Daily Thoughts From God's Word

The story of Ruth relates a time of great famine in Judah from which a man and his wife, Naomi, and their two sons fled into the land of Moab. Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died as did her sons leaving her widowed and without family except for her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. What a sad beginning to a story, one that ends with great blessing and joy. This scenario plays out time and time again in the Scriptures starting with the terrible beginning of our first parents, A

These last chapters tell of more events during the times of the judges: The tribe of Dan & the Levite & the idol, the Levite and his concubine, Gibeah’s crime, Israel’s war with the tribe of Benjamin, and wives provided for the men of Benjamin. Some pretty dark stories, here. And the book and the times end with: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25). As I am reading, I am reminded of the words of David who thanke

Because of his faithful participation and reporting with the spies sent over into Canaan, Moses had granted Caleb’s request and, now, the promise is fulfilled: “’So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.’ Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunne

“Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. So Joshua took all that land, the hill country and all the Negeb . . .” (11:15-16) and so on . . . “And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. And the land had rest from war” (11:23). And so, the promise made to Abraham – “And the Lord appeared to [Abraham] and said . .

32,000 men, too many! 10,000 men, too many! 300 men; ah, that’s a good number! Of course, God’s statement to Gideon is what set all this in motion: “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, My own hand has saved me’” (7:2). With the 300 now with Gideon, “That same night the LORD said to him, ‘Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand’” (7:9). “So

It’s that time in my reading that, every year, I point out the reoccurring cycle found in the book of Judges. I mean, one just about cannot understand the point of the book without noticing this pattern. In the third chapter it is reported, “The people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. . . . And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (3:5-7). And this observation, i.e.

“When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110 years. . . . And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation af

The last two chapters of Joshua à his charge to the leaders: “You have seen all that the LORD your God has done (23:3) . . . be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left” (23:6). à the covenant renewal: “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LOR

The land has been divided among the tribes, and the allotments have been established for the Levites. There is one more matter to take care of in regard to apportioning land: “Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Say to the people of Israel, Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses’” (20:1-2). This arrangement was done according to the gracious and wise plan of God. The reference to Moses reminds, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,

Caleb! What an example of faithfulness and courage! When with the spies sent into Canaan, he and Joshua stood against the other ten. As the land was now being divided among the people, Caleb reminded Joshua, “I wholly followed the LORD my God” (14:8) and also that Moses had promised him the land he had walked upon. Further, Caleb said, “And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now

“As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel” (9:1-2). The fighting for the land had begun. Joshua first took the south, then turned north where he “captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword, for Ha

“Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor’” (6:1-2). We know the story of the fall of Jericho. We tell the story. We do skits with our children. We teach them to sing, and these verses will suffice for today’s hymn selection: Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho. Joshua fought

“And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there” (2:1-2). Rahab had heard about the mighty acts of God on behalf of Israel, and she testified, “The LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (2:11). And so, once again, amongst a people hostile to God and to the truth, we come across

Joshua replaced Moses as leader of Israel, and the Lord said to him, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous. . . . Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (1:5-9). We are easily reminded of God’s protection of and assurances to others. The sons of Korah testified, “God is our re

Moses is replaced by Joshua. Leaders pass away or leave for other reasons. Has there ever been a greater leader than Moses? How will Israel continue without their great prophet and leader? Moses answered that question: “The Lord your God himself will go over before you. . . . and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken” (31:3). He adds: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He wi