Burunche’s Blog

Joshua 2:8 – 24 “Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof ⁹ and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

 “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”

 “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.” So, she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. ¹⁶ She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. ²⁰ But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So, she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

 When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them. Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

Who doesn’t enjoy a thrilling spy story? Yesterday we talked about the way in which God led the Israelite spies to the one person in all of Jericho with enough courage and imagination and resources to hide them and give them information. It’s quite possible that Rahab entertained a number of the local politicians on a regular basis, holding gatherings where people just came in to eat, drink, and gossip. Rudyard Kipling describes such a situation in India. Rahab may have kept her place stocked with the best food and wine, enticing important men to meet and decide policy; that would certainly explain why Rahab knew exactly what the citizens of Jericho were thinking. Rahab certainly knew exactly how long the spies would have to hide themselves in the hills to be safe before crossing the Jordan. If Rahab was politically influential, it would also explain why the king’s soldiers didn’t make a more exhaustive search of the house.

Rahab was very astute and fully recognized that the God of the Israelites was far more powerful than any of the local deities worshiped in Jericho. Rahab also realized that Jericho was facing certain destruction and that the only people she could hope to save were her immediate family members and herself. It’s quite likely that Rahab was respected by the local politicians but snubbed by their wives. Evidently Rahab had little love for the citizens of Jericho as a whole!

There are many teachings regarding the scarlet cord that Rahab tied to the window from which she let the spies down. Red is the color of blood, and some teachers feel that Rahab was symbolically covering her family and herself with sacrificial blood, foretelling the blood sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross at Calvary. Others choose to believe that Rahab had begun a business of dying materials and happened to have that scarlet cord as part of her wares. Whatever the case, that scarlet cord would have drawn attention from those around Rahab, unless God protected her by blinding their eyes when they looked at that window. God protected Rahab and her family from any questions by her neighbors, a miracle in itself.

APPLICATION: Rahab the prostitute was God’s instrument of protection for the Israelite spies and the instrument of salvation for her family; moreover, Rahab was later hailed as a heroine of faith. Hebrews 11:31 says, “It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with the people in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.” (New Living Translation)

Many times, we are afraid to pray to God or to approach Him in any fashion because we realize that we are sinners and our lives are a mess. But look at Rahab! Here is a woman who had spent most of her life as a prostitute. It’s possible that as a beautiful little girl, Rahab might have been sold into prostitution by her family. Certainly, Rahab had spent a long time being scorned by the virtuous women in town who were jealous of her beauty and her political influence. But look at Rahab’s life after the fall of Jericho. “Ultimately, Rahab married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. Her son was Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Joseph, the adoptive father of Jesus, is her direct descendant.   (https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2018/05/heroic-women-of-the-bible-rahab-from-harlot-to-heroine-by-gods-grace)

We should be very grateful to Rahab for her example of faith! Rahab was a brilliant realist who knew the days of her city were numbered. But Rahab also appreciated the fact that the God of the Israelites was “God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Rahab had seen enough idol worship to know the real God from the false ones served by her neighbors. When given the opportunity for salvation, Rahab seized it!

What’s wrong in your life today? Has your marriage failed or have your kids rebelled? Has your workplace turned into a war zone? Do you feel as if nothing is going right in your life anymore because you have made major mistakes? Take heart! You are the very person for whose sins Jesus died. The same God who honored Rahab for her faith and delivered her and her family is reaching out to you in love. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

 When Rahab tied that scarlet cord in the window from which she had let the spies down, she was grabbing promises beyond her imagination. Not only did Rahab and her family escape the destruction of Jericho, but she also married into the Tribe of Judah and became an ancestress to King David, as well as to Joseph, the human father of Jesus. The story of Rahab is proof that God will accept anybody who will trust Him.

PRAYER: Lord God, we confess that we are sinners and that we are incapable of doing anything good enough to wipe out our sins. But You are the God who saved Rahab and who even allowed her to become part of the royal line of the House of David. Lord, save us from our sins! Help us to acknowledge Your Will in every part of our lives. Thank You for sending Jesus as the ultimate blood sacrifice for our sins. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Joshua 1:10 – 18 “Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you will cross the Jordan to go in and take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’”

But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember what Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you when he said, ‘The LORD your God will give you rest, and He will give you this land.’ Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them, until the LORD gives them rest as He has done for you, and your brothers also possess the land that the LORD your God is giving them. Then you may return to the land of your inheritance and take possession of that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the east side of the Jordan.”

So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!”

