The Preparation | Part Two

Joshua 5:1-12

We're going to look at three features of the new covenant. More could be said, but for now, chew on this:

1. The new covenant promises a new heart.
In Ezekiel 36:26, God is speaking about the new covenant to come saying, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a new heart of flesh."

He will replace your stony, hard heart with a soft one full of new desires. A heart He can mold until it looks like Jesus' heart.

Many are wrestling with a tangled mess of problems, addictions, bad habits - all issues growing from stony hearts that are hardened to God. God wants to give you a new heart that is pliable in His hands.

He doesn't just want to modify your behavior, but your essence, your identity, the core of you.

2. The new covenant promises new life.
Jesus explains this in Luke 9:23-25. You give up your plans. You give up your ideas about what's best for your future. You give up your priorities. You give up your life. THEN, God will give you His plans. His ideas about what's best for your future. His priorities. New life.

In the new covenant, you must die to your old self to become alive to God.

Note, we are not promised a new life. God doesn't promise to pluck you out of your crummy life and drop you into a new one with a great family and a huge house. Abundant life is living for God through Jesus in any circumstance.

3. The new covenant promises deliverance from sin.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). As Psalm 103:12 states, God is able to remove our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.

Our part: confess our sins (to God and all affected) and repent (turn away from sin to God). This is the Christian lifestyle. Until Jesus returns and completes our transformation, we will be confessing and repenting.

God's part: die in payment for the sins of all who will believe in and follow Him.

He also promises to help us to see our sin, forgive us of our sin, help us to repent fully (by massaging new desires into our new, soft heart), cleanse us of our sin, and restore us to right relationship with Him and others.

Many are sinking into the quicksand of sin. The harder we fight to get out, the stronger its grip. God wants to deliver us from sin, both its hold on our lives and the punishment it earns.

This is the new covenant in Jesus' blood. Not trying to live a good life, modifying our behavior, trying to escape bad circumstances. Many have settled for this and called it Christianity and have never experienced a new, softened heart, new life, or deliverance from sin.

If this describes you, perhaps it's time to enter into the new covenant. Maybe it's time to give God your heart,  your life, your sin - and receive His promises through Jesus.

The Preparation | Part One

Joshua 5:1-12

On the Jericho side of the Jordan River, Joshua receives specific instructions from God. He is to circumcise the men of Israel.


Circumcision was the physical sign of the covenant (a formal, legally binding declaration of promises and conditions made between two or more people) God made with Abraham, generations previously. It was the physical identification with the promise (nation, land, and blessing for all nations). While Israel was in the wilderness, they abandoned the practice and it was time to return to it.

After performing and healing from the circumcision, Israel observed the Passover, remembering God's grace in delivering them from slavery in Egypt.

Biblical history books like Joshua preserve a record of God's character and ways through real events. What do we learn about God in Joshua 5? Many things, no doubt; but we'll focus on one for this post: God keeps His covenants.

Circumcision was the physical sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. Passover was the memorial observance of the mighty actions God took to keep His covenant, leading his people out toward the Promised Land. But we're not under the Abrahamic Covenant like they were. We're not promised the land of Canaan. Why should this matter to us?

Because Jesus invited us into a new covenant. Generations after Joshua and the Israelites observe Passover in the shadow of Jericho; Jesus sits down with His followers to partake in the Passover meal. While they're eating He begins to make cryptic remarks about how the bread and cup of the meal represents His body and blood (see Luke 22:14-20).

"This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." (Luke 22:20)

Jesus invites us into a new covenant based on His sacrifice on the cross. This new covenant is connected to the old. Abraham was promised that God would make a nation out of his people, place them in a special land, and bless all nations through His descendants.

Jesus is the blessing for all nations. The new covenant is the invitation to the nations to receive the blessing promised to Abraham generations before.

We'll look at three aspects of the new covenant in the following post.

The Crossing of the Jordan | Part Two

Joshua 3-4

Once the Israelites crossed the Jordan, God didn't have them offer a sacrifice. He didn't have them feast or fast. He had them stack 12 stones from the riverbed as a reminder.

Their greatest danger at this point is that they might forget God's faithfulness. They had always been this way.

I'll prove it: In Exodus 13, God brought them out of Egyptian slavery with a mighty hand and many miracles. They started a yearly feast and a tradition associated with their firstborn to remember it; yet by chapter 14 they lost their faith because of an approaching army.

So God parted the Red Sea to deliver them, an unbelievable miracle. In chapter 15, Moses taught the nation a song of remembrance; yet by chapter 16, they lost their faith again because they were thirsty and hungry.

