Joshua 3-4

Dear RTB’ers,

Israel crossing the Jordan River. I was first going to re-tell the story a bit, but then thought to have the rest of you do that–finding all the differences between Israel’s Exodus crossing of the Red Sea and their crossing the Jordan River today. There are many. I’ll hope to hear from you before I post again much later in the day.

There appear to be two sets of twelve stones, one from stones carried from the river by men from each tribe and set up at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20) and a second pile set up by Joshua in the middle of the Jordan (Joshua 4:9). My Study Bible offered a second translation, “Then Joshua set up the twelve stones that had been in…” that would argue for only one set of twelve stones. You decide…

I neglected to mention yesterday about the two-and-one-half tribes – Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Owing to the fact that they had much livestock, they had requested of Moses that they be allowed to remain east of the Jordan River. Moses granted their request, but required that they join the other tribes in conquering the Promised Land. So we see them today (actually, a portion of their numbers) crossing over in battle array (Joshua 4:12-13).

So, until later today…

Blessings!

Joshua 2

Dear RTB’ers,

Today’s key verse (Rahab speaking): … for the LORD your God, He is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. (v. 11b) Today’s reading is a good example of God at work in our lives – with His work done alongside our efforts. Consider man’s contribution: Joshua’s leadership, the spies’ activities, and Rahab’s deception. And God’s intervention: He led the spies to Rahab and He gave her a heart of faith in Him.

Joshua’s plan would have failed and the spies likely would have been executed had it not been for the Lord’s guiding the spies in Rahab’s direction and His gifting Rahab with active faith. However, Joshua did not sit idly by, waiting for the Lord to bring devastation on the Promised Land as He had on the Egyptians. Joshua acted, using his God-given wisdom and training. The spies went forward as directed, gathered the necessary information about the town and the people, and returned safely to Joshua. A plan was formed and the mission succeeded.

Before the advent of power steering, we used to say that it was easier to turn the steering wheel on a car in motion than on one that was still. Likewise, if we are waiting for God to act in our lives, He might act more quickly, moving us in one direction or the other if He sees that we are already at work. I can truthfully say that the Lord led me to the University of Maryland where I met my wife, Carol. However, there’s a lot of back-story leading up to that outcome – God at work in both our lives!

Blessings!

Joshua 1

Dear RTB’ers,

Joshua. A person. The first five books in the Bible are named for events or time frames. Joshua is the first book named after a person, Joshua. We met Joshua once before in Exodus 17:9-16, when Moses had put him in charge of a battle the Israelites had with the Amalekites. Then, had we read further in Exodus, we would have seen him as Moses’ right-hand-man. He played a big part in Israel’s history when he and Caleb were two of twelve “spies” sent to search out the Promised Land while the Israelites were journeying in the wilderness. (See Numbers 13-14). When the people chose to believe the ten “fearful” spies instead of the “faithful” Joshua and Caleb, their one year in the wilderness became forty. It’s at the end of this forty years that we find Israel east of the Jordan River, ready to cross over and take the Promised Land. Moses has passed on; Joshua is now their leader.

The Lord speaking to Joshua: Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. … Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (vv. 5b, 9b) I have posted before that I claim Biblical words that the Lord has spoken to other people as if He has spoken those words to me. Those words in bold above have been with me a long time and in a number of different contexts. Wherever I have gone, whether I knew it or not, the Lord has been with me. It’s a comforting feeling, especially looking back on my life, to see His hand guiding me then and walking with me now. And today and tomorrow and next week and next month…and forever – wherever I go!

Blessings!

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See also: March 4 (2023) / Joshua 1-5

II Thessalonians 2:13-3:18

Dear RTB’ers,

I have a problem with food – I eat more than I need. Mostly it’s not a problem at mealtimes; the bigger problem is between meals when I am being lazy or when I’m bored, when I’m just sitting around not doing much. But contrast, when I am outside working I seldom think about food. And if I do realize that I’m hungry, I typically choose to finish the task before me rather than quitting just to get something to eat. Idleness is a problem for me.

Today’s reading connected with me on this idleness issue, although Paul has a bigger problem in mind: Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (v. 3:6) Apparently there were Thessalonians who had chosen a lazy life. But not only were they not working, they were also compounding their idleness by engaging in gossip: For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (v. 3:11) Paul’s answer to his Thessalonian believers: …take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. (v. 3:14b) [The NASB has an even stronger translation, …that he will be put to shame.] For Paul, this idleness is shameful and that person is to be humiliated, to be shunned by the believing community. That may sound harsh, but I suspect that Paul’s intent is “tough love”, that his hope is for the Holy Spirit to quicken that idle person’s heart toward repentance and a changed life. Bottom line: better not to be too idle – for them or for me!

Blessings!

II Thessalonians 2:1-12

Dear RTB’ers,

So, what’s going on in today’s reading? Paul’s complex sentence structures often make it difficult to follow his intended teaching; repeated reading will help our understanding of what he is saying. Here’s my shortened take on today’s reading. There is a “man of lawlessness” who has not yet been revealed, but is somehow being restrained. At some point this restrainer will step aside and that man of lawlessness will be revealed. He/she/it will be Satan’s envoy and will claim to be God. Unbelievers will be deceived, but Jesus will take him down simply by blowing on him. Victory over him is certain!

