“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, “
The first word of this book is a transition word, so you know it is a continuation of Deuteronomy.
I am going to stay “historical” not “applicable”. I want God to speak to you directly. When I became a Christian a few years ago, I would hear people talking about God speaking to them. This freaked me out. Not only did I not believe them, but I never heard anything from Him (so I thought). If you want to hear from God, open your Bible, have a pen in hand, pray, and then see what God prompts you to underline. No doubt He will speak directly to you. ❤️
Chapter 1: The book begins with a Command and a Promise:
- Command: set out from their camp at Moab, cross the Jordan (during the flood season), and enter Jordan.
- Promise: God will give them the Land promised. So be strong and courageous.
As they prepare to go into the land, Joshua addresses the Reubenites, the Gadites, and 1/2 the tribe of Manasseh. Back in Numbers 32, leaders from the tribes fell in love with the land on the east side of the Jordan. They asked Moses if they can have it. Moses assumed they meant instead of going into the territory to fight with the other tribes. But, they told Moses they still planned on fighting with the family for the land, so Moses said they could have it. So Joshua is just making sure that these Transjordan tribes still plan on keeping their word and joining the army. (Look on the east side of this map)
Chapter 2-Rehab. We could do a whole Bible study on the faith of Rehab! Rehab is a prostitute that hides the 2 spies. Even though she hid them, word gets out that the spies are in Jericho and she makes a deal with the Israelites. She asks that when they take the land (and she knows the Lord will give them this land) that the Israelites show her and her family kindness. She professes her faith in God and God alone. They agree.
Now technically they are to follow God’s command in Deut. 7 and 20 to destroy the population without mercy when they take possession of it. However, that commandment was given so that the people would not turn them away from the Lord. But Rehab only strengthens their Faith and her and her family will be spared if she ties a scarlet cord to her window.
In Genesis, we talked about the scarlet cord several times. When twins were born they would tie a scarlet cord around the wrist of the baby that would inherit the Covenant birth line. The scarlet cord has also been mentioned in the building of the tabernacle. The Covenant will follow the scarlet cord to the birth of the Messiah. So why does Rehab tie a scarlet cord to her window? Through faith, we are saved. Rehab’s faith in the Covenant saves her. If you flip to the genealogies of the Gospel, you will see that Rehab is now in the Covenant line, she will be the Great-great-grandmother of King David! What? You don’t believe me that God could use a prostitute? He already used Moses the murderer-fugitive! Flip to Matthew 1:5-6. (Then he can surely use me)
Chapter 3 and 4-Crossing the Jordan. We think of the sea parting as the Red Sea. Well, look at this:
(GOD GOES FIRST and makes the path!)
During flood season, God stops up the water and the Israelites keep God in the middle of the open river until everyone gets on the other side.
They carry 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel that have crossed, to Gilgal to set up a memorial to God.
“When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
For some reason, I have cried during today’s reading.
If you have the time to read these 4 chapters twice, do it. I encourage you to be still and let God take over to encourage you on anything you bring before Him today. Pray about your circumstances and let God speak to you today.
Reading the Bible - 2021 
Did they take the stones from the Jordan or did they place them in the river?
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I read it as they took the stones from the center of the Jordan while it was parted, carried them to the other side and set them up like a memorial or monument so they could point to the center of the Jordan during flood season and say “those rocks came from there”.
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