Moses is dead and God has buried him. Now Joshua has to take over. God may have hidden Moses’ body so that Joshua would have no excuse for beginning to lead. Joshua is looking out over more than two million people camped on the east side of the Jordan River. Later in Joshua 3 we learn that the Jordan is in flood, overflowing its banks for miles. While Joshua is ordering the Israelites to make ready, some of the Israelites may be wandering down to that river and checking the water. Imagine what these guys are thinking, “We are going to cross THIS? HOW???”

Remember the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half – tribe of Manasseh? These people all had vast flocks and herds and when they saw the quality of the grazing land on the east side of the Jordan, they petitioned Moses for the opportunity to settle there, instead of driving their animals any further. This petition took place after the Israelites had defeated King Og and King Sihon and had taken away their land. The deal was that if these tribes settled on the east side of the Jordan, they would still assist their fellow Israelites in the conquest of the Promised Land and would then return to their families. One reason this bargain might have been important is that these tribes were brave enough to claim land where they would be separated from the rest of the Israelites by the Jordan River. It takes nerve to stay in a remote area and not lose heart. That bravery probably translated into their being fierce warriors.

“So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. And may the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words, all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!” WOW! What an endorsement! This is the same bunch of people who have given Moses fits for 40 years, but now they are promising “obedience in all things?” Somebody has a very short memory. But they ARE promising that anyone who rebels against Joshua will die, and they are encouraging Joshua to be strong and courageous, the very same phrases that God has been using. What must God have been thinking when He heard them making all these promises?

APPLICATION: William Shakespeare once wrote, “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.” While God created Joshua for greatness, Joshua probably felt as if it was being dumped upon him! Anyone who has ever found themselves suddenly taking over a managerial position can certainly identify. Even though Moses had been grooming Joshua to take over for some time, Joshua must have still been pretty anxious about the whole thing. What can we learn from Joshua?

1. Accept encouragement, but don’t rely on it. Later on, the Israelites revert to type, but right now they are encouraging Joshua. It’s so wonderful when those you are leading are willing to give encouragement, and it’s so demoralizing when you have someone secretly undermining you! Remember that the same people who shouted “Hosanna to the Son of David” on Palm Sunday were screaming ”Crucify him!” the next Friday.    
2. Make sure people follow through on their commitments. Joshua insisted the three groups that had settled on the east side of the Jordan fulfill their assurances of support. Not only did the Israelites need the manpower, but it was critically important for Joshua to follow through. Had Joshua allowed these tribes to go back on their promises, none of the Israelites would have respected him.
3. Take your orders and your encouragement from God. Today people are praising you and cheering you on, but as soon as you have to enforce an unpopular requirement, you’ll encounter opposition. God is the only One who gives good counsel all of the time.
4. Remember that God is your Source of supply and not people. If COVID has taught us nothing else, it has taught us about supply chain problems. Those of us who work in remote areas know that if we see something desirable while we are shopping, we had better stock up. The next time we come into town, those items will be gone, never to return. There are so many times when we have had to beg God to multiply resources. At the moment, we are using oxygen bottles at our hospital. The round trip to fill those bottles takes more than six hours and a lot of fuel. I pray for God to multiply the oxygen on a regular basis!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Help us to learn Your lessons of leadership. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Joshua 1:1 – 9 “Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel.

I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses. Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.  No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them.

Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Moses is dead and buried. It’s time for Joshua to take over, but he may be shaking in his sandals. Looking out at the vast multitude of the Israelites, Joshua may well be remembering what tough times these same people gave Moses. After all, Moses became so infuriated with them that he struck the rock twice at Meribah – Kadesh, losing his opportunity to enter the Promised Land.

God knows Joshua’s fears, and in this passage, God gives Joshua very strong assurances.

1. God renews His promise that Joshua is to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land; however, they must cross the Jordan River to get there. The Israelites have already conquered the land of Kings Sihon and Og, and the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh have already settled there. At present, all the Israelites are sitting in that territory, but it’s time to advance.  
2. God promises Joshua that Joshua will possess all the land on which he will walk. This is both a promise and an instruction. Joshua will only possess as much land as he enters. Joshua and the Israelites cannot sit at a distance and expect to receive anything.  
3. Three times, God orders Joshua to be strong and courageous. What’s the significance of repeating something three times? In bargaining in the Middle East, a statement that is repeated three times means that the negotiator is absolutely serious and that the bargain is binding. Compare this to Abraham’s negotiations for a cave to use as a tomb for Sarah. Ephron the Hittite repeats, “I give it to you” three times during the negotiations. (Genesis 23:10)
4. “This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua is to repeat the laws of the Lord to himself throughout the day and night, so that he will never forget and so that he will act properly. Failure to observe God’s laws will bring disaster!  
5. “As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”… “ Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Again, God is using the principle of telling Joshua three times to make Joshua realize that God really will be with him and that He will never leave Joshua or forsake him. By so doing, God is making an inviolate covenant with Joshua.

