85 - Appointed by the Lord

Joshua's Tomb at Kifi Hares
Palestinian town in the northern West Bank

Chareen's Thoughts

• Joshua was getting older and summoned the people for a meeting where he encouraged the people to be strong and continue to obey all that is written in the book of the law.
• He warned the people to diligent to love the LORD for their own well being. He warned them of the consequences of not doing so.
• He reminded them of the benefits of worshiping and loving the Lord and encourages them to renew their covenant with the LORD.
• And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He did for Israel. Judges 2:7
• Joshua died at the age of 110. 
• Joseph's bones were laid to rest at Shechem.
• The tribes of Judah and Simeon battle the inhabitants of the land and drove them out.
• The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel and kept their word and spared the man who showed them where Bethel was.  This man built the town of Luz.
• But the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the hands of those who robbed them.
• When the Judge was alive they followed the Lord but when he died they followed the gods of the land. 
• The Israelites did not drive out the foreigners but married their daughters and turned their hearts to worship foreign gods so the Lord sold them to the king of Aram and they were slaves there for eight years.
• Othniel was the first Judge appointed by the Lord and he saved Israel.

I was amazed at the influence of Joshua and Moses over Israel after they had died. Their legacy was so strong that Israel did not waiver from following the Lord after they died while the elders lived.  Amazing the influence our eldership has over the lives of people.

Blessings
Chareen

85 - As for me and my house we will serve the Lord

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 23,24

Judges 1,2,3

We come to the end of the book of Joshua where he calls the Israelites and renews the covenant with them and warns them what will happen if they walk away from the teachings of the Law. After he had told them and blessed them in 24: 22 Joshua then told the people, "You are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have chosen to worship the Lord: "We are witnesses," they said.

Joshua 24: 14 Therefore, fear the Lord and worship Him in sincerity and truth. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and worship the Lord.

Joshua 24: 15 (amplified KJ) And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. This is a beautiful verse to have around your home as a reminder. We serve a awesome God and His promises are true and just!

Joshua lived to be 110 years of age and was buried in his allotted territory at Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim north of Mount Gaash.

Israel worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua's lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua.

We now start with the book of Judges and the first judge of Israel is Othniel son of Kenaz who is Caleb's; youngest brother as a deliver to save the Israelites. The spirit of the Lord was on him.

Blessings

Kathleen.

84 - The Lords promises fulfilled.

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 21,22,

Joshua 21: 43-45 (KJ) And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein...And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand...There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

22: 1-9 Reuben and Gad sent back to their homes.

When the Reubenites Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh were settled on their lot they decided to build a Altar to the Lord but a misunderstanding by the Israelites prevailed but in the end it was all sorted out when they were told that it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.

And so God's people were finally in the promised land, a land of milk and honey. God also told them not to worry for the Lord their God will protect them.

BLessings
Kathleen.

84 - Trust Him He keeps His word

Chareen's Thoughts

• All the Lord's promises to His people are now fulfilled and they are living in the Promised Land.
• The Reubenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Reuben have fulfilled their promise to stand with the house of Israel until all the land had been taken.  Joshua blesses them and releases them to go home with an admonition to keep the statutes of the Lord.
• When they returned home they built an altar for themselves to the Lord on their side of the river.
• When the rest of Israel heard this they gathered together to go to war against their brothers because they were offended with the altar. They went over and challenged them.
• The Reubenites explain that the altar is not for burnt offerings but as a symbol to remind themselves and their brothers across the river that they are a part of the covenant. It is merely a replica to remind everyone they are a part of the nation of Israel.
• The name of the altar is: Ed [witness], saying, It shall be: A Witness Between Us that the Lord is God.
• The priests reported all this back to the house of Israel who were satisfied with the report and went home.

 It is so important to keep each other accountable on our walks with he Lord to make sure that we do not twist His word or break His commands.  More importantly however it is that we approach one another for clarification for perceived misconduct and hear what and why something is going on.  I think many minor family wars could be avoided if we just took the time to ask and listen.

