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7/17 Reading Portions: Joshua 24; Acts 4; Jeremiah 13; Matthew 27
‘And when they cried to the LORD, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time.’ Joshua 24:7
PROPHECY
In this last discourse of Joshua to Israel before he died, he spoke as a prophet to the people. Joshua proclaimed the sovereign grace of God in the calling of and promise to Abraham (Josh 24:1-3); the separation of two nations— in Esau, having been given the land of Seir, and Jacob going down to Egypt (Josh 1:4); and Israel’s deliverance from Egypt’s bondage (Josh 1:5-6). Joshua also highlighted some of the events occurring during their wilderness wandering and subsequent crossing of the Jordan to possess the land (Josh 1:7-13). Finally, he charged them to serve YHVH God and not the idols their father’s served (Josh 24:14). The people answered that they would serve the LORD (Josh 24:16-17), but Joshua told them outright that they were unable to serve a holy God unless they “put away the foreign gods that [were] among them” (Josh 24:19-23).
The warning about idolatry is a reality for every fallen descendant of Adam. Yet YHVH, through Joshua, provided an encouraging exhortation prior to the admonishment when expressing the pursuit of the Egyptians in our verse today. Israel cried to the LORD (Ex 14:10); and the LORD kept Israel safe with darkness behind them and before their enemies; and with the same path that was Israel’s escape, the Red Sea became the destruction of the forces of wickedness after them; and through this, they had seen the mighty protection of the LORD; which was important, because they refused to enter God’s Promise, they lived in the wilderness a long time.
Since we’ve been redeemed, it seems like it’s such a long wait until Christ’s return; especially with the flesh rising and idolatry chasing after us; just like the Egyptians pursuing Israel. We need only cry to the LORD, our heavenly Father, and our spiritual eyes will see what the Lord Jesus did to the Egypt of our lives. Then, we may hear and heed the command of the true Joshua, Jesus Christ, in order to put away those idols so we may serve the LORD. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