APPLICATION: These verses are some of the most quoted in the Bible and with good reason. Who among us has not undertaken some new venture while we were shaking in our shoes, or our sandals? Even when you KNOW God wants you to do something, you may still feel like running back to your bedroom and hiding under the covers. What can we glean from God’s instructions to Joshua?

1. IF GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO DO SOMETHING, GO FORWARD AND DO IT! Every sailor knows that ships can only be steered when they are under way, that is, when they are moving and have momentum. It is impossible to steer an object that is dead in the water. If you make a start and you are heading in a wrong direction, God can do a course correction for you. But God can’t guide you if you are sitting still and insisting that He lay out His entire plan before you will move. It just doesn’t work that way! For one thing, if you knew God’s whole plan, you would find excuses to refuse to go.
2. You can only possess the ground on which you have walked. Conquest demands physical presence. Sitting and wishing gets you nothing.
3. If God is calling you to do something, then you too can claim God’s promises that He will never leave you or forsake you and that He will be with you wherever you go. But notice the word “go.” God does not promise to be with you wherever you sit!
4. Keep reading God’s Word. It’s amazing how many Christians want God’s results by doing things their way. Only when we keep reading God’s Word and thinking about it will we be willing or able to do God’s Will. But God promises that if we will read His Word and think on it, he will make our way prosperous and give us success. Does this mean lots of money? No! Not necessarily. God’s ideas of prosperity and success may be totally different from ours. The subject is too long to go into at this point, but God’s ways are not ours. Sometimes wealth and its trappings are hindrances to the Gospel and create unnecessary divisions among people. God’s idea of success is that we will fulfill His perfect Will for our lives, whether that means wealth or poverty. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was one of the poorest people on earth; yet, her ministry inspired millions.
5. God will never leave us or forsake us. If we feel that we are at a great distance from God, it’s because we have moved, not because He has. God is constant while we vary with the wind.

Memorize these verses! Study them! These verses are keys to a closer relationship with God, and the more you study them, the more you will understand God’s perfect character and his watch care for you.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Help us to study these verses so that they are engrained in our hearts and minds. Thank You for Your precious promises. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Deuteronomy 34:9 – 12 “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. Since that time, no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all the signs and wonders that the LORD sent him to do against the land of Egypt—to Pharaoh and all his officials and all his land— by all the mighty acts of power and awesome deeds that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.”

When Moses anointed Joshua, the Holy Spirit came to live inside Joshua, the Spirit of wisdom and truth. God gave Joshua authority, and the Israelites recognized that fact, obeying Joshua and following the Lord’s commands, at least for awhile!

But how do you follow someone who has been the complete leader? Moses had a strong sense of his calling from the time of his youth; it took forty years of herding sheep in the desert to make him ready to lead two million idol – worshiping Israelites out of Egypt. God used Moses to do incredible miracles, including wiping out the most powerful army in the world.

What is a “dog and pony act?” In the days of vaudeville, comedians, singers, musicians, magicians, and others traveled from town to town putting on shows. By all accounts, the most popular act was always one in which there were trained dogs and ponies performing together. The problem was that once such a popular act was over, people were likely to get up and go buy snacks and soft drinks, leaving the performer to face a depleted audience. The phrase “a dog and pony act” came to signify someone who was extremely charismatic, popular, and capable of great things. Now Joshua is finding himself in the position of following the dog and pony act that has occupied center stage for more than forty years, Moses.   

APPLICATION: There are very few things more difficult than taking over from a popular leader. No matter how hard you try, the second you deviate from previous practices, someone is bound to begin chanting, “But we’ve always done it this way!”

But God knew what He was doing when He chose Joshua. Look at Joshua’s record:

1. Joshua and Caleb were the only two spies with faith enough to believe that God could crush the giants and give them the Promised Land.
2. Joshua was always following Moses and helping Moses. When Moses went up on Mount Sinai, Joshua went at least part – way with him.  
3. Joshua spent large amounts of time in the Tabernacle communing with God.
4. Joshua did everything he could to study Moses’ style of leadership and to learn from it.
5. Not once did Joshua ever rebel or question Moses.

