Sun.’s Devo - Taking Jericho

Read: Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 31:1 When the kings of the Canaanites heard how the Lord dried up the Jordan River for the Israelites to cross over, they were totally afraid to fight them. *** God commanded Joshua to circumcise all the men since they had not been circumcised yet. When he did this, God said he had removed the reproach of Egypt from them on that day. He named the place Gilgal which means “a wheel.” They had now rolled out of their sinful state into a state of righteousness. *** They celebrated the Passover which was given to them when they were leaving Egypt. This Passover, they were leaving the wilderness and entering into their promise. This was the last time they ate manna. They now ate food the promised land provided. *** The commander of the army of the Lord came and met with Joshua to give him strategy for taking Jericho. The first thing he told him was to take off his shoes because the ground he was standing on was holy. *** Joshua came back and gave the people the plan. The men who were fighting age were to walk around the city for six days. Seven priest were walk, blowing trumpets before the ark. On the seventh day, they were to walk around it seven times and when the priests were to blew a long blast on their trumpets, the people were to shout. The walls will fall down flat and they could take the city. *** Joshua gave the instructions to his men and told them to walk silently so the only thing heard would be the trumpets. *** Can you imagine the fear that was mounting in the city? They were already afraid of the Israelites and their God and now they had to watch them encircle them every day blowing their trumpets. This had to be greatly intimidating. *** On the seventh day, when they shouted, the walls fell flat. They took the city and were supposed to destroy everyone and everything in it. The two spies rescued Rahab and all who were in her house. They lived outside of the camp but became a part of Israel. Rahab married an Israelite and they had a son named Boaz. He married Ruth, a Moabite and became part of the lineage of the Messiah. *** Joshua made a curse that if anyone tried to rebuild Jericho, they would lose their first born son when they laid its foundation and their youngest son would die when they set up its gates. *** When we traveled to Israel, our guide told us that a few decades ago, a man was trying to rebuild Jericho. He had three sons and the first one died when he laid the foundation. His youngest son begged his father to stop so he wouldn’t die. His father stopped excavation. God’s Word is timeless and has no expiration date. *** Unknown to Joshua, Achan from the tribe of Judah took some of the idols of the city of Jericho and hid them. *** The next city before them was Ai. When their spies looked it over, they reported it was small and would only take about 3,000 of their men to take it. Instead of a clean victory, they lost 36 mean and fled before the people of Ai. *** Joshua was so upset, he tore his clothes and fell on his face before the Lord. God explained that they had lost because their was sin in the camp. Someone had taken some of the idols Canaan secretly. They would have no more victories till they dealt with the sin. *** God told them to consecrate themselves and then have every tribe stand before him and he would show the clan that took the things. *** In Luke, Jesus was accused of attracting and welcoming tax collectors and sinners. Jesus explained they were the lost sheep, and heaven rejoiced more over one of them coming to repentance than 99 righteous people coming in who didn’t need to repent. *** Jesus gave them the story of the lost coin and the prodigal son. The woman in the story of the lost coin didn’t do anything wrong to lose the coin, but was so thankful when she found it. The father in the story of the prodigal son didn’t do anything wrong to lose his son. The prodigal son, chose to walk away and squander his inheritance. It took losing everything for him to wake up and realized what a great father he had. The older son of the father had never lost anything, but had lived in the blessing of his father. He was like the Pharisees who walked in the works of righteousness but had no compassion for the unfortunate. The father pointed out, that he should celebrate because his son was dead and now alive. Jesus was making the same parallel about the tax collectors and sinners. They were once spiritually dead with no hope, but were coming to life with his teaching. The Pharisees should be happy instead of judging. *** Lord, may we not judge people by their circumstances and outward appearances, but may we see them as you see them. May we see them as how you want them to be, saved and forgiven and prospering in righteousness. Thank you that you saw our sinful state and had compassion on us.

