I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.
After giving his final instructions to the people of Israel, Moses went up to the top of Mount Nebo. From there God allowed him to see the entire land that He was giving the people of Israel. Moses died there and was buried. The passage tells us that no one today knows where Moses body was buried. The Hebrew is unclear as to who buried Moses body. Many have interpreted it to mean that God buried Moses’ body, thus explaining why no one knew where he was buried, but the literal translation is “He buried him in Moab” or “He was buried in Moab.” The passage tells us that even though Moses was 120 years old, his eyesight was still good and his body strong at the time if his death.
The Spirit of God rested on Joshua and he took over leading the people of Israel after Moses’ death.
When the time of morning for Moses was complete, God spoke to Joshua. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and to study the Book of Instruction which Moses had written, which contained God’s commands for the people of Israel. God told Joshua that if he followed those commands he would be prosperous and successful in all that he did. If we follow God’s commands, we will prosper and be successful in all that we do.
Joshua then commanded the leaders of the people of Israel to prepare to begin the invasion of the land which God would give them. He went to the tribes which had been given land to the east of the Jordan River and reminded them of their promise to help the other tribes conquer the lands on the other side of the Jordan River. Those tribes reaffirmed their commitment and promised to obey Joshua’s commands.
Joshua secretly sent two spies to investigate the land around Jericho. They went and stayed at the house of Rahab, a prostitute. The king of Jericho found out about them and sent to Rahab ordering her to bring them forth. Rahab told the king’s men that the spies had left just before the gates closed at dusk. In the meantime, she had hidden the two spies. The king’s men set out in pursuit of the spies. Rahab then went to the spies and requested that they promise to spare her life and that of her family. They made such a promise and instructed her to tie a scarlet cord out the window through which she let them out of the city. In addition, they told her to make sure that all of her family stayed in her house when the Israelites invaded. If she followed these instructions, they promised to preserve the life of her and her family. Rahab let the two spies down outside the walls and tied the scarlet cord to the window. The spies hid out for three days and then returned to Joshua.
While Jesus was teaching someone asked Him if only a few would be saved. He answered that we should make every effort to enter through the narrow door because many would try but few would be able. The time will come when it will be too late to enter. After that many will come and knock on the door crying out for the door to be opened, but will be told that He does not know them. There will be those who took their admittance for granted, who assumed that they would get in because of who they were, or who their parents were. But because they did not take action and enter when the door was open to them, their place in God’s kingdom will be taken by others. Jesus goes on to say that many who seem unimportant now will prove to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven and many who seem important now, will prove to be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. We should act to be acknowledged by God, not by our fellow-man.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and warned Him that He should go into hiding because Herod wanted to kill Him. Jesus responded that He would continue His ministry until it was complete and that He would be killed in Jerusalem. He continues to say that He longed to gather Jerusalem under His protection, but the people were not willing.
One Sabbath when Jesus was eating in the house of a prominent Pharisee there was a very sick man present. Jesus turned to the Pharisees and teachers of the law that were present and asked them if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath. They did not answer His question (probably being aware of His previous teachings on this subject and afraid of looking bad in front of others for being unable to present a good argument against Him, but not being willing to agree either). Jesus then turned to the man and healed him, telling the Pharisees that if a child or a cow fell into a pit on the Sabbath, they would get it out.
The psalmist cries out to God for salvation. He acknowledges that they are suffering as a result of the sins of their ancestors. He acknowledges that he has sinned and asks God for forgiveness. He asks God for help, not because of his own worthiness but in order to bring glory to God’s name. I will call out to God to act in my life so as to bring glory and honor to His name. I will seek to order my life so that those around me will see that the good that comes to me is a credit to the glory and honor of God. When I experience good things I will praise God and honor His name.
I really like the NIV translation of this proverb:
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.
It is important to choose our friends wisely because godly friends will help us to live godly lives, while if all of our friends are wicked they will lead us astray. But more than that, I will strive to be a godly friend who gives my friends advice that leads to righteousness.