So God provided water and food to eat (manna from heaven). God instructed them to keep some manna in a jar to pass down to future generations so they wouldn't forget God's faithfulness; yet by chapter 17 they lost their faith yet again because of thirst. And on it goes until they finally create their own little god in the form of a calf.

Israel was prone to look ahead to the dangers of the future and forget about the provision of the past. Now, on the other side of the Jordan, they have another chance. God instructs them to stack stones so that when their children see them, they'll ask and hear the story of God's faithfulness at the Jordan River.

What does this mean for us? We must work to remember God's faithfulness. If we don't work to remember God's faithfulness, we'll forget. If we forget, we'll lapse into despair and disaster.

Don't let an instance of God's faithfulness go unremembered. Write it in a journal. Put a reminder on your refrigerator. Plant a tree. Do something to serve as a reminder so that when you're up against a danger again, you won't feel like it's the first time.

Husbands and fathers, add this to your job description. This is a way to protect and provide spiritually for your family. Don't let them forget God's faithfulness. Work with your wives on this because their ideas and memories will certainly be better than yours. But initiate it.

We're facing an epidemic of spiritual Alzheimer's. Our memories of God's work in our lives vanish, leaving us terrified. Let's fight this disease together.

*If you've thought of a creative way to remember God's faithfulness, participate in our Facebook discussion.

The Crossing of the Jordan | Part One

Joshua 3-4

The spies had returned and it was time to march into the Promised Land. As Israel prepared, God instructed Joshua regarding the Ark of the Covenant.

The priests were to carry it in front of the people, leading the way to the edge of the flooded Jordan River.

The Ark was the holiest and most central object in the tabernacle, the place in which God met with Moses. The ornate box contained the law given to Moses.

For the people of Israel, this sacred object was a clear representation of God's presence and God's word. As Joshua watched the priests carrying it to the front of the nation of Israel, God's commands from chapter one must have echoed in his mind. Don't be afraid Joshua. I'm with you. Focus on my law.

Joshua's confidence in God shines through in verse five when he commands the people to "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you." We see no indication that he knew what would happen once the nation reached the Jordan at this point; yet he is sure that God will do wondrous things.

He's trusting in God's presence and God's word, moving ahead with confidence. THEN, God lays out the plan: Just as the Exodus began with a miraculously parted Sea, so it would end with a miraculously dammed river.

Those carrying the Ark were to step into the great river and wait for the waters to stop. Then the nation would cross on dry land, passing by the Ark in the middle of the riverbed.

As they passed the Ark, there could be no doubt that this was an act of God. The same God that gave them the law. What a visual teaching moment for God's people.

God didn't have to do it this way. He could have beamed the inhabitants of the land out an the Israelites in. In fact, the Israelites didn't even need a miraculous crossing. They were in no hurry. There was an Egyptian army on their heels when Moses led them through the Red Sea. This time they could have built rafts if they wanted to.

But God ordained that they would cross a miraculously dried up riverbed, the Ark standing between them and the piled up waters.

The message: trust in God and walk in His law.

The ultimate fulfillment: Jesus Christ. Jesus is God with us (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is the word in person (John 1). Jesus stands between us and the piled up waters of damnation and disaster. Follow him as the Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant and you will be saved.

The Faith of Rahab | Part Three

Joshua 2

Her name was Rahab. But she is known primarily as Rahab the Harlot. That's how she's introduced in Joshua 2. That's how she's referred to in both Hebrews 11 and James 2. Rahab the Harlot.

Why is her occupation emphasized when others' occupations aren't mentioned at all?

Since her story provides a picture of saving faith; perhaps the repetitive references to her harlotry serve to emphasize God's grace toward defiled people.

So many tell me that they're good people when the subject of God comes up. No they're not. Neither am I. Neither are you. And we're not responsible for cleaning ourselves up to receive salvation. God does that through Jesus. The Doctor came for the sick, not the well.

Once Jesus was invited to a Pharisee's house (read: super religious guy's house). While He was there, a prostitute approached and began weeping in humble adoration at His feet. As she did, the Pharisee said, "If you knew what manner of woman this was you would have nothing to do with her."

Jesus knew what manner of woman she was, which brings us to the third reference of Rahab in the New Testament: Matthew 1. This is Jesus' genealogy, starting with Abraham. Then Isaac. Jacob. Judah. Perez, father of Zerah by Tamar. Hezron. Ram. Amminadab. Nahshon. Salmon, father of Boaz by Rahab...

