Thursday, February 12, 2009

February 14

Joshua Named as Successor - Numbers 27:15-23; Two-and-a-Half Tribes East of Jordan - Numbers 32:1-42, Deuteronomy 4:41-43; Preparations for Conquest and Settlement - Numbers 33:50-56, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Numbers 34:1-29, 35:1-8

A Joshua Tree.
How did the Joshua tree get its name?  The story goes that the Mormon pioneers thought the Joshua Tree's limb look like the upstretched arms of Joshua leading the Children of Israel to the Promised Land.

After so many years and miles and memorable moments with Moses as the leader, Joshua is made his replacement in just a matter of verses.  I wonder if the people felt the suddenness of the transition?  Sort of like moving from Bush to Obama.  Remember Bush?  

It makes me pause and wonder.  Such an important change handled with such brevity in scripture.  Joshua steps into a very different job than the one Moses had.  He doesn't have Aaron to speak for him.  He doesn't have a Miriam's female influence.  It's just Joshua.  The wandering is done.  The people don't need the same type of leadership.  

It's time for war and not wandering.


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