⁴³And the Lord gave to Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and dwelt in it.

    ⁴⁴The Lord gave them rest round about, just as He had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies withstood them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hands.

    ⁴⁵There failed no part of any good thing which the Lord had promised to the house of Israel; all came to pass. Joshua 21:43-45

I can trust Him He keeps His word.

Blessings
Chareen

83 - Refuge

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 13,19,20,21

1 Chronicles 6: 54-81

The allotments of land distributed for the rest of the tribes

The cities of refuge well placed for all to get to within a day for those who seeked refuge for causing accidental death. One can see from this reading that Gods plan is always perfect and just. He protects us in all our ways.

Psalm 46:11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

Within the Israelite possession there were 48 cities in all with their pasture lands for the Levites.

Remember in previous scriptures that the Lord , the God of Israel, was their inheritance and that the 12 tribes had to give portion of their land to the Levites.

Blessings

Kathleen.

83 - GOD IS our Refuge

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today's reading continues with the distribution and allotment of land to the tribes of Israel
  Zebulun
  Issachar
  Asher
  Naphtali
  Dan
  and Joshua's portion
• All the land was divided and portioned by lot in the presence of the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting in Shiloh.
• The Lord reminds the Israelites to designate cities of refuge and says Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly. Joshua 20:9
• You can find a visual map with the tribal lands over at Daily Bible.
• The tribe of Levi did not inherit any thing because The Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He told them. Joshua 13:33 They were allotted cities out of the other Israelites inheritance.
•  The Kohathites were also allotted settlements.

 Did you know that the word REFUGE appears 120 times in the bible and only ONCE in the New Testament ?

This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. Hebrews 6:18 (Amplified Bible) GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (Amplified Bible)

Blessings
Chareen

82 - Into an Inheritance

Emblem of Israel

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today's reading is about the division of land and cities among the tribes of Israel.
• The land and cities divided by lot before the Lord:
Judah
Josheph's sons: Ephraim & Manasseh (extra land allotted)
Levites no land but cities
Gad
Reuben
Benjamin
Simeon 
• The tabernacle was set up at Shiloh

I was feeling a little bored today reading all the land distribution records but the more I thought about the records the more I realised that these words are the fulfillment of the Lords promises.  They are the record of His faithfulness.

Did you know that the word inheritance appears 190 times in the Amplified bible ?

1 Peter 1:3-5

³Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

    ⁴[Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,

    ⁵Who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that ^[a]final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

Blessings
Chareen

82 - Division of the land of the 12 tribes

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 15,16,1718,19

1 Chronicles 4:28-33


And so the 12 tribes take ownership of their lands that were allotted to them. It's a interesting read and following on the map. It must have been quite a journey walking to their land but I could also seem them being excited in knowing that their journey out of the land of Egypt to the promised land of milk and honey is finally over and they could now rejoice and be glad in it.


Joshua 15:63. But the descendants of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So the Jebusites live in Jerusalem among the descendants of Judah to this day. Also found in Judges 1:21 Th the same time the Benjaminites did not drive out the Jebusites who were living in Jerusalem. The Jebusites have lived among the Benjaminites in Jerusalem to this day.


The Jebusites are the descendnats of Noah's son Ham.(This is an interesting read!)






The cities of Judah Joshua 15: 48-63


Then the portion of Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manesseh


Joshua 17: 14-18 Josephs family want a larger portion and spoke to Joshua and he told them to the forest and clear an area for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim.

Joshua 18:1 The tabernacle is set up in Shiloh.

Joshua 18: 2-10 The remainder of the land is given.


At the end of this reading a very interesting thought was given. Many of us when reading the scriptures of the division and allotment of land we sort of skip through it without thought and then they give this scripture from 2 Timothy 3: 16.(KJ) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...17 That the man of god may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


Food for thought!

Blessings for a beautiful day

Kathleen.

81 - Conquered !

