Listen

O. T. #462  "Listen"
February 18, 2015
Joshua 8-Part 2
There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.  Joshua 8:35

LET IT GLOW

*I had to make a correction on the previous post: It was Joshua's 5,000 warriors on the north side who fled, resulting in the men of Ai to pursue them away from the their town. Then the Israeli army of 30,000 men, who waited to ambush the town, did so. I am sorry for the mix up.

After the God-given victory at Ai, What did Joshua do next?

• He built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel on Mount Ebal, which rises 3,077 feet above sea level. Joshua showed his thankfulness for the victory of Jericho and Ai to his God. (verse 30)
• The altar was made of whole stones, unshaped by iron, untainted by human showmanship.
• Offered upon this altar were burnt offerings unto the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings. (verse 31)

Do we give our offerings to the Lord with an attitude of reverence or as a duty?


LET IT GROW

I went outside on this below freezing morning to turn off the water to the cow trough. All was still and quiet, except one single bird was singing its praises to the Lord. This is the third day of ice and snow on the ground (only 2 inches). Aren't we blessed? The WalMart trucks were not passing by on the highway. No traffic was roaring at all, come to think of it. People were not scurrying about to start their day, taking kids to school. Animals must have stayed home, too.(Contented cows were eating hay without a sound.) Oh the quietness is such a rare thing. I should have joined the bird in song, but my toes told me to hurry to the warm house.

How serious do we take the Word of God when it is read? Do we take it for granted and allow our mind to wander off? Or do we struggle to remain focused upon it at all? Are we intent on listening to God's instructions to us?


What else did Joshua do after the victory at Ai?

• Joshua wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. (verse 32)
• The Ark of the Covenant was surrounded by the elders, officers, judges, and priests.(verse 33)
• Israel gathered in the valley between the two mountains, that were pronounced the blessing and curse as commanded by Moses in Deut. 27:12; some people were on both mountains. (verses 33-35) The mountains formed a natural amphitheater that made it acoustically possible for all Israel to hear every word that was spoken. (Falwell)
• Afterwards, Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to Deut. 27:12. (verse 34)

The altar, in obedience to the instructions of Exodus 20:24-26, was built on uncut stones, thus keeping worship simple and untainted by human showmanship. Joshua gave God's Word a detailed and central place. (MacArthur)

How seriously do we take the Word of God when it is read? Do we listen attentively? Are we teaching our children and grandchildren to honor, respect, and obey God's Word?

LET IT GO

Spend time studying the Word of God.

Apply the Word to my life.

Listen with my heart whenever God's Word is read.

Listen to the world around me. What is it saying?