Sat.’s Devo - Crossing Jordan

Read: Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28 Joshua brought the people to the Jordan where they camped for three days. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant set out first, and the people followed leaving a space of 2,000 cubits between them and the ark. Joshua told the people to consecrate themselves because tomorrow the Lord was going to do a great wonder in their eyes. *** The next day, Joshua commanded the priests to walk into the Jordan with the ark and stand still. God would do a sign for them to encourage them that He was going with them to drive out all the “ites” of the land. Joshua was to pick out a man from each tribe. *** As soon as the feet of the priests walked into the water, it stopped flowing from the town of Adam in the north of the Jordan. Then the people could walk over the dry ground just like them did at the Red Sea. *** The twelve chosen men were to take a stone from the midst of the Jordan and carry it on the other side in a heap. These stones were to be a memorial of that day. *** When everyone had crossed the Jordan, Joshua commanded the priests to come out of the Jordan. As soon as their feet stepped on dry ground, the waters came flooding back. The people feared Joshua like they had feared Moses when they witnessed this great miracle. *** This happened on the 10th day of the first month which is the month of Passover. The number 10 represents a test. This was a test to see if the people would trust the Lord and believe he was their God and could give them the land he had promised them. *** In Luke, Jesus was eating in the house of a ruler of the Pharisees. He gave them a parable about those who were invited to a wedding party. They were not to seek to sit in the seats of honor least someone more important than them come. Then, they might be asked to give up their seat and have to take a seat in the back. But, if they would begin at the back, maybe the host would honor them with a better seat in the front. Those who humble themselves, will be exalted, but those who exalt themselves will be humbled. *** Jesus told the man who had invited him to his house that he should invite those who cannot pay him back like the poor, crippled, lame and blind. He be reward for this in the resurrection of the just. *** One of the people at the dinner commented how blessed it will be when they eat at the Lord’s table in his kingdom. Jesus gave a parable about God’s kingdom and his table. In the parable, a rich man gave a great banquet but, everyone he invited gave excuses why they couldn’t come. So, the master invited the poor, crippled, lame and blind and filled his house with people. Sadly, the ones he had invited never got to taste his food. *** Of course, this parable was given to the person who said everyone would be blessed who eat bread in the kingdom of God. It was also given to other Pharisees sitting at that table. They would probably never get to eat food at God’s table. *** Jesus explained who would be able to enter into his kingdom. It was those who have counted the cost and been willing to lose it all for the sake of gaining the kingdom. Those who are not willing to pay the price would be cast out eternally. *** Lord, may we choose you every day, above our reputation and anything the world has to offer. You are much much greater!

Fri.’s Devo - Preparing to Enter into the Land

Read: Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26 God took Moses on top of Mount Nebo in the land of Moab and showed him all of the land he had promised them. Moses died on that mountain and the people mourned for 30 days. Moses was the only prophet who God spoke face to face with and was shown such miraculous signs and wonders. *** It was now time to enter the land. God told Joshua that every place the sole of their foot tread on was a gift to them. God promised to be with Joshua like he had been with Moses and not to leave them. God commanded Joshua to be courageous and stay on the path. God would give them success as long as they followed his laws and obeyed him. *** Joshua told the people to get prepared because in three days, they would enter into their land. The warriors from Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh would go with them. *** The people swore their allegiance to Joshua and prepared. Secretly, Joshua sent two spies to spy out the land, particularly Jericho. In Jericho, they met a prostitute named Rahab and stayed at her house that night. The king sent men to her house to ask her to turn the men over to them but, she lied and told them the men had already left. If they hurried, they could catch them before they left the city gates. She had hidden the two spies on the roof of her house which was built into the wall of the city. *** She told the men that she knew the Lord had given them the whole land and all the people were afraid of them. They had heard what they did to the kings of Og and Sihon. Then she begged for the life of her and her family. The spies promised that if she kept the red rope hanging from her window to indicate which house she was in, they would not kill anyone inside her house. She agreed, and the men escaped and hid out in the mountains for three days. *** We just read how Rahab’s family would be the only people saved out of the whole city of Jericho and now in Luke, a person asked Jesus if only a few will be saved. Jesus explained that the way to salvation is very narrow, but all who want to lay down their lives and live for him will be allowed to enter in. Many will be disappointed when they find that their evil deeds will keep them from entering. God doesn’t judge like we do; he sees the heart and the intent of the heart. *** Jesus was warned by the Pharisees, of all people, that Herod wanted to kill him. Jesus explained that Herod had no power to kill him. He was safe till he got to Jerusalem where all the prophets were killed. He told Jerusalem that she would not see him again until they were ready to repent and confess him as Lord. *** Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and this upset the lawyers and the Pharisees. He asked them how many of them refused to help his donkey if it needed help on the Sabbath. They refused to answer him. *** Lord, may we enter into your gates of salvation with humility and praise. Thank you for your power to save us. Thank you for giving us hearts to respond to your kindness and grace.