Chareen's Thoughts

• There were many kings defeated by Joshua.
• There was still a lot of land to conquer and Joshua was growing old.  The Lord told him to divide the land of Canaan.
• Caleb was 85 years old when he was given Hebron as an inheritance.
• Judah was alloted their inheritance.
• 1415 BC was the first sabbaticla year for Israel.

Blessings
Chareen

81 - Kings defeated and Caleb is granted his portion

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 12,13,14,15

Judges 1:20

1 Chronicles 6:56

Judges Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, just as Moses had promised. Then Caleb drove out the three sons of Anak who lived there. This is also found in Joshua 15: 13-19

Caleb also promised this "I will give my daughter Aschsah as a wife to the one who strikes down and captures Kiriath-sepher" So Othniel son of Caleb's brother Kenaz, captured it, and Caleb gave his daughter to Ashsah to him as a wife.

Judges 1:16 The descendants of the Kenite, Moses' father in-law had gone up with the men of Judah from the City of Palms to the wilderness of Judah, which was in the Negev of Arad.

They went to live among the people.

Joshua 14: 4 The descendants of Joseph became two tribes, Manesseh and Ephraim.

Judah's portion. 15: 1-12 The allotment for this tribe and by their clans was in the southernmost region, south of the wilderness of Zin to the border of Edom.

1415BC ISRAEL'S FIRST SABBATICAL YEAR.

Bible Dictionary

Sabbatical year definition

Every seventh year, during which the land, according to the law of Moses, had to remain uncultivated (Lev. 25:2-7; comp. Ex.23:10, 11, 12; Lev. 26:34, 35). Whatever grew of itself during that year was not for the owner of the land, but for the poor and the stranger and the beasts of the field. All debts, except thoseof foreigners, were to be remitted (Deut. 15:1-11). There is little notice of the observance of this year in Biblical history. It appears to have been much neglected (2 Chr. 36:20, 21).

Joshua 15: 20-47 Is all about the cities of Judah

Joshua 1:8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do"

Blessings

Kathleen.

80 - Joshua and the Israelites victory into Canaan.

The Conquest of the Amorites
James Tissot 1902

Kathleen's thoughts

Joshua 10,11
Judges 2: 1-5

Judges 2: 1,4,5 (KJ) And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you... And it came to pass, when the angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept...And they called the name of that place Bo'-chim; and they sacrificed there unto the Lord.

This reading is how Joshua and the Lord our God went before him and fought for him into victory gaining the land which was promised to his forefathers. On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the Lord in the presence of Israel;

Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the valley of Aijalon.: And the sun stood still and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. isn't this written in the book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day.

14. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAY LIKE IT BEFORE OR SINCE, WHEN THE LORD LISTENED TO THE VOICE OF A MAN, BECAUSE THE LORD FOUGHT FOR ISRAEL.

Jeremiah 32:17 "Ah, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm, Nothing is too difficult for You!"

It must have been a very tiring war but in the end to see the hand of God on all things and walking under the shadow of the Almighty must have been a awesome time for the Israelites. Today we have the same privilege and it's there all we need to do is ask and it shall be given unto you pressed down to over flowing.

Have a blessed day and know for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go, He shall not forsake you. Amen!

Kathleen.

80 - Sun and Moon stand still

Joshua Commandeth the Sun to Stand Still
James Tissot

Chareen's Thoughts

• Yesterday we read about how the Israelites did not consult with the Lord and as a consequence they were caught by a deceiving nation.  Today's reading starts with them being rebuked by The Angel of the Lord who prophesis that this nation will be a trap to the nation of Israel.  He also reminds them of their covenant to destroy all the things of the land and make no treaties.
• Now the King of Jerusalem heard about the cities of Jericho and Ai being destroyed so he joined forces with four other kings to attack Gibeon who had made a treaty with Israel.
• This time Joshua seeks the Lords advice and is told to go and fight for Gibeon.  The Lord helps Israel fight and he kills more Amorites with hail than Israel had defeated with the sword. 
• During this confrontation Joshua says:... Sun, be silent and stand still at Gibeon, and you, moon, in the Valley of Ajalon! And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation took vengeance upon their enemies. Is not this written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of the heavens and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. Joshua 10:12-13
• There was no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man. For the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:14
• When the five kings saw they were being defeated they hid in a cave.  Joshua command the army to pursue their enenmies and slay them. The five kings were struck down and burried in the cave where they had hidden. 
• After these victories Joshua and Israel conquered the whole region of the Negev and Judean foothills.
• Next the kings of Mermon are defeated and Hazor is burned. 
• Joshua took all that land: the hill country, all the South, all the land of Goshen, the lowland, the Arabah [plain], the hill country of Israel and its lowland,From Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. Joshua 11:16-17
• So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their allotments by tribes. And the land had rest from war. Joshua 11:23  