Some people seek out positions of leadership while others have leadership forced upon them. When I was in general and pediatric surgery residencies, I never dreamed that one day I would have to be responsible for an entire clinic, let alone an entire hospital.

When we first came to Ghana, I worked in one of the largest government hospitals in the country, one with well developed departments manned by trained staff. Then God called us to come to a small town in northeast Ghana where there was a health center with eleven workers. While I was still trying to find my way, a tribal war broke out, and suddenly we were the only source of care for roughly 100,000 people. I had to start an operating theater and a laboratory. The only accounts worker I had didn’t even realize that the receipts and the money should tally at the end of the day. There were lots of other problems, all of which were new to me. I coped the same way Joshua did – I prayed a lot!

Hudson Taylor, the Founder of the China Inland Mission, was fond of saying that “Where God guides, He provides.” Taylor went to China with a fledgling mission group that was poorly run and had little knowledge of the stresses missionaries would face on the field. In 1934, CIM had 1368 missionaries in 364 stations scattered across China.

Have you been called to do a work for which you feel totally inadequate? Take heart! The same God who called Joshua to succeed Moses can help you just as He did Joshua. God is not nearly so interested in your ability as He is in your availability. Remember that most of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen; yet, by the power of the Holy Spirit, they turned the world upside down.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Thank You that if You call us, You will empower us to fulfill Your perfect will. Lord, please encourage all who read this devotional to see that You are ready to help them if they will only ask. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.   

Deuteronomy 34:1 – 8 “Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead as far as Dan, all of Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, the Negev, and the region from the Valley of Jericho (the City of Palms) all the way to Zoar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.”

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning for Moses came to an end.”

This map shows Mount Nebo, just barely northeast of the Dead Sea. Even though the Promised Land was actually quite small, only God could have shown Moses everything described in these verses. On the map, the locations in these verses are indicated in the order in which they are mentioned. Gilead is designated as number 1, while Dan is designated as number 2, etc.

God had already told Moses that Moses would not enter the Promised Land because Moses had failed to honor God at the waters of Meribah – kadesh. But God did allow Moses to see all of the Promised Land from Mount Pisgah, part of the Mount Nebo monolith.  

Moses died in the land of Moab and God buried him in a secret valley. Why didn’t God allow the Israelites to bury Moses? God knew His Israelites! Remember, these people spent 400 years in Egypt in a death – centered culture. Had God allowed the Israelites to handle Moses’ body, there’s no telling what they might have done. They might have turned Moses’ body into a mummy. They might have made an elaborate tomb for Moses that they would then have turned into a shrine so that they could worship Moses. Remember these are the same people who were still hiding Egyptian idols in their tents. It was entirely possible for them to develop a Moses cult with little statues of Moses. No, God knew what He was doing.

“Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.” God preserved Moses for his entire life so that Moses was able to carry out all the ministry that God had assigned. God loved Moses and probably grieved with Moses that he was not going to be able to enter the Promised Land. God could not violate His own Word; however, God could handle Moses’ body tenderly. Even when Moses was in his mother’s womb, God had already designated Moses as the leader for the Exodus. Having created Moses’ body, having preserved Moses’ body all these years, now God lovingly selected a safe place in which to bury Moses so that nobody could disturb the body later.    

APPLICATION: “I will not laugh! I will not laugh! I WILL NOT LAUGH!!!” It was August 2011 and we were attending the funeral for Sandee, my late sister – in – law and a fervent Christian. The day after Sandee died, her husband found himself struggling to decide where she should be buried. This struggle became a nightmare and nearly overshadowed all the other challenges presented by the funeral. Now we were in church and the pastor was announcing a piece of music that Sandee had requested to be played at her funeral. The song was “All My Tears” sung by the group “Selah.” It was the refrain of that song that was causing me to bury my face in a handkerchief so people wouldn’t realize that I was laughing. The words of the refrain: “It don’t matter where you bury me! I’ll be home and I’ll be free. It don’t matter where I lay. All my tears be washed away.”

God chose Moses’ final resting place and kept it a secret forever. But the most important thing about Moses was not the location of his burial but the fact that Moses knew God and spoke with Him face to face. When Moses died, all his tears were washed away. All the suffering Moses endured during that one hundred and twenty years was gone in an instant. Now Moses was with God forever and all his wounds were healed. Moses was with the One who knew him better and who loved him more than anybody else could.