Today’s key verse: For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed… (v. 3) Everything mentioned in the paragraph above is all preliminary to “that day”, which is the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him. (v. 1) But one question remains – who is this “restrainer”? My Study Bible suggests that the restrainer might be “the Roman state with its emperor, Paul’s missionary work, the Jewish state, the principle of law and government embodied in the state, the Holy Spirit, or the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit through the church, or others.” This quote does not mention Jesus as the possible restrainer – and I agree. When Jesus is mentioned in today’s reading, it is with respect to His coming (v. 1) or to His killing that man of lawlessness. (v. 8) So Jesus is likely not the restrainer. Who, then, is holding back this evil Satanic emissary? Your thoughts…??!!

Blessings!

II Thessalonians 1

Dear RTB’ers,

Many Bible scholars maintain that II Thessalonians was written not long after I Thessalonians (maybe six month or so). Presumably Paul had sent Silas and Timothy to Thessalonica with his first letter; then when they returned (with more questions!) he wrote this second letter. The “end-times” dominates this second letter. Paul had already covered this topic in his first letter, especially his assurance to them that those believers who had already died would be with Jesus when He returned. In fact, my Study Bible pointed out that every chapter in I Thessalonians ends with a comment about Jesus’ second coming. Still, the Thessalonians had questions about the end-times and this second letter goes into much greater detail about Jesus’ return, especially the next chapter.

Paul speaks of suffering and retribution in the second half of today’s reading. He, himself had already suffered there (and been run out of town), so he had some idea of the persecution which those believers might have been experiencing. However, he has a two-part response. First, yes, they will suffer for their faith; endure it. Relief is coming when Jesus returns: …and to grant relief to you who are afflicted … when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven… (v. 7). Second, those non-believers who persecute you will get theirs – if not in this life, then certainly in the next: They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction … when He comes on that day to be glorified…! (vv. 9-10a) Paul has a lot more to say about all this. Check back tomorrow!!

Blessings!

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See also: December 2 (2023) / II Thessalonians; Acts 18:12-19:22

I Thessalonians 5

Dear RTB’ers,

First, a bit of clarification… The words “sleep and asleep” occur four times in today’s reading (I Th. 5:6, 7, 10) and three times in yesterday’s reading (I Th. 4:13-15). In chapter 4 Paul was clearly using “sleep” as a metaphor for death referring to those believers who had died. Today he uses “sleep” in a very different context: So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (I Th. 5:6) Here “sleep” refers to believers being (not) alert, ready, watchful. I Th. 5:10 is less clear. This wording, whether we are awake or asleep seems to apply more to believers who have passed on. So, mixed metaphors. Confusing.

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (vv. 12-13) It’s in my DNA to respect the clergy who serve us. My parents often brought food gifts to the priest and nuns at our parish – rabbits and chickens from the farm and fruit cakes that my mother baked at Christmas. They set an example – spiritual leaders were to be held in high esteem. In today’s reading Paul is also asking us to treat our Christian leaders with respect. But I wonder who it is in Thessalonica that is in leadership? Paul seems to have spent so little time there, having been run out of town. Did Timothy go back and appoint leaders? Or was it maybe converted Jews who knew the Old Testament scriptures well and were taught by Paul those essential prophetic verses that applied to Jesus? Then again, leadership may have evolved naturally. Just wondering…

And we urge you, brothers… (5:14a). Paul follows with fourteen action verbs in I Th. 5:14-22. A good action list for Christian living.

Blessings!

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See also: December 1 (2023) / I Thessalonians

I Thessalonians 4

Dear RTB’ers,

For this is the will of God, your sanctification… (v. 3a, NASB). This word, “sanctification” occurs twice more in the next four verses in the NASB; the ESV has “holiness” in verses 4b and 7b. It was a new concept to me that I picked up on only a few years ago, in our Men’s Group meetings. One (or more) of the men spoke of “salvation and sanctification” – first an initial conversion, a turning to the Lord, then our continuing growth in Him, being filled with all that He has for us, being filled with the Holy Spirit, a changed life. That’s sanctification.

Paul speaks of the “end times” in today’s last six verses – one of the clearest pictures that he gives us of what the end will look like. To me 4:14 is the key verse: For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. Paul seems to be answering a question, possibly brought to him by Timothy, that the Thessalonians were concerned that their friends who had died would not see Jesus when He returns. Paul clarifies that for them – and for us! For the following twenty centuries billions of Christians have “fallen asleep” – and many of us will (?possibly, probably?) join them before Jesus returns. But because He died and rose again, so shall we!

One other item. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air… (v. 17) My Study Bible said that this is the only place in the New Testament where a rapture of living Christians is clearly stated. Yet so many people/denominations make such a big deal about it!

Blessings!

I Thessalonians 3

Dear RTB’ers,

Reminder: The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea… (Acts 17:10) Paul had spent only three weeks in Thessalonica. That was enough time to win a few converts and to begin relationships, but his sudden, unexpected departure put an end to his teaching and created in him a real longing for those whom he had left behind. He went to Berea and Athens, spending enough time in those cities to preach and win a few converts, then went on to Corinth. In spite of ministry successes in Berea and Athens and Corinth, Paul’s Thessalonians have not been far from his mind or his heart. So he sends Timothy to check on them. Those few relationships that he had developed in Thessalonica must have been strong indeed!

Paul’s prayers and concerns answered: But now that Timothy has come to us from you … we have been comforted about you through your faith. (vv. 6-7) And Paul continues to pray for them: we pray … night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith… (v. 10) Yes, he will see them face-to-face (Acts 20:1-3), but it will have been after about a five-year separation.

Blessings!