There was no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man. For the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:14 Alas, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! There is nothing too hard or too wonderful for You-- Jeremiah 32:17

Blessings
Chareen

For Further Reading

• The Battle with the Five Kings over at The Science of Correspondences  Author: Jonathan Bayley --- From Egypt to Canaan (1869)  
• Sun, Stand Thou Still over at Library of Halexandria 

78 - You can not stand before your enemies until ..

The Seven Trumpets of Jericho by James Tissot.

Chareens Thoughts

• Joshua and the Israelites were now camped at Gilgal and Joshua set up the 12 stones and encouraged the Israelites to tell their children about what the Lord had done. That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty and that you may reverence and fear the Lord your God forever. Joshua 4:24.
• It was called Gilgal because ..., This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you. So the name of the place is called Gilgal [rolling] to this day. Joshua 5:9.  
• At Gilgal the Lord instructed Joshua to renew circumcision covenant and circumcise all the males.  They stayed there till they were all healed.
• It was here that the gift of Manna ceased and the people ate of the produce of the land.
• As Joshua was approaching Jericho he looked up and saw the Commander of the Lord's Host before him who instructed him in what to do.  
• Then Joshua took the people and did as the commander had instructed him.  They marched around the city in silence once a day for six days with the priests blowing on trumpets and on the seventh day they circled the city six times and on the seventh they were to give a shout on the long blast from the trumpets. At this the city of Jericho was taken. The walls crumbled and only Rhab and her family were saved because she had protected Joshua's spies.
• The Lord gave specific instructions regarding the loot of the city of Jericho which a few did not keep. Joshua was unaware of this and sent a few men to war against Ai and as a result they were defeated by the few people at Ai.
• Joshua does not know about the sin in Israel and goes and spends time on his face before the Lord seeking His guidance.  The Lord speaks to Joshua and tells him what to do.
• The Lord says: There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel. You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction]. Joshua 7:13
•  As a consequence of their sin the Lord would reveal those who had taken the cursed things into their homes and they and the things were to be burned.

 You can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction]. Joshua 7:13
As I read these words I became aware there are many things in our hearts that need to be destroyed before we can become victorious in our walks with the Lord. It is indeed a time needed for prayer and cleansing.  In our homes too we need to clear out the things that are not pleasing before the Lord our God. 
 
Blessings
Chareen

77 - Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous

Chareen's Thoughts

• God Himself speaks to Joshua and appoints him to lead the people into Canaan and pronounces a blessing upon him.
• Joshua starts out by secretly sending two scouts out ahead to Jericho where they encounter Rahab who protects them.
• Joshua tells the people to prepare themselves for they will be entering the land the Lord is giving them. He instructs them.
• The cloud and pillar of fire would no longer lead the people.  They were to follow the ark and allow enough distance between themselves and the ark that you may [be able to see the ark and] know the way you must go, for you have not passed this way before I love these words. Every day is a little like that.  We have never been there before and need His grace and guidance.
• They crossed the Jordan River on dry ground.
• Once they had crossed the Jordan River the Lord instructs them to set up their first memorial to His acts to help them remember. They were to set up 12 stones one for each tribe and make a memorial before the Lord.
• I love this verse too:  On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him, as they stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life Joshua 4:14. It made me think how so many of us spend years and years trying to elevate ourselves but in actual fact only the Lord can elevate us.

