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Joshua 1:1-9, God's Commission to Joshua

Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses.
— Joshua 1:2-3

NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, October 9, 2018

finally arrived

by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff


You know that last scene of a classic horror film when the sun comes up and the heroes emerge from their trials weary but victorious? This is that moment for Israel.

They’ve been without a home since God promised one to Abraham seven generations (about 700 years) ago. They’ve been wandering the wilderness for 40 years since God freed the Hebrew slaves from the Egyptians. They’ve been attacked, exiled, hungry, and afraid.

But today is their day. God is promising to Joshua that God will bring them — finally! — into the promised land. Not only does God promise them their land, but God also promises God will walk with them wherever they go and be with them always. Cue shmaltzy survivor’s music…


Narrative Lectionary Daily Reading:

Joshua 1:1-9

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Related & Recent Posts

 
Earlier Event: October 8
Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Moses Dies
Later Event: October 10
Joshua 2:1-21, Spies Sent to Jericho