It covers a crucial period of over 12 years, from 456 B.C.E. ( Daniel 9:24-27) The book of Nehemiah is a history of God’s people involving the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. The time is now near for “the going forth of the word to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem”-the occurrence that marks the beginning of the 70 weeks of years leading up to the Messiah. Patton is the author of Deuteronomy: A 12-Week Study.TWELVE years have passed since the closing events recorded in the Bible book of Ezra took place. Let us then press on without fear, confident that we will join him. He’s already in “the land” (the new creation), reigning in perfect blessedness. Indeed, we can say something more than could be said in Joshua’s day, for our Savior already has passed through death into the heavenly places. 13:1–5), for God “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. We are to remain steadfast in our commitment to Christian ethics (Heb. We are to carry out the great commission (Matt. But the New Testament encourages us in similar words to Deuteronomy 31:6. We have not yet seen how the church will triumph through these challenges. We still need to stand firm against a culture that increasingly shames Christians for “bigotry” when we uphold biblical ethics. We still need to share the gospel with our neighbor who (so far) has shown little interest in the things of Christ. But we still need to step forward in faith today. Every people, tribe, and tongue will bow the knee to king Jesus (Phil. The church is more than conquerors through him who loved us (Rom. In the same way, we have yet to live out all the great conquests God has promised to us. Imagine the courage that comes from entering battle with the strongest, most powerful swordsman at your side! Stepping across the Jordan river into a land of great danger certainly required strong faith. 10:1–15), or the possession of the land (Josh. 6), or the great victory over the five kings (Josh. It’s easy for us, who know how the story plays out, to say, “Why were they so afraid?” But imagine being Joshua and all Israel, and not having yet lived the astonishing conquest of Jericho (Josh. I will not leave you or forsake you.” In contrast with the fickle gods of the nations, the Lord will never abandon his people to their foes. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. God emphasizes this to Joshua in Joshua 1:5: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. What is more, he promises not to leave them nor forsake them. This study through Deuteronomy recounts as Moses calls Israel to faithful obedience while remembering the past faithfulness of God-pointing to the grace of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Deuteronomy 20:4 uses the same language, but expands on it: “the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” In other words, the Lord is with Israel as a warrior. Moses assures the people that the Lord goes with them. That is why the second half of this verse is so important, for it gives the motive and power to be strong and courageous. It is one thing to say, “Don’t be afraid.” But terror is a powerful force that can seize us and render us powerless to act. These commands were so important for Joshua’s time that the Lord repeated them multiple times for him: Deut 31:7–8, 23 Josh 1:6–9. They needed to “not fear or be in dread of them” (namely, the peoples of the land). Now, after decades of wilderness wandering, Israel had another chance to take the land.īut if this opportunity to take the land was to turn out differently from the last time, Israel must “be strong and courageous” as they never were before. Just forty years prior at Kadesh, the parents of Joshua’s generation had refused to enter the land because of fear (Deut. But that didn’t mean it was an easy matter. 1:8), and their conquest was his way of judging the horrific wickedness of the Canaanite peoples who dwelt there (Deut. God had promised this land to them (Deut. What’s the most frightening thing you’ve ever had to do? In the case of Israel in Joshua’s day, they had to enter a land that was highly fortified, populated with great armies, and they had to take it. He will not leave you or forsake you.-Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord Is a Warrior Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. This article is part of the What Does It Mean? series.īe strong and courageous.
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