Thurs.’s Devo - Moses Blesses the Tribes

Read: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; psalm 78:65-72; Proverbs 12:25 Moses was about to die and gives a blessing to every tribe. First he gives us some insight into what he saw when God came to him on Mt. Sinai. He saw God’s glory and ten thousands of his angels. He saw flaming fire at God’s right hand. He gave them the law making him their king. *** This is what he said of the tribes: Reuben had lost his right as the first born because he went into to his father’s concubine, but Moses prayed his tribe would survive, even if they were few in number. *** He prayed that God would hear Judah’s voice and contend for him and help him to fight against his enemies. He prayed that Levi would have the answer from the Lord and commended them for choosing the Lord over their own family. He prayed that God would bless Levi’s hands and crush his enemies. *** Moses prayed that Benjamin would dwell in safety under the shadow of the Most High. He prayed that Joseph would be blessed with favor and the best of everything the earth and heaven had to offer. *** Zebulun was blessed with trade as they were situated by the sea. He prayed that Issachar would give to the Lord of their abundance. *** He blessed all who helped Gad because they went in and helped all the other tribes fight and possess their land. ** Dan never gets a good prophecy. Here he is described as an offspring of Bashan, the evil nation where Og was the king. In Joseph’s prophecy (Gen. 48) he is compared to a snake. *** Naphtali is blessed with favor and the fullness of the Lord. Asher is blessed with popularity with his brothers, safety and strength. *** Then Moses reminds them of who God is. He is their eternal dwelling place who holds them forever in his arms. He is the one who destroys their enemies. They were saved by the Lord who gave them the power to triumph over their enemies. *** In Luke, Jesus gives them two examples of people who were killed and suffered. It was believed that bad things happened to people because they deserved it, but Jesus explained that all who die without repenting of their sins meet the same fate. *** Like the story of the fig tree, God had had much patience and compassion on them, but there was a limit to his mercy. Judgement is inevitable to everyone. *** Jesus healed a woman who had been bound up by Satan and could not stand up straight. She had been like this for 18 years. Jesus healed her but the Pharisees objected because it was on the Sabbath. Jesus reminded them of how they would unbind their own donkeys and lead them to water on the Sabbath and this woman who was much more important than a donkey had been bound and just needed the “water of the Word.” *** Jesus then explained that the Kingdom of God would start very small and grow until many were being refreshed with its life. *** Lord, thank you that we are part of your kingdom. May we spread your love and provide healing and love to those who need it.

Wed.’s Devo - Moses’ Last Day -

Read: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24 We read the end of the song which ends in the near death of their nation. God points out the difference between his children and the children of the enemy. In the end, God will bring vengeance on his enemies and their gods will have no power against him. He will avenge the blood of his children. *** Moses explained that them must sing this song and teach it to their children to warn them to follow the Lord so they could live long in the land. *** On that same day, God sent Moses upon on Mount Nebo so he could see the promised land and then die on the mountain. Aaron had also died on a mountain - Mount Hor. *** In Luke, Jesus is warning his disciples to stay diligent and keep trusting him just like God was telling the Israelites to do. Jesus was referring to his second coming. He promised to return and wanted to find them ready and awake, doing his will. *** Peter asked Jesus who he was telling this parable to and Jesus said it was for the ones who were faithfully following the Lord and looking for his return. *** Jesus didn’t come to bring peace to the earth but to shake it out of its complacency and cause friction which would lead to the right actions. *** He accused them of understanding natural signs of the time and being totally blind to the spiritual signs of the time. He encouraged them to work out disputes among themselves and not let the worldly system decide their fate. *** Lord, may we shake ourselves out of our complacency. May we have eyes to see the times we are living in and be found doing your will.