Joshua 1:5-9

⁵No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

    ⁶Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

    ⁷Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

    ⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good ^[a]success.

    ⁹Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

There is so much truth for us today held in these very words spoken to Joshua all those years ago by a faithful loving God.

Remember the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Blessings
Chareen

76 - Summary of the history of Israel.

Kathleen's thoughts

Deuteronomy 34:8 34:9,10-12
Psalm 78: 12-66 105: 16-45, 106: 1-35, 135: 1-20

Today's readings summarizes the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to Moses death.

Deuteronomy 34: 8 speaks of the Israelites in mourning for 30 days

Deuteronomy 34: 10-12 (KJ) And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD KNEW FACE TO FACE,...In all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,...And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

The Psalms readings is a summary of the journey before and out of Egypt with Moses which we have just read in the book of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It explains it beautifully.

Deuteronomy 34:9 And so now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Blessings
Kathleen

76 - Only one for the Job

Moses blesses Joshua before the High Priest.

Chareen's Thoughts

• Moses has died.  He is the only prophet that the LORD knew face to face. [None equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt--to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, And in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses wrought in the sight of all Israel. Deuteronomy 34:10-12
• All of Israel morned for 30 days.
• Joshua was now the new leader of Israel and he had been fulled of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him.
• Psalm 78:12-66 , Psalm 105:16-45 , Psalm 106:1-33 , Psalm 135 sums up the history of Israel to this point. 

¹PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!^(A)

    ²Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord? Or who can show forth all the praise [that is due Him]?

    ³Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are those who observe justice [treating others fairly] and who do right and are in right standing with God at all times.

    ⁴[Earnestly] remember me, O Lord, when You favor Your people! O visit me also when You deliver them, and grant me Your salvation!-- (Psalm 106:1-4)
 ¹PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!

    ²You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God,

    ³Praise the Lord! For the Lord is good; sing praises to His name, for He is gracious and lovely!

⁵For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods.

    ⁶Whatever the Lord pleases, that has He done in the heavens and on earth, in the seas and all deeps--

    ⁷Who causes the vapors to arise from the ends of the earth, Who makes lightnings for the rain, Who brings the wind out of His storehouses;  (Psalm 135)

Today's reading finished with these words which really blessed my heart:
 When God called Joshua to lead the nation He did not ask him to be another Moses. Leading Israel out was a task for a Moses, leading Israel in was a task for a Joshua.  Joshua could not be Moses, nor Moses Joshua. You too, have a place in God's eternal scheme of things, but you can only fit into it as you are yourself. (Cover to Cover Day 76 page 346)
 Romans 12:4-6 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;

So always remember be true to yourself and whom the Lord has made you to be.

Blessings
Chareen

74 - Mose last words to Israel

Moses annoints Joshua before the assembly

Chareen's Thoughts

• He reminds Israel that WHEN they turn back to the Lord love and follow Him then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion upon you and will gather you again from all the nations where He has scattered you. Deut 30:3-4 There is ALWAYS a blessing to be had when we follow the ways of our Lord.
• And the Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being, that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6 
• And the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in every work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, of your cattle, of your land, for good; for the Lord will again delight in prospering you, as He took delight in your fathers, If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with all your being. Deuteronomy 30:9-10 
• [If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which] I command you today, to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His ordinances, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land into which you go to possess.Deuteronomy 30:16 
• And may love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days,... Deuteronomy 30:20 
• Moses asked the Lord for a new shepherd to lead the people and the Lord appointed Joshua to lead and the High Priest to be the go between Joshua and the Lord. Numbers 27:15-23
• And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong, courageous, and firm, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to possess it. It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit--depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm] Deuteronomy 31:7-8 
• Moses then wrote down the final law and gave it to the priests. The Lord prophesied the apostasy of the people when they entered the new land.
• Moses wrote and read a song to the assembly before the Lord.

