How many times have you had something go wrong with your computer, wonder what’s happening, only be told the solution is to “restart?” It always amazes me how that restart does the trick. In our Bible account, we see that a cleansing was needed, a “restart” of sorts. We get a front row seat to watch the covenant between God and his people being restored.
In our recent readings, we saw how God was with Joshua as he led the people across the Jordan River. We saw a magnificent display of power dismantle the fortified city of Jericho. Then one bad apple angered God by being disobedient. It didn’t end well for him, did it? Then we saw the great victory over Ai. Before much more time was to pass, Joshua followed Moses’ instructions to restore the covenant with God.
It was a good reminder for all of God’s instructions and expectations. Lest there be any doubt of God’s provision for his people, the connection was strengthened and restored again. Joshua followed the rules, “Make me an altar from stones that are uncut and have not been shaped with iron tools.” He wrote on these stones the “instructions Moses had given them.”
Did you ever get in trouble in school and have to write on the board to memorialize the offense? Something like, “I will never talk back to the teacher again.” When you write something over and over again, it becomes part of you. That’s how I imagine this act of writing the law on the rocks. Not only was Joshua reminded by writing, but the people were reminded from watching.
Then, to engage the sense of hearing, “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction.” Going forward as a people, as a nation under God, the people were again reminded of how they should live. Did they want to receive a blessing or a curse? What should their behavior look like?
The people that day were given a gift. The covenant with God was restored. God’s anger had subsided. How would the people respond? We’ll follow their story as we continue through the Book of Joshua.
What sorts of traditions or remembrances do you use to keep God’s word on your heart? Take some time today to pay your respects to God for all he has done for you during your life.
Let’s pray … Father God, thank you for your wisdom. Thank you that you make it easy to find, if only we start searching. Open up my eyes to see clearly the direction you have for me today. Open my mind to accept your will for me. Open my heart to be ready to serve you in ways that you desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