Tues.’s Devo - The Commissions

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 12:21-23 God had given them the example of what they would do when they got into the land. He had given them victory over Og and Sihon. They would do the same to the people in the land he was giving them. *** Moses brought Joshua forward in the audience of all the people and commissioned him to be strong and courageous because the Lord would go before them. ***Then Moses gave the priests and the sons of Levi a copy of the law and told them to read it aloud to the people every seven years in the year of jubilee and at the Feast of Tabernacles. *** God told Moses he was about to die and sleep with his family. He was to bring Joshua to the tent of meeting where the Lord would commission him to lead them in Moses’ place. *** After Moses dies, the people will break his laws and follow after other gods. God will become so angry with them, he will abandon them. All the evils promised them will come upon them. *** Moses was to teach them a song as a witness to them when they sinned. Moses wrote the song and taught it to the people, all in one day! Then the Lord commissioned Joshua, commanding him to be strong and courageous and bring the people into their land. Moses met with the elders of the tribes and told them that he knew that after he died they would sin and turn against the Lord. *** The song reminds them of their past and all the Lord did for them and their fathers, then it gives them a picture of their future sins. The song was given so that in the future when they are in the midst of the consequences of their idolatry, they will remember this song and repent. *** In Luke, Jesus explains that what we confess now is what we will confess in eternity, so it is imperative that we have the right confession now. When we have to defend the truth, the Holy Spirit will help us say the right thing. *** Jesus then gives us a story to illustrate that he is not talking about what we accomplish or attain on earth that is important. It is our testimony that will stand. Nothing else will follow us into eternity. *** We do not have to worry about the necessities of living, we are to seek life and God’s kingdom. God will take care of all our needs. God gives us nature to show us how much he cares about everything he made. *** Lord, thank you for reminding us that our treasure is in heaven. The treasure is You and your presence. Thank you that you never leave us and never forsake us.

Mon.’s Devo - Renewing the Covenant

Read: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20; Luke 11:37-12:7; Psalm 78:1-31; Proverbs 12:19-20 God had them make another covenant with him like they did at Mt. Sinai when he gave them the law. These were the children who had seen all the things God did for them in Egypt but were children at the time. Their parents had made a covenant with God and now they needed to make a covenant with him. *** God reminded them of all he did for them in the wilderness and of the evil gods that the Egyptians worshiped. He warned them not to worship the gods of the people whose land they were about to possess, but to keep his laws. If any of their tribes turn from his laws, they will receive the curses and the land and all in it will become sick. *** When they see the consequences of the blessings and the curses they are to return to the Lord with all their heart. Then, he will restore their fortunes to them and have mercy on them. He will then bring them into their land and make them prosperous and multiply them. God will give them and their offspring a circumcised heart to love him. Then the Lord will put the curses on their enemies who persecuted them, but, God will then abundantly prosper and bless his people. *** So, the choice was theirs to make. They can choose to obey the Lord and his commands and live in the blessings and greatly prosper, or they can turn their hearts away from him and worship other gods. If they do, they will not live long in the promised land. The choice was death or life. *** In Luke, Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee. He did’t go through the ritual hand-washing that they did, and the man asked Jesus about it. Jesus told him that it was a farce to try to look so clean on the outside when their hearts were full of greed and wickedness. They tithed, but neglected to administer justice and love. They could be found sitting in the seats of honor in the synagogue and marketplaces. They did everything to look important and holy, but were actually instruments of spreading death. *** A lawyer spoke up and said he was insulted by what Jesus said. He should have kept his mouth shut. Jesus nailed his profession also. He told him the lawyers put burdens on the people that were too hard for them to bear. They built tombs of the prophets who their fathers killed. They even agreed with their fathers that they should be killed. Their generation would be charged with these deaths. By their actions they robbed the people of the key of knowledge. *** Thousands were gathering to see and hear Jesus. The Pharisees tried to give Jesus questions that would provoke him and cause him to sin so they could discredit him. Jesus warned his disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees. Their leaven was their hypocrisy - the fact that they did not practice or even believe what they taught. They may have the power to kill a person, by they didn’t have the power to decide how that person would live in eternity. Only God had the power to cast the wicked into hell. *** Jesus gave the example of sparrows who were sold for pennies and yet God took notice of them. His children are worth so much more than sparrows and he cares for every detail of their lives. *** Lord, thank you that you love and care for us. We are so privileged to be your children. May we daily renew our covenant with you to love you with all our heart, soul and mind.