Joshua 1 – Joshua 4
Joshua 5 – Joshua 8

We made it to the Promised Land!!!!! Although, I feel like I’m still stuck in the wilderness. I got the same crud that my son had last week. Two days on the couch with body aches and a couch. Unfortunately that means there hasn’t been much celebrating as we arrived in the Promised Land. Never the less, a few insights to share.

Rahab the prostitute . . .
Besides a questionable career choice, did you know she was rewarded for hosting the spies from Israel? Along with her family being spared as Jericho came tumbling down, she was rewarded in another way. Check out Matthew 1:5 where our Gospel Writer gives us the linage of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph.

and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab,
and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth,
and Obed the father of Jesse,

In just this one verse, there are several great names (which we’ll recognize in the months to come) that all tie in to the birth of Jesus. There, listed along with them is our heroine Rahab, who aided the spies as Jericho was about to be taken.

Then there is the fall of Jericho. This takes me back to my high school days and singing for solo and ensemble. Each year I went prepared to sing, “Joshua fit the Battle of Jericho.” Being raised in a faith filled family I was proud to be singing something faithful. Sadly I was never proud of my scores. My poor adolescence voice could never figure out how to hit some of those notes. I tried. Like the walls of Jericho, my scores always seemed to fall. Still a great song . . .

Peace,
Pastor Bailey

Our next reading: Joshua 9 – 11