Bible Soundbites
Monday, 07 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands." Exodus 17:9
Holding a big stick above your head is going to defeat the Amalekites?! Get real Moses! That’s not going to help…
But it did and Joshua learns that its God’s way, however bizarre, that wins battles! So when God tells Joshua to do some weird things around Jericho later in the story, Joshua quickly obeys.
Tuesday, 08 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.” Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide, and Moses went up on the mountain of God. Exodus 24:12-13
Joshua’s story begins long before we reach the book of Joshua. Throughout the books of Exodus and Numbers, whenever Joshua is mentioned, he is never far from Moses’ side. It is a beautiful picture of an established leader (Moses) discipling, training and releasing an emerging leader (Joshua), all within the context of Joshua learning how to best love and serve Moses.
Wednesday, 09 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:11
Wow, what a privileged insight into prayer Joshua would have gained from listening to Moses chat to God! Through this Moses passes on to Joshua his passion for God.
Put yourself in Joshua’s shoes… who is modelling Christian living to you?
Now change into Moses’ shoes! Who are you passing your passion for God on to?
Thursday, 10 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
The Lord said to Moses, “Send men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to Israel. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes.” Numbers 13:1-2
Years had passed since the land was promised. Now twelve men had been chosen to go ahead of the others and find out if it was all true.
Joshua was one of the twelve. Can you imagine his excitement….?
Are you excited about what God has in store for you?
Friday, 11 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh said to the entire Israelite assembly, “Do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of Canaan, because we will swallow them up…” But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Numbers 14:9
God’s promise was true! But the explorers discovered a slight hitch. The land was full of big, scary men (giants in their eyes!)
These men returned afraid and infected the entire Israelite community with their fear. Only Joshua and Caleb thought differently and were nearly stoned for saying so!
Don’t let fear rob you of walking with God.
Saturday, 12 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
The Lord said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Three times in four verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous! Do you get the feeling that perhaps Joshua wasn’t feeling this?
There were lots of things for Joshua to be afraid of; many things that could discourage him and knock him off course. Our circumstances don’t always inspire strength and courage, so in those times we gain these things from knowing that God is with us.
Sunday, 13 January 2008 00:00 | and posted in Joshua
Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. Joshua 3:15-16
A new generation stands on the banks of the Jordan looking into the Promised Land wondering whether they have the faith to go where their parents did not.
God has said he will act, but he is waiting for them to take the first step into rushing floodwaters... It’s like God is saying, we won’t enter the Promised Land unless you trust me.
Will you trust me?