Day 81: Israel Crosses the Jordan

Today's readings: Joshua 1-4 and Psalm 123.

I. Joshua 1 records God's commissioning of Joshua after the death of Moses and prepares Israel to enter the Promised Land. In the next chapter, we are told the story of Rahab and the Israelite spies in Jericho. Interestingly, Rahab is described as being a prostitute, using lies to protect the Israelite spies (contrary to CCC 1789), and became an ancestor of Jesus (Mt 1:5). Despite her questionable morals, her faith in God is strong (2:8-14), for which she was praised later on (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25).

Joshua 3 recounts Israel's miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, marking the beginning of their entrance into the Promised Land. I almost feel like giving a big sigh of relief that they finally made it! The next chapter describes how Israel memorialized this event at Gilgal with twelve stones so future generations would remember God's mighty works.

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, has some good commentary on this opening:

The first words of the Lord to Joshua are meant not just for him but for the entire people of Israel: "Be strong and of good courage" (Joshua 1:9). That is, they should be neither frightened nor dismayed, for the Lord will be with them wherever they go. Even in the midst of struggles, trials, and failures, we can still be strong and of good courage because the Lord is with us in our hearts. (p. 174)

So we've entered the Promised Land at last. Rather shocking for Jesus to have an ancestor like Rahab, but not really if one remembers why He said that He came (Mt 9:13). God always seeks to bring even the most miserable sinners back to Him.

II. Psalm 123 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:

A lament psalm. The Psalmist (the "I" in 123:1) offers a prayer of petition and trustful reliance upon God in the name of his community (the "us" of 123:2-4), which is being ridiculed by arrogant foes (123:4). The unnamed culprits may be wicked Israelites persecuting their kin or hostile neighbors opposing the efforts of the Judean community to rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian Exile (as in Neh 2:19; 4:1, 4). (p. 941)

Seems rather appropriate for this psalm to be paired with the story of Rahab, as the "I" in the psalm could be her in Jericho in supplication for mercy from God.

That's all for today!