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Joshua Chapters 1-5 - May 27, 2009

Read the first 5 chapters of the book of Joshua and add any thoughts you have about God's heart for the entire world.

The book of Joshua starts out where Deuteronomy has left off. Moses is dead and the unfaithful generation of Israelites has passed away, so it is time for God to give the nation of Israel the land He promised them. This land in itself is a testament to the love that God has for the entirety of humanity, because the Israelite people will be used as a beacon to draw the world to God. In chapter two we see that prostitute named Rahab has become a God-fearer from her knowledge of his work through the Israelites. Her heart for God and the fact that she is spared in the invasion show that God is concerned with the lost from every nation and merciful with those who humbly approach Him. When God allows the people to miraculously cross the Jordan in chapter 4, He also instructs them to build a monument to His work in bringing them into the Promised Land. This monument will stand as a reminder of God's power and love for people Hebrew and Gentile to see. Joshua even says at the end of chapter 4 that God dried up the waters of the Jordan and allowed His people to cross into the Promised Land so that all the earth would know that the Lord is mighty and that they might fear God forever. If that doesn't testify to a heart for all nations, I don't know what does!

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