Juggling Fire

Joshua records for us again the allotments of land for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Moses already outlined these lands for us in previous books, but we can consider this documentation by Joshua a recap, much like a follow-up story in journalism. In fact, I was reading a story about… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 13

What an amazing document! Yes, it’s kind of boring to read, but it says so much. For one, it may be the only living document that records these kingdoms and their one-time existence. I can’t help but compare this document to a little note I received this morning from a student/newspaper friend of mine. This… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 12

I just love Joshua. Perhaps it’s his name, but I picture him a forever-young, strong soldier who rallies troops and just marches on and on unscathed and glimmering in his armor under the beaming sun of the Middle East. Too far? Ok, but seriously, Joshua has been around a looooong time. He is wise. He… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 11

Why would any king, who had heard through the grapevine that the Israelite army could not and would not be defeated, dare to challenge it, especially when he knows the Gibionites managed to strike a peaceful deal? Pride, I’m guessing. Yes, the Gibeonites were alive, but they were an oppressed people group, subjected to fetching… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 10

So, it’s ok to disobey the Lord when you make a promise to man then. I mean, that’s what the text says, right??? We don’t really know the outcome of Joshua’s decision to let the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites live, but we do know that God told the Israelites to let no… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 9

I don’t understand war or why all the violence is necessary or why men have to be subjected to the perils of war - the killing, the burning, the desecration. Apparently, though, God deems it necessary. We like to cheer on the Israelites and celebrate their victories, but I couldn’t help but think of the… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 8

Wowzers. I was kind of hoping that Achan and his family would have been pardoned since he told the truth about the loot he stole and where he hid it. Sadly, though, we have to read yet another example of how God did not tolerate greed and lust for wealth, particularly when it came to… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 7

I got a little choked up when the soldiers rescued Rahab. I had kind of forgotten about her. But God didn’t. The story of Rahab is quite impactful when working with women in the sex industry. Many of them like the thought of Jesus but don’t think they’re worthy of his love. Joshua 6 is… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 6

We get two pictures (plus a little cliffhanger) in this chapter of what was happening in Canaan during this time. The chapter opens with the mindset of the Canaanite and Amorite kings, who are scared out of their wits because they know the Israelites are coming. Through word of mouth or message or secret beacon… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 5

God does some miraculous things in this chapter, and the Israelites of this generation should have no excuse to doubt His power afterward. Up until this time, many of them had only heard the stories about God parting the Red Sea. Now, they are seeing for themselves how He did it, but with the Jordan… Continue reading Bible studies for writers | Joshua 4