³For I will proclaim the name [and presence] of the Lord. Concede and ascribe greatness to our God.

    ⁴He is the Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are law and justice. A God of faithfulness without breach or deviation, just and right is He. Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Blessings
Chareen

74 - Moses time comes to a close as leader of the Israelites

Kathleen's thoughts

Deuteronomy 30,31,32

Numbers 36:13 & 27: 15-23

This must have been a very sad time for the Israelites and the priests knowing that Moses will soon be going home to be with the Lord. It must have been a form of mourning. I bet Moses being at the age of 120 must have been very tired too but he still found the time to sit and tell the Israelites what will happen to them and they need to choose between the blessings and curses.

Deuteronomy 30: 19 I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses: therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.

Deuteronomy 30: 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.

Moses also tells them this...Deut: 31: 8 It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will (march) with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; (let there be no cowardice or flinching, but) fear not, neither become broken (in spirit) (depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm.

9. And Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel.

Moses takes Joshua son of Nun, a man who has the Spirit in him and lays his hands on him to take over his possition as leader of the Israelites,

The Lord tells Moses to tell these words to all Israel. I am now 120 years old; I can no longer act as your leader. The Lord has also told me I won't cross the Jordan and the Lord your God is the one who will cross ahead of you, and Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, as the Lord said.

Deut: 31; 6 For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.

Deuteronomy 32: 1-18 Song of Moses. Beautifully written and was recited aloud every single word to the entire assembly of Israel.

Revelations 1;11, 17b-18 Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches;;; I am the First and the Last, and the living One. I was dead, but look - I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.

Blessings

64 - your God shall fight for you.

Chareen's Thoughts

• Today's reading started with a recap of the first allotment of land which was parceled out to the tribes of: Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Mannasseh.
• Before the Israelites crossed the Jorday the Lord gave them specific instructions about destroying ALL the idols and demolishing the high places (these are the temples etc) in their new land.  They were to drive out of the land all the tribes the Lord told them to and take full possession of the land.  The land was to be divided by lot and the size decided by the size of the tribe inheriting the land.
• And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Your own eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings [Sihon and Og]; so shall the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are going over [the Jordan]. You shall not fear them, for the Lord your God shall fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:21-22
• Oh how my heart grieved as I read about Moses pleading with God to see the promised land. My heart is comforted in knowing that Moses saw the fulfillment of the Messaih and stood in the promised land with the Lord.
• God told Moses to go to the top of Pisgah and look out over the land and commision Joshua to take his place.
• The Lord gave the Israelites specific boundries to the land that He was giving them as an inheritance.
• The Lord is the one who chose the men to divide the land among the tribes of Israel.
• The Levites did not inherit land because the Lord was their portion, however the Lord did promise them cities to live in.

 It's amazing how the Lord prepared the people and instructed them before they even crossed the Jordan. You can see His character of orderliness. He promised to fight for Joshua and the Israelites.  As a parent I know that feeling of wanting to stand for your children.  Our God is so very very good.
Blessings
Chareen.

64 - Don't be afraid of them, for the Lord your God fights for you!

Kathleen's thoughts

Numbers 33,34,35

Deuteronomy 3

Joshua 12,13

The readings from today is the preparation of the tribes to enter into Canaan.

One of the most important instructions given to Moses from God was...

The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, Tell the Israelites; When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you, destroy all their stone images and cast images, and demolish all their high places. You are to take possession of the land before you, and settle in it because I have given you the land to posses. You are to receive the land as an inheritance by lot according to your clans.

You will receive an inheritance according to your ancestral tribes.

BUT IF YOU DON'T DRIVE THEM OUT the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become thorns in your eyes and in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you will live. And what I had planned to do to them, I will do to you.

Boundaries are given Numbers 34: 1-15

Men chosen to divide the land Numbers 34; 16-29 Moses was instructed to take one leader from each tribe to distribute the land.

Cities promised to the Levites.

Each tribes is to give some of its cities to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance it receives. The total number of cities you give the Levites will be 48, along with their pasture land.

Blessings.