We too can know God; in fact, God wants to be friends with us. But we must be true – hearted as was Moses. May God help us to pursue friendship with Him, so that when we die, we shall be with Him.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Give us the desire to know You and help us to open our hearts to You so that You may change us into Your likeness and so that we may truly have friendship with You. In the matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

All My Tears (Be Washed Away)

Emmylou Harris, Julie Miller

When I go, don’t cry for me
In my father’s arms I’ll be
The wounds this world left on my sou
L will all be healed, and I’ll be whole
Sun and moon will be replaced with the light of Jesus’ face
And I will not be ashamed, for my savior knows my name

It don’t matter where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

Gold and silver blind the eye, temporary riches lie
So come and eat from Heaven’s store
Come and drink, and thirst no more
So weep not for me, my friend
When my time below does end
For my life belongs to him
Who will raise from the dead again

It don’t matter where you bury me
I’ll be home and I’ll be free
It don’t matter where I lay
All my tears be washed away

Deuteronomy 33:25 – 29 “May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and your strength match your days.” “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’ So, Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew. Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”

These verses embody some of the most wonderful promises God has ever given to anyone. Although the promises were originally given to the Israelites, anyone who is following the One True Living God and who is obedient to His Word can also claim them. Let’s examine and admire these promises one by one.

1. “May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and your strength match your days.” Some versions state that “your shoes will be iron and bronze.” Iron and bronze were some of the strongest metals known at the time of Moses. Cities that had heavy metal bolts and bars on their gates were far safer than those that just had wooden bars. Most people wore leather sandals that required continual repair and replacement due to the rocky nature of the paths. To have shoes that were iron and bronze would indicate that your shoes would not wear out and that you and the shoes would be strong perpetually. “May your strength match your days” means that for your entire life, you would remain strong and purposeful, not growing feeble or forgetful.
2. “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.” What’s the point of serving a wimpy god who can’t help you? Anyone who sets himself or herself up as his/her own god is doomed to despair. Only the Lord God of Israel is sovereign. Only an all – powerful, all – knowing, all – loving God is sufficient for your needs. Those of us who have flown know that even the clouds surrounding our planet are breath – takingly beautiful, and God lives in beauty. But God also “rides the heavens to your aid.” We can call on God, knowing that no sincere prayer ever goes unnoticed, and we can be quietly confident that God WILL swiftly come to our aid.
3. “He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’” Only God knows those who are opposing you or undermining you; therefore, it is God who can best protect you.
4. “So, Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.” This word picture of agricultural abundance is one of the most vivid in the Bible. Grain, new wine, and sufficient water would mean a plentiful food supply. To dwell securely means to live in safety, something all of us earnestly desire.  
5. “Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.” As I am writing these words, conflicts all over the world are heating up. Those who wish only to live in peace are suffering at the hands of terrorists. Christians in Africa and India are paying the ultimate price for their faith. “But,” you ask, “if these verses are true and applicable, why should anybody suffer for their faith?” Good question. Evil exists, and because evil does exist, the righteous will suffer. But that does not mean that we cannot call upon the Lord and ask for His protection. If we are believers, there may come a day when we will be asked to stand for our faith; on that day, we may be asked to lay down our lives. But we can always ask God for His protection.

When Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie entered the concentration camp where Betsy later died, God protected them, blinding the eyes of the guards so that they were able to smuggle a Bible into the prison. Eventually, Betsie fell sick and died; however, God gave her the grace to forgive those who were persecuting her and the courage to trust that God was still good and merciful. Sometimes our most dangerous enemies are not physical but spiritual. Jesus told his disciples, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28 – 30)

What does it mean to “trample down the high places of the enemy?” Cities were built on hills for protection against marauding bands. From a height, people could see their enemies approaching and prepare. But high places were also places of idol worship, and one group conquering another would also destroy the places of worship so that those who had been defeated could not worship their gods any more. Destroying the high places would render the conquered people spiritually powerless. For those of us who are Christians, we can rest assured that God will help us triumph over evil, even if we must pay with our lives as did Betsie Ten Boom.

APPLICATION: God is promising strength, health, protection, victory over enemies, and an abundant life. Did these promises come true for the Israelites? Yes, as long as the Israelites were obedient, God was faithful. Even when the Babylonians and Assyrians carried the Jews off into exile, God still fulfilled these promises. The prophet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are all examples of God’s faithfulness to those who remained faithful to Him. Down through the centuries, God has blessed those who have blessed the Jews. Those of us who are Gentiles, non – Jews, can also claim these promises because God’s plan was always for the salvation of the entire world and not just for one group of people.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your precious promises! Thank You that You are our protector, our shield, our provider, and our deliverer. Thank You for loving not only Israel but also the whole world so much that You sent Jesus to die for all of our sins. Help us to trust You, even when things become difficult. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus.

