Monthly Archives: July 2012
missions and common sense
Joshua 9 The lesson the Israelite leaders learned from the Gibeonite deception was an important one. Whatever they did, they needed to seek the LORD’s guidance first. Although God was withy them, and promised to give them the land, he … Continue reading
missions and second chances
Joshua 8 Once more the LORD challenges Joshua to take Ai. He commands him not to fear, and ensures him that he has given the city into Joshua’s hand. In the process of following God’s call, we are going to … Continue reading
missions and the valley of trouble
Joshua 7 Joshua assumed that all he had to do was follow the same game plan that had led to success at Jericho. He sent out spies, they sent back a favorable report. He commissioned the attack. Then it all … Continue reading
our missions–his victories
Joshua 6 Most of us are used to reading Joshua 6 as a Sunday School story – one that encourages believers to stay in line and shout when we’re told to (or something like that). Another way to read it … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, faithfulness, kingdom of God, missions
Tagged Joshua 6
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the real mission commander
Joshua 5 The Israelites had consecrated themselves by reinstituting the sign of the covenant at Gilgal: circumcision. They had put their hearts and minds back onto the reality of their rescue by celebrating the Passover. Now, they were ready fort … Continue reading
missions and memory
Joshua 4 The stones set up at Gilgal were to be a reminder for those who experienced the miracle of crossing the Jordon, and a teaching tool for the next generation. Our memory of the ways the LORD has intervened … Continue reading
getting ready for missions
Joshua 3 Joshua’s instructions to the people were “ Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” It would have been easy to focus on the obstacles to their mission, and many still do. Such negative thoughts … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, missions, preparation
Tagged Joshua 3
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God’s sovereignty and missions
Joshua 2 Rahab’s choice to protect the Israelite spies is an example of how our human wills work in conjunction with God’s sovereign choice in salvation. Rahab would become an Israelite, even an ancestor of Christ (Matthew 1:5). The LORD … Continue reading
a theology of missions
Joshua 1 The book of Acts has been called the missions manual of the New Testament. Joshua serves a similar purpose for the old covenant community. Chapter 1 gives all the elements the Israelites needed for a theology of missions. … Continue reading
in retrospect: the end
Deuteronomy 34 Why did God not let Moses cross over the Jordon to set foot in the promised land before he died? Partly it was because of his sin, but there is more to it than that. Moses’ life serves … Continue reading
Devotions 