The prostitute weeping at Jesus' feet was the same manner of woman as Rahab, humble and desperate for God's mercy. Such a woman as this was not only embraced by God; but was used to bring about His most precious promise: the birth of Jesus Christ.

God is glorified in saving sinners; not accepting the self-righteous.

The Faith of Rahab | Part Two

Joshua 2

There are three New Testament references to Rahab.

1) Hebrews 11:31 says, "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace."

This verse comes in the back half of the so called 'hall of faith' (Hebrews 11). Picture this chapter like a wax museum of faithful Old Testament men and women. As you walk down the quiet halls you see Abel, who offered the acceptable sacrifice; Enoch, who was caught up into heaven without dying; Noah, who built a giant boat before the world had ever seen a rain drop; Abraham and Sarah, who set out to an unknown land and gave birth to a child in extreme old age.

As you approach the end of the hall, you see statues of Isaac and Joseph. On the end there's Moses looking old and wise. And rounding the corner, you expect to see Joshua next; but to your surprise, there's a woman. The name plate says 'Rahab, the Harlot'...

Something about Rahab's faith is exemplary for us. Seemingly more so than Joshua's.

2) James 2:25 says, "In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?"

Rahab said that all the inhabitants of the land were afraid of the Israelites. So they all believed in God enough to be afraid. But as James 2:19 explains, the demons believe too. And they shudder.

Rahab's faith was different than the rest of the inhabitants' belief. Her faith was animated by works. Her faith was brought to life by action. She received the messengers and asked for mercy. She transferred her faith from Jericho's walls to Israel's God.

Rahab is an example of faith animated by works. Like Disney is able to make static drawings come to life on the big screen, Rahab's faith came to life in her actions.

Now that we see the picture of saving faith in Rahab's story; how does our faith compare? Does our faith look like this? Does our faith motivate us to seek mercy and participate in God's work in the world? Does our faith cause us to transfer our hope from all else to God's mercy through Jesus?

Or do we simply believe, like the other inhabitants of the land?

Is the picture still fuzzy to you? Check back for part three of this post in which we'll look at the third reference to Rahab in the New Testament.

The Faith of Rahab | Part One

Joshua 2

I believe that God is the perfect author, His work flawless. That being said, why is the story of Rahab in the Bible with such detail? He could have summed it up in one verse: "Joshua sent spies into the land and they returned with a favorable report". Instead, He used 24 to introduce Rahab, her occupation (harlotry), and actions.

In these posts, I will attempt to prove that the story of Rahab is included in the Bible because it is an especially accurate picture of saving faith. One that can help us evaluate our own faith.

First, let's get swept into the story itself:

Joshua is ready to respond to God's commission in chapter one. He sends two spies into the land, especially Jericho. Thought of as impenetrable, Jericho was surrounded by two 30 foot tall walls separated by acres of sharply inclined land.

Rahab’s house was built into the outer wall. The spies chose to stay with her, perhaps because it was good cover for two foreign men to stay with a harlot (probably happened all the time). Maybe Joshua even advised them to do this based on his experience spying out the land years earlier.

Somehow the king found out they were staying there and sent men to capture them. This is where it gets interesting. When Rahab opens her front door and is faced with the king’s officials, she lies to protect the spies. She lies to protect foreign invaders.

Then she approaches the spies where they're hiding (hearts pounding no doubt) and says: “I know that the LORD has given you the land..."

How unexpected this must have been! They surely were expecting to be among God's enemies, foreign people who would hate them and want them dead. And here's a pagan prostitute confessing, “[T]he LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath..."

God had said over and over again that He delivered Israel from Egypt with a mighty hand to show that He is God. Now these two spies are hearing the same testimony from a Jericho harlot, who then pleads for mercy.

She had saved their lives, so the spies work out a plan to save her life and the lives of her family. But it would be difficult to save one particular family during a huge battle; so they come up with a plan. Rahab would place a scarlet thread on her window. Israel's army would see the red over her window and pass over her house (sound familiar?).

So that's the story. How is it an especially accurate picture of saving faith? In the next post, we’ll let the New Testament writers explain it (they were inspired by the Holy Spirit after all).

The Promise of the Lord | Part Four

Joshua 1

Why does God sandwich a command to obey and meditate on His law between all these commands to be strong and courageous?

Here's my paraphrase of what God is saying to Joshua:

I want you to get up and conquer this land. Be strong and courageous and keep your nose in the law. Doing so will ensure your success in taking the land and receiving the fulfilment of My promise.

Don't tremble! Focus on living according to the law.

Don't be dismayed! Focus on making sure your steps are in line with the path laid out for you in the law.

