Week 17: Stone-deaf? Not this stone!

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

* Sunday: Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23
* Monday: Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25
* Tuesday: Judges 2:10-3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2
* Wednesday: Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4
* Thursday: Judges 6; Luke 22:54-23:12; Psalm 95 & 96; Proverbs 14:5-6
* Friday: Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97 & 98; Proverbs 14:7-8
* Saturday: Judges 8:18-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99; Proverbs 14:9-10

Scripture: Joshua 24:26-27
Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the LORD. Joshua said to all the
people, "This stone has heard everything the LORD said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God."

Observation
These verses occur in the last chapter of the book of Joshua. Some observations that struck me are:

* First, Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. In other words, Joshua "edited" (or added to, rather) the Book of the Law of God. We know and generally accept that the Book of the Law of God is mostly written by Moses (the Torah = the 5 books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). But we also know that Moses could not have written the account of his own death in Deuteronomy 34. It made me wonder in the past who would have "edited" those books, and it appears that Joshua would be at least one of them. This makes perfect sense of course, since he was Moses' successor, and was probably the one closest to Moses during the latter part of Moses' life on earth.

* Secondly, Joshua uses a very large stone as a witness, and he goes as far as to say that "this stone has heard everything the LORD said to us". At first sight, this is rather strange. Obviously, the stone has no ears, nor is there any life in this stone. Joshua, of course, knows this very well himself. But he also knows the power of symbols to remind us, and to remind God of things that were said and promised.

The things that were said and promised were extremely serious. In response to Joshua's famous words "... but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD", the people respond in verse 21: "No, we are determined to serve the LORD", upon which Joshua responds in verse 22: "You are accