The name Joshua is the Hebrew equivalent of "Jesus." In Hebrew it's Yehoshua, which became Yeshua in Aramaic, the language that Jesus spoke, and Iesous in Greek. Joshua was one of the faithful spies, and succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel.
Although most people would chose 24:15 as the key verse, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve," I like 1:8: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
"It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light..." -- Great Controversy, p. 598.
The first three "battles" of Joshua are interesting studies--God led them in victory over Jericho by using very unorthodox methods. One man's greed caused a defeat in their second battle, at Ai. And in their third "battle," they thought that is OK to make peace with the Gibeonites, who appeared to live a long distance away from them. But they didn't consult God.
We actually see Christ in Joshua, as the "Commander of the army of the Lord" in 5:14. We know it's Jesus because He allows Joshua to worship Him, which angels do not allow (see Rev. 19:10, 22:9).
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy means "second law" -- Moses repeats the law in chapter 5. One commandment is a little different from what we read in Exodus 20, can you spot which one it is?
Deuteronomy's main point is the repetition of the law.
It's a review of what God has done for Israel, a review of the law, and a prediction of what will happen to Israel if they obey God and what will happen to them if they disobey God.
The picture of Christ in Deuteronomy is most clear in Deut. 18:15-18: God promises to raise up a "Prophet."
In John 1:21, the priests and Levites ask John the Baptist if he is "the Prophet" and he responds that he is not. They were impressed with John's ministry, but John pointed them to One "coming after me," One who outranked him (my translation of "is preferred before me).
Deuteronomy's main point is the repetition of the law.
It's a review of what God has done for Israel, a review of the law, and a prediction of what will happen to Israel if they obey God and what will happen to them if they disobey God.
The picture of Christ in Deuteronomy is most clear in Deut. 18:15-18: God promises to raise up a "Prophet."
In John 1:21, the priests and Levites ask John the Baptist if he is "the Prophet" and he responds that he is not. They were impressed with John's ministry, but John pointed them to One "coming after me," One who outranked him (my translation of "is preferred before me).
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