Deuteronomy 33:22 “Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

Genesis 49:16 – 18 “Dan shall provide justice for his people as one of the tribes of Israel. He will be a snake by the road, a viper in the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backward. I await Your salvation, O LORD.

The name “Dan” is short for “Daniel,” which means “God is my judge.” The Tribe of Dan eventually settled in the northeast part of Israel, near the Golan Heights. The Tribe of Dan helped protect their fellow Israelites; however, when Jeroboam rebelled against Rehoboam after the death of King Solomon, he built a huge altar in Dan, advising the Israelites that the journey to Jerusalem was too long for them, so they should worship at Dan instead. Dan was one of the tribes whose people were carried off in 722 B.C.

Deuteronomy 33:23 “Concerning Naphtali, he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”

Genesis 49:21 “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns.”  Both Moses and Isaac bless Naphtali abundantly. Later on, Naphtali is one of the tribes that comes to the aid of the prophetess Deborah when she and Barak fight the Canaanites under Sisera. Deborah specifically praises Zebulon and Naphtali for jeopardizing their lives. (Judges 5:18)

Deuteronomy 33:24. “And concerning Asher, he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.

Genesis 49:20 “Asher’s food will be rich; he shall provide royal delicacies.”

The Benson Commentary tells us, “This prophetic blessing was remarkably fulfilled; for Asher’s portion abounded with the best and most remarkable oil, which was the most famed of all Canaan’s productions.” Asher’s portion was in the Galilean Highlands, an area famous for their high – quality olive oil. Here it is predicted that Asher will not only have sufficient oil for nourishment but there will be such an abundance of oil that the Asherites can even apply it to their feet, something nearly unheard of.

When we examine the list of tribes receiving blessings, one tribe is missing, the Tribe of Simeon. When Jacob was prophesying over his sons, he didn’t have anything good to say about Simeon. Genesis 49:5 – 7 “Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are weapons of violence. May I never enter their council; may I never join their assembly. For they kill men in their anger, and hamstring oxen on a whim. Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.” 

As we discussed a few days ago, the Tribe of Levi redeemed themselves by standing with Moses at the time of the golden calf orgy. But the tribe of Simeon actually did wind up being dispersed in Israel. The land given to Simeon was surrounded by the land of Judah, and the people of Simeon were assimilated into the Tribe of Judah.

APPLICATION: The Tribe of Simeon disappeared as a separate group, perhaps as a result of their founder’s poor behavior. In the time of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and even of Moses, blessings or curses pronounced by a father were binding. When Esau sold his birthright because he was hungry, he couldn’t get it back again. And when Jacob deceived Isaac so that Isaac pronounced the rights of the first born to him rather than to Esau, that pronouncement was irrevocable.

There are such things as ancestral curses that can continue from generation to generation. For example, those who have never experienced effective fathering may be unable to perform well as fathers themselves. But praise God, we are NOT bound by all the junk that has come down through our families such as alcoholism, ragism, addition to gambling, etc.

When Jesus Christ went to the cross for the sins of the world, he also defeated the evil that could grip families from generation to generation. Can we overcome early conditioning or tendencies toward obsessive behavior such as alcoholism, ragism, gambling, etc? If we will pray confessing our need for redemption from these things, we can be free. Just because your parents didn’t know how to raise children properly does not mean that you are doomed to be a bad parent. There are tendencies that run in families; however, God can change us into His likeness, if we will ask and obey His Word.

PRAYER: Father God, help! Many of us feel trapped by the emotions and tendencies of our families. We want to be good parents, faithful spouses, and to live clean lives without addictions. Lord, we confess that we are sinners and that we cannot free ourselves. But we thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus to die for our sins, and that because of His sacrifice, we can be free to live holy and righteous lives. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Moses’ Blessing: Deuteronomy 33:18 – 19 “Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

Jacob’s Blessing: Genesis 49:13 – 15 “Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon. Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.”

In case you haven’t noticed, most of Moses’ blessings are far more positive than those pronounced by Jacob. When Jacob was speaking over his sons, he knew their personalities intimately and so was describing them as he knew them. But the blessings of Moses were more general. The Tribe of Zebulon was to settle by the seashore, where they would certainly have opportunities to travel, while Issachar would settle inland, where they would dwell in tents. But Moses blesses both tribes with abundance. What are the “hidden treasures of the sand?” In the territory given to Zebulon, there is a kind of sand particularly suited for making glass. Some authorities feel this is what is being referred to here. Others feel that the “treasures in the sand” might refer to things that can be collected on the bottom of the sea, such as oysters and pearls. Murex shells were used to manufacture a very costly kind of purple dye that brought its creators great wealth. There are still large quantities of empty murex shells at the site of ancient Tyre.

