Read: Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26
Moses climbed to mount Nebo so he could get a good look at the land he had spent the last 40 years working to get there. His one act of disobedience caused him to miss entering. He died at the age of 120 even though his eyes were still good and his strength still strong. Moses didn’t die of natural causes, God took him and God buried him in an unknown place in the valley. Jude tells us that Michael and the devil contended for the body of Moses. The children of Israel morned for Moses 30 days and his epithet was that there was not a prophet like Moses who knew the Lord face to face and whom the Lord did such signs and wonders through.
Joshua was full of the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him and conferred his mantle to Joshua. After Moses’ death, God told Joshua to arise and go into the land he had given them. Every place the sole of his foot would tread upon would be his. As God was with Moses, He would be with Joshua and He would not fail him. He commanded Joshua several times to be strong and very courageous and if he obeyed the laws God had given them, they would be prosperous and successful. They were to cross armed and ready for battle because after they had defeated all their enemies they would have rest.
The change of leadership marked a change in their mode of operation. They journeyed through the wilderness but now they would fight for their land. Moses lead them with the law, Joshua would lead them with the spirit of God.
The first city they came to was Jericho. Joshua sent two men to spy out the land Jericho. Rahab, the harlot, hid these men and saved their life. They would, in turn, save hers and her family’s. Rahab feared the Lord of the Israelites and all the stories she had heard about Egypt and chose to live. It was the scarlet cord, the blood of Jesus that saved her.
In Luke, the Pharisees warned Jesus not to go to Jerusalem because Herod wanted to kill them. How ironic because it was them who wanted him dead. Jesus called Herod a fox and explained that he had to die in Jerusalem to fulfill prophecy. No prophet died outside of Jerusalem. Everything in the Bible is strategically laid out and it all fits the master plan.
Lord, you have given us land that we are to take for You. Help us to be strong and very courageous. May we be armed with your Word and your power.
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