Don't tremble Joshua! Keep this book of the law on your lips. You're going to be tempted to talk about your fears and the dangers ahead. But those things are not your concern. Your concern is this Book.

Don't be dismayed Joshua! Meditate on this law day and night. You'll be tempted to meditate on your fears and the dangers ahead. When you lie down to sleep, anxious thoughts will fill your mind unless you meditate on this law. Discipline yourself to meditate on My words rather than your fears.

Don't tremble or be dismayed Joshua! Rather, be careful to do according to all that is written in this Book of the Law; because you can be certain of this, Joshua: I will come through on My end. You can trust Me.

How could Joshua obey God's command to be strong and courageous in the meantime, waiting to for God to fulfill His promise? Careful meditation and obedience to His words.

How can we be strong and courageous as we wait on the Lord? Careful meditation and obedience to His word, the Bible. It's the only way to avoid doubt and disaster.

You must align your heart and mind and hands and steps with God's word.
- Be careful to live according to it.
- Don't turn from it to the right or to the left.
- Let it dominate your conversation.
- Let it dominate your thoughts.

We are sponges, and the world is constant and pressing in its endeavor to squeeze the faith out of us. We must be equally constant and pressing in our efforts to remain drenched in God's truth from His word.

Joshua 1:10-18 describes how Joshua and the Israelites responded to all this. How will we respond?

I'll close these posts with Psalm 27:14:
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.

The Promise of the Lord | Part Three

Joshua 1

No one reading this blog has been commanded to lead Israel into the Promised Land. If I'm wrong, please let me know; but I'm pretty confident on this one. So, we can't apply what God says to Joshua to ourselves in the same way Joshua did.

However, God's message for Joshua does point to broader principles that we can apply to our hearts and lives.

God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous based on the promise that He would be with him, not failing nor forsaking him (Joshua 1:5-6). This is not the only place in the Bible that God commuincates this promise.

A similar promise is given to Jacob  in reference to the Promised Land and to Solomon in reference to building the house of the Lord (Genesis 28:15; 1 Chronicles 28:20). The writer of Hebrews applies this promise to New Testament Christians in reference to guarding themselves from the love of money (Hebrews 13:5).

God will be with His people. God will not fail His people. God will not forsake His people. Including those of us who are Christians today.

The exhortation for God's people to be strong and courageous based on the promise of God's presence is scattered throughout the Bible. For instance, David writes in Psalm 27:14,

"Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord."

Perhaps the Holy Spirit inspired David to write this command in the form of a Psalm, used to aid God's people in worship for centuries thereafter, because waiting for God to fulfill His promises is a universal Christian experience. Like Joshua, we are often in the meantime.

God has promised many wonderful, comforting, and even awe inspiring things. However, there is usually an uncomfortable time of waiting before we receive the benefit of those promises. And in the meantime, there is pressure.

In Matthew 6, Jesus taught that we shouldn't worry about what we'll wear, what we'll eat, or even our lives because God knows what we need and He will care for us. Some of us are anxiously waiting to see how He will fulfill this promise in light of our circumstances.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Some of us are still desperately waiting for this rest.

In the meantime, the pressure to doubt intensifies with each passing day. Like the Israelites who couldn't wait 40 days for Moses to come back before they lost hope and trust in God's promise.

They had to make a golden calf to worship, which I always thought was ridiculous. But then again, how much waiting can we endure before we make a golden calf out of our plans or our bank account or alcohol or relationships or whatever we turn to for comfort aside from God? We're making golden calves all the time.

Many of us are in the meantime and the pressure is mounting. Joshua felt it. He had God's promise; but there was a flooded river to cross and many strong armies to defeat. And God says, "Be strong Joshua! Be courageous! I will not fail you! I will not forsake you! And by the way, there's something I want you to do in the meantime:

- "Be careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you;
- Do not turn from it to the right or to the left...
- This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth,
- Meditate on it day and night."

Why does God put this emphasis on the law in the middle of all this about being strong and courageous and conquering the Promised Land?

Check back for Part 4 to find out.

The Promise of the Lord | Part Two

Joshua 1

Who was Joshua anyway? Glad you asked.

Joshua became Moses' attendant as either a boy or a young man (Numbers 11). He was known as Hosea before Moses started calling him Joshua, the Lord is salvation (Numbers 13:16). So, they were close.

We first meet him in Exodus 17 where he was chosen by Moses to lead a military defense, not long after Israel had crossed the Red Sea. Later, Joshua accompanied Moses up the mountain of God where Moses received the 10 commandments (Exodus 24:13). He was one of the 12 spies who originally scoped out the Promised Land. Only he and one other had the faith to enter after seeing the strength of their enemies (Numbers 13).

