MARCH 22 READINGS…Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12 & Joshua 1:1-2:24.
Moses finishes his life and ministry to Israel on behalf of the Lord. He speaks a blessing over the twelve tribes of Israel…all except Simeon. If you remember Jacob’s blessings over his sons in Genesis 49…in the seventh verse here is what he says about Simeon and Levi…”Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; And their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob, And scatter them in Israel.” And this if fulfilled as Joshua divides the land once the Israelites enter in…Joshua 19:1, “The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families. And their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.” Simeon and Levi had committed murder, causing their father to say that they would never inherit land. Levi, we know, became the priestly tribe, with no land. Simeon was given an inheritance inside the territory of Judah, and pretty much lost their identity as a tribe. Moses dies, without his strength being taken or his eyes growing dim…he was buried in an unknown location on Mount Nebo. Moses had a unique position as a prophet of God…he was the one and, only one, whom the Lord knew face to face.
Joshua takes leadership of the nation of Israel…it is his job to lead the people into the land of promise. After the proper time of morning for Moses, Joshua prepares the people to enter the land. He sends in two men to spy out the city of Jericho. The Israelites were encamped on the east side of the Jordan River and Jericho was the first city on the west side. The men went in and stayed at the home of a prostitute named Rahab. The people of Jericho were totally afraid of the Israelites, for they had heard of the things they had done on the east side of the Jordan River. The king of Jericho sent his men to find the two men sent in by Joshua…but Rahab hid them, and told the kings men that they had already left. Rahab made a pact with the men to save her household when the Israelites overthrew Jericho. Rahab and her family would be safe as long as they and she did what the men required. The men returned to Joshua with a report that the people of Jericho were filled with fear and they could take the city. Everything was about to begin to play out just as the Lord had said. The Israelites could trust God’s Word…and we can trust God’s Word. When God says He will do something…we can know He will do it.
Please share your insights and thoughts from today’s readings. Know that in Jesus God has declared your eternal salvation…what God has declared for us through Jesus…God will do!
TOMORROW’S READINGS…Joshua 3:1-6:27
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