Deuteronomy 30 - Joshua 8: A harlot, a warrior angel, and life & good

- "Choose life," began one of Moses' last admonitions to the people before he died. Just before, God said this through Moses:

"Look at what I've done for you today: I've placed in front of you Life and Good [or] Death and Evil....Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself" (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

- An amazing promise to hang on to today: "God, your God, will cross the river ahead of you..." (Deut 31:3)

- When things look terrible and you are scared out of your wits:  "Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them [your enemies] a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you" (Deut 31:6)
- Historical note:  The Israelite people had been "landless" for 500 years and these words of admonition by God through Moses are directed to them just as they are about to claim the Promised Land. The land was "an unremarkable stretch of territory sandwiched between two massive and already ancient civilizations," explains Eugene Peterson. Those two civilizations were Egypt and Mesopotamia. But that piece of land, promised to Abraham and his descendants, was about to become very important through God's plan for his people.
- Angelic armies afoot:  Joshua encounters the commander of God's army--an angel, who looked like a man, holding a drawn sword (Joshua 5:13-15).
- The harlot:  Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, housed and protected two Israelite spies. As a result she was saved from destruction, along with all of her family (Joshua 2, 6). She later married an Israelite man named Salmon, and she is listed in the New Testament genealogies as one of Jesus' ancestors. Ancient literature rarely names women as they were not considered very important, but here we have the name of a common woman with great faith, courage, and wisdom. Love this story!

Elena's verse of the day:  "I've commanded you to be strong and brave. Don't ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God" (Joshua 1:9).