Joshua was a servant, a soldier, a scout, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom (Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9). He was a man who followed God fully (Numbers 32:12). He was Moses' right-hand man to the end.

Just as God used Moses to lead Israel out of slavery, He chose Joshua to lead Israel into the Promised Land.

Joshua was 110 years old when he died and most believe that the events in the book of Joshua span about 20 to 30 years (Joshua 24:29). This means that he was likely around 85 years old when God placed him in leadership over Israel.

He lived all of his adult life under the umbrella of Moses' leadership. He was the support guy, which is a comfortable place to be. His death stripped this blanket of security away, leaving him terrified at the task of leading Israel into the Promised Land. How do we know Joshua was scared?

- Deuteronomy 31:6: Moses says to Joshua privately, "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble..."
- Deuteronomy 31:7-8: Moses says to Joshua in front of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous... Do not fear or be dismayed."
- Deuteronomy 31:23: Moses, as he commissions Joshua to succeed him, "Be strong and courageous..."
- Joshua 1:6: God says to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous..."
- Joshua 1:7: God repeats to Joshua, "Only be strong and courageous..."
- Joshua 1:9: God repeats to Joshua again, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed..."
- Joshua 1:18: Even Israel chimes in saying to Joshua, "[B]e strong and courageous."

Check back for Part 3 to see how the rest of the Bible extends the call to be strong and courageous to you and to me.

The Promise of the Lord | Part One

Joshua 1

We need to remember the history that leads up to Joshua 1 to understand it's colossal significance. So, here's an ultra-condensed summary:

God promised His people a special land and over the course of several centuries, He's about to fulfill His promise.

(Scroll down for the more detailed version of this summary. You'll be glad you did.)

In chapter one, Joshua is riding the crest of the tidal wave of God's promise as it's about to finally crash into the Promised Land. This is a huge moment that proves an important truth about God: He keeps His promises.

This is a simple fact; but one we need to soak in daily. We need to somehow sew our very hearts into the fabric of this truth. We need to attach our thinking to this truth. God keeps His promises.

However, He does so in His way and His timing. And we may not understand it. We may not be able to sense His movements at all. And while waiting, His people tend to get scared and doubt. The nation of Israel was often afraid and as we'll see in the next post, Joshua was terrified.
__________

A more detailed summary of the history leading up to Joshua 1:

1. Genesis 1: God created everything, including people on a special plot of land called the Garden of Eden.
2. Genesis 3: People rebelled against God.
3. Genesis 4-5: People multiplied in number and corruption.
4. Genesis 6-8: God wiped the slate clean with a flood, saving a small group of people (Noah's family).
5. Genesis 9-11: After the flood, these people multiplied.
6. Genesis 12-15: God selected a man named Abram from these people to bless in a special way. He would make a nation out of Abram's descendants, out of which He would bless all nations, and He would give them a special land (the Promised Land).
7. Genesis 16-18 and 21: God changed his name to Abraham and gave him a son named Isaac.
8. Genesis 25-26: God reiterated His promise to Isaac and gave him a son named Jacob.
9. Genesis 28 and 35: God reiterated His promise to Jacob.
10. Genesis 35: God changed Jacob's name to Israel and gave him12 sons, whose descendants would become the 12 tribes of Israel.
11. Genesis 37: Israel's sons sold one of their brothers, Joseph, to Egyptian slave traders.
12. Genesis 39-47: By God's grace, Joseph rose to power in Egypt, from a slave to the king's right-hand-man. He used his power to bring his 11 brothers into Egypt to protect them from a famine.
13. Exodus 1: They multiplied creating the nation of Israel within Egypt. This nation still had the promise of the special land.
14. Exodus 1: A king came to power who didn’t know Joseph and had no regard for the Israelites. This king saw how many Israelites there were and got worried that they would take over; so he enslaved them, the promise of the special land still hanging out there.
15. Exodus 2-11: God raised up Moses, a deliverer through whom God freed Israel from slavery.
16. Exodus 12: Israel left Egypt under Moses' leadership. After several generations and over 400 years in Egypt, they were finally headed to the Promised Land.
17. Numbers 14: Along the way, Israel disobeyed, grumbled, worshiped idols and doubted God until He finally said 'forget it'. No one in this generation of obstinate Israelites would step foot in the Promised Land. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until that generation died off.
18. Deuteronomy 34: Moses died outside of the Promised Land as well.
19. Joshua 1: God commissioned Joshua to lead the new generation of Israel, finally, into the Promised Land.