Daily Bible Reading for March 23, 2020

Today my Bible reading plan starts the book of Joshua, chapters 1-4.

In Chapter 1, God calls Joshua, Moses’ assistant, to lead the Israelites over the Jordan to the Promised Land. God promises to be with him as he was with Moses and tells him to be strong and courageous, and careful to do all the law.

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” Vs. 7

In Chapter 2, Joshua sends two spies to check out the land. The spies lodge in the home of a prostitute named Rahab. The king of Jericho learns that she has two visitors and asks her to bring them out. She hides them and lies saying that they had left. This act of her protecting God’s people because she knew that they were chosen by God and that God delivered them from Pharaoh’s army who drowned in the Red Sea.

She asked that they would deal kindly with her and her household, and they agreed.

“”And the men said to her,’Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.'” Vs. 14

In Chapter 3, Joshua and the Israelites set out to go to the land. They arrive at the Jordan River and camped out there. The Israelites were instructed that as soon as they see the priests carrying the ark of the covenant, they were to follow, only they were to follow from a distance, keeping a space between them and the ark.

“Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.” Vs. 4

Like God exalted Moses before the people, he tells Joshua that he will exalt him. Like Moses, Joshua leads the people over the Jordan River on dry land.

In Chapter 4, after the Israelites had passed over the Jordan, God had Joshua select twelve men, one from each tribe to take a stone from the middle of the Jordan while the priests were there, to create a memorial that they set up at Gilgal.

“When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over Jordan on dry ground.'” Vss. 21b-22

God is faithful to his promises. He is sovereign and is able to use any of his creation for his purposes.

As we go through this Covid-19, the likes of which, we haven’t passed through before, we know that we need not fear, but trust him.

Let’s read the Book!