Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Here we see how the two and a half tribes to settle east of the Jordan gained their land. Israel’s battle with the Amorites begins to fulfil Abraham’s dream (Gen 15v16), the promise of land (Num 2v31), and God’s purpose of putting fear into “all the nations under heaven,” no doubt so that they were reluctant to attack Israel. These are the first of the coming instances where peoples are completely wiped out. We must remember this was justified only because they were particularly wicked (Gen 15v16, Deut 9v5), and so foreshadows Christ’s return in judgement. Moses stressed God told him not to be afraid, and commanded Joshua in the light of these victories not to fear either, because the LORD “will fight” for him. This would have emboldened Moses' hearers. It reminds us that Christ did not fear as he went to the cross to defeat evil. And he promises to be with us “to the end of the age” (Matt 28v20). We will face opposition and trials. But in him we will overcome, for “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8v31). As you read note the reasons Israel fight these nations.
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.
· To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here.