What is meant by the references regarding calling people to a mountain and worshiping? The idea is that the Tribe of Zebulon will witness to those with whom they trade, encouraging them to worship the One True Living God.

.

Moses’ Blessing: Deuteronomy 33:20 – 21 “Concerning Gad, he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head. He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.”

Jacob’s Blessing: Genesis 49:19 “Gad will be attacked by raiders, but he will attack their heels.”

The Tribe of Gad was a warlike tribe who helped lead the way during the conquests of Joshua. Here both Jacob and Moses are predicting complete victory with utter destruction of the enemies of God. The Gadites actually chose their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan but still helped lead the way during the conquest of the land on the west side.

APPLICATION: There is an old hymn, the first line of which reads, “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide.” This line was part of an anti – slavery poem written by James Russell Lowell, who was attempting to stir consciences in America.

Issachar and Gad were brothers, but they and their descendants were quite different. The Tribe of Issachar was willing to settle, and they did. Jacob predicted that the Tribe of Issachar would actually become servants because they were so passive. Eventually, most of the Tribe of Issachar was carried into exile in 722 BC and the tribe as such disappeared, although there were those who fled to Judah. The Tribe of Gad occupied land on the east side of the Jordan; this location made them more vulnerable to attack, hence Jacob’s prediction was completely accurate. The Gadites had to fight continually to protect themselves. Eventually, the Gadites also went into exile, but they probably put up a strong fight before doing so.

There has never been a time in history when it is safe to relax morally. Sometimes we feel that we really deserve a break, that we deserve some breathing space. But while we are concentrating on what we deserve, evil is triumphing. James Russell Lowell’s poem is still appropriate:

1 Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God’s new Messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
Twixt that darkness and that light.

2 Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calvaries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Time makes ancient good uncouth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.

4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.

PRAYER: Father God, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives! Help us to stand for righteousness and refuse to compromise with evil. Bless all in authority that they may make right choices. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:12 – 17 “Concerning Benjamin, he said: “May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.” This blessing is a lovely description of a father carrying his little son on his shoulders, protecting him.

Concerning Joseph, he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons, with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills, with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers. His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

There are two places in the Old Testament where a patriarch pronounces blessings over the tribes. When Jacob lay dying in Egypt, he prophesied over his sons, knowing their natures and foreseeing what God would do with them. Genesis 49 records Jacob’s prophecies. The “blessing” pronounced over Levi was a curse that his descendants would be scattered throughout Israel; yet, the Levites overcame that curse by their obedience. The Levites settled throughout Israel because of the priesthood, but this was a blessing.

Benjamin: v. 27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder.” Joseph and Benjamin were Rachel’s sons and Jacob’s favorites. Benjamin was the baby of the family; given the nature of Jacob’s blessing, it sounds as if he was very spoiled. Those in the tribe of Benjamin must have been far happier with Moses’ blessing!

The blessing of Joseph: v. 22 – 26 “Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall. The archers attacked him with bitterness, and aimed in hostility. Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, by the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you, with blessings of the heavens above, with blessings of the depths below, with blessings of the breasts and womb. The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.” There is no tribe called Joseph because Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh both became tribes. The blessings pronounced on Joseph are some of the most elaborate, and these blessings later do come true. Even though Manasseh was the older son, Jacob and Moses both bless Ephraim more abundantly.

Jacob blessed Joseph so abundantly partially because Joseph had saved the family, the Egyptians, and many nations around Egypt from starvation during a seven years’ drought. Remember how Joseph started out? Joseph was also spoiled, and his father had given him wonderful clothes, far nicer than anything the other brothers had. Joseph had prophetic dreams of rulership and was rash enough to share them, infuriating his jealous brothers and leading them to seize him and sell him into slavery when they got the chance. But God used this evil deed to get Joseph to Egypt and then to put him through very rigorous training as a manager before promoting him to become the second most powerful man in the country. Joseph EARNED those blessings that Jacob pronounced over him, and that heritage of blessing continued as Moses pronounced further blessings over Ephraim and Manasseh. Between Jacob’s blessing and the blessing of Moses, there was a a period of four hundred forty years; yet, those blessings that Jacob pronounced over Joseph were still working. Joseph’s suffering paid off for his descendants in amazing ways.

APPLICATION: Several years ago, Paul Billheimer wrote a book entitled Don’t Waste Your Sorrows. The book was a study of the Book of James, taking its title from James 1:2 – 3, which says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance..” Joseph could certainly have testified to the truth of those verses, as could Moses. Most people learn far more during times of testing than they do during times of abundance. We are far too prone to take the abundance for granted, assuming that we have deserved it, and to relax spiritually. That’s why God kept using Moses to warn the Israelites about the dangers of the abundance they would find in the Promised Land.

Most of us are not interested in the value of suffering! Charles Schulz in his “Peanuts” cartoon expressed it succinctly. Lucy is complaining about feeling down, and Charlie Brown is attempting to console her. But Lucy doesn’t want to be comforted. Lucy’s retort to Charlie Brown is classic: “I don’t want any “downs”! I only want “ups” and “ups” and “ups”!”

Are you going through trials today? Hang in there! God may be preparing you for something wonderful that He can only give you after you have learned the lessons of suffering.  You will find that those who have suffered are the very people who can help you the most. Those who have not suffered are the ones who will give you quick platitudes. Such people have led “shrink wrapped” lives. Nothing has touched such people, and they misinterpret their lack of pain as evidence of their wisdom, rather than abysmal ignorance.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You that when You bring us through trials, You only do it so that we can learn and be ready to comfort others. Thank You for Your unfailing Love. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:1 – 11 “This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand. Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words— the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, together with the tribes of Israel.

Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.”

And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah. He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant. He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more.”

Moses is beginning his song of blessing over the tribes of Israel, and his descriptions are very telling. The Tribe of Reuben gets a bare mention. The Tribe of Judah is blessed with help against their enemies. But look at the blessing for the Tribe of Levi!

To understand why Levi was selected for the priesthood in the first place, we need to go back to Exodus 32. Moses has spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai while God has been giving him the Ten Commandments, as well as the rest of the law. Meanwhile, the Israelites have pressured Aaron to make them an idol of a golden calf, one of the Egyptian deities they are used to, and they are having an orgy.

Exodus 32:25 – 29 “Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them run wild and become a laughingstock to their enemies. So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.”  And all the Levites gathered around him. He told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each of you men is to fasten his sword to his side, go back and forth through the camp from gate to gate, and slay his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’” The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people fell dead. Afterward, Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for service to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother; so He has bestowed a blessing on you this day.”

Moses and Aaron were from the Tribe of Levi. Moses put out a general call, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” Anybody from any tribe could have answered that call.  Anybody could have stood with Moses and received a blessing, but only the Levites responded. Interestingly enough, ALL the Levites gathered around Moses. Evidently, the Levites found Uncle Aaron to be a major embarrassment and wanted no part of idol worship! When Moses ordered the Levites to go back and forth through the camp and slay their brothers, their friends, and their neighbors who were involved in the orgy, the Levites did not hesitate, but killed three thousand people. Because the Levites valued God above those most dear to them and maintained the covenant, God chose the Levites to serve Him. Not only were the Levites blessed abundantly, but also the enemies of the Levites would be cursed.

APPLICATION: We read the story of the Levites and wonder how they could ever have done what they did. It’s quite possible that the Levites might have been weeping bitterly as they carried out Moses’ order, but they were obedient. In some respects, the Levites were forced to make blood sacrifices of those most dear to them. By choosing God rather than family and friends, the Levites secured an everlasting priesthood and eternal blessings.

Has God ever asked you to do something you knew would hurt your family members? Several times we have departed for the mission field, leaving elderly parents behind to grieve our absence. When we left for Ghana in September 2011, we knew that it would be the last time we saw my father before eternity. My father’s heart was failing and there was little that anybody could do. But my father gave us his blessing, and we left knowing that this was God’s will for all of us.

1 They cast their nets in Galilee
Just off the hills of brown;
Such happy, simple fisher-folk,
Before the Lord came down.

2 Contented, peaceful fishermen,
Before they ever knew
The peace of God that filled their hearts
Brimful, and broke them too.

3 Young John who trimmed the flapping sail,
Homeless, in Patmos died.
Peter, who hauled the teeming net,
Head down was crucified.

4 The peace of God, it is no peace,
But strife closed in the sod.
Yet, brothers, pray for but one thing–
The marvelous peace of God.

PRAYER: Father God, help us to choose to follow You even when things are difficult and when that choice might seem hurtful to our families. Thank You that You love our families far more than we do. Bless all those who make that difficult choice. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.