Gail Landgraf posted: " Photo by Julian Jagtenberg on Pexels.com As the people of Israel prepared to move into the Promised Land under Joshua's new leadership; God is spelling out His plan for their prosperity and success. These words are what God spoke to Joshua: "Be " The IN SEASON Lifestyle
As the people of Israel prepared to move into the Promised Land under Joshua's new leadership; God is spelling out His plan for their prosperity and success.
These words are what God spoke to Joshua:
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:7-8)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to our fourth lesson on The Book of Joshua. We are glad to have you join in with THE COME AS A CHILD BIBLE STUDY from every Thursday's post in The IN SEASON Lifestyle blog. If you wish to receive the weekly lessons in your e-mail each week just sign the form at the top of each of our blog posts.
OBEY THE LAW OF MOSES
How many times do we hear God reminding everyone to obey the Law that He gave to Moses?
I wish I had an accurate count; but I know the number has to be high. Obedience to the law seems to be on the top of God's list for what the people need to do.
It was true back then; and it is still true today. The ten commandments are God's best ways to live. Everything about them (when obeyed) will bring happiness, joy and prosperity into daily living.
THE CHANGE TO MORE INDIVIDUAL THINKING
This seems to be exactly what God was reminding them. Life would be different when they were living in the lands they had inherited. It would require more independent thinking as the tribes would no longer be moving together.
Though they still were divided into tribes; they would be busy establishing their own individual spaces now. Each family would come to a place they called home and inhabit that land.
This made the words of the law even more relevant. If their new daily habits incorporated carrying out God's ways from the very beginning of this fresh new lifestyle; life would be so much easier.
Why?
Because the laws were made for the benefit of humans.
THE BEST WAY TO LIVE
The Ten Commandments take our human nature into consideration and help us to overcome all of our weaknesses.
Each commandment from the law of God teaches us two ways to live; with love for God and with love for our fellowman. Where love is taught and enforced daily; there will always be less stress, anxiety, trouble and trials. Instead you will find happiness, joy, abundance and thanksgiving.
THE FOUNDATION OF LOVE
Love is the true foundation from which every law originated.
I'm sure of what my choice would be between these contrasting lifestyles. What about you?
Why do people have so much trouble understanding how helpful the Law of God is for the most excellent existence of our homes, communities and nations?
They provide a natural progression into prosperity and success and they work with any people group that choses to apply them.
The self-help books of Israel were written in the shape of ten tablets of stone. These could not be erased, so they would never be forgotten.
DO NOT TURN FROM IT TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT
I find these words to be very familiar. The modern world of politics has given the words "right" and "left" to each side of the political spectrum of today's society. However; God told the Israelites to walk straight and not to turn right or left; as either way would upset the law that brings balance and unity into daily life.
If one choses to keep God's commandments faithfully, it isn't about taking sides or joining up with one group pitted against another. It is more about becoming righteous and doing the right thing; no matter what.
When others oppose that you're keeping the law; this should not bother you. Christians answer to God. God is never wrong, though human organizations such as courts and governments can be led astray. God knows the end from the beginning and He has already seen history played outside of our times. His laws have been proven over and over again to be the best way for mankind to live.
Joshua reminds the people of this fact and encourages them to do as the passage states; to speak of the law whenever it is appropriate and to meditate on the wisdom of the law both day and night.
THE PLAN FOR SUCCESS
God notes that this is His plan that will bring prosperity and success to the people of this new nation. Joshua gives them the first-ever ten step program, and it should have been the last one they would ever need.
If only they could have paid attention!
Let us not say the same thing about our own nations. It isn't too late. Many have tried to re-write God's ways, but they are still the best plan available. It isn't legalism to follow the law today; it is an act of love that proves that you want to be faithful to the One who died for all the times you were not.
Keeping God's laws proves that we love Jesus. This blog has posted many articles regarding the law and the Ten Commandments of God. Just in case you wish to review them; I will give you the following ten links. It is always a good thing to meditate on the law. God is always showing us more and more of why it works for us.
Here is a link for studying each of the ten commandments:
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