March 21 Readings

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The Back to the Bible OT and NT Together Reading Plan

Joshua 7-9; Luke 1.21-38

Joshua 7
Having experienced the victory at Jericho, Joshua sent spies in Ai. Notice Joshua nor the Israelites asked God for counsel! The spies came back and said that they should send a few thousand men. when the men attacked Ai, they were soundly defeated. (v. 2-5) Joshua prayed to the Lord and asked why it happened (v 6-9). The Lord told Joshua of the sin in the camp. Someone had violated the covenant, the devoted things of God was violated, it was stolen. The people were told to consecrate themselves.They would not win the battle until the issue with the devoted things were corrected. God revealed who the person was after identifying the tribe, clan and family. (v. 10-15). Achan came forward and confess his guilt (v. 16-21). He was identified by tribe, clan and family. He was stoned for his sin v. 22-26). What can we learn from this? To do God's work we have to be faithful in big things and SMALL things. All Achan did was stole silver a robe and a gold wedge, this was a miniscule amount from the things they have captured in Jericho! A small sin can affect your Christian life and ministry. The sin needs to be confessed (1John 1.9), restitution and reconcilation needs to be done as well.

Joshua 8
God promised Joshua Ai. Now God was INVOLVED. Joshua plans the ambush (3-9), the God's plan was set (10-17), implemented (v. 18-23) and the inhabitants destroyed (24-29), an altar was built at Mount Ebal to the Lord (v. 30-33). Joshua then read all the words of the law- the blessings and the curse. (v. 34-35)

Joshua 9
The kings west of Jordan formed an alliance against Joshua (v. 1-2) The Gibeoinits tricked Joshua (v. 3-25) The oath that what Joshua made spared the Gibeonites Lives (v. 16-21)

Joshua 7, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Joshua 8, with Commentaries, verse by verse
Joshua 9, with Commentaries, verse by verse

Other Links
OT Gateway Links on Joshua
Introduction to Joshua by Malik
Malik Argument of Joshua
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Calvin on Joshua 1-18
Calvin on Joshua 19-24
Doug Goins on Joshua, scroll down
Spurgeon's Sermons on Joshua
Biblebb.com Website
Studies in the Life of Joshua by J. Hampton Keathley III


Luke 1.21-38
In Luke 1.21-25, when Zechariah came out of the temple, he was speechless, and people realized that he saw a vision. when his time of service was completed he returned home. After this, Elizabeth became pregnant. Zechariah knew the scriptures, he remembered the story of Sarah and Abraham, the story of Samson and Eli. All of these woem were barren and childless, yet God intervened and gave them all sons. What can we learn from this? God will use people who are 'weak and insignificant' according to the world's standards to achieve his glory. We must trust and obey him so that He couls use us for His glory.

In Luke 1.26-38, in the town town of Nazareth, Gabriel was sent, this time to a virgin named Mary. Again, Gabriel said, Do not be afraid! , this time to Mary. Notice the announcement he gave her of who Jesus will be 'He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' We should rejoice that He is king and His kingdom will never end regardless what is happening in our lives today. One of the great mystery of the Christian faith is the incarnation that Jesus is both God and man.

More Links in Luke
Introduction to Luke-Malik
Argument for the Gospel of Luke-Malik
Deffinbaugh on Luke
Lightfoot on Luke
Ritchie on Luke
Dr. Thomas Constable Study Notes is a PDF file, open with Adobe Acrobatic Reader
Sermons on Luke by Ryle, Spurgeon, and Whitefield
John Piper Sermons on Luke


Jesus Saves
This Posting is NOT a commentary of the passages read today but it is a devotional. Please send a comment if something spoke to you today from the passages, links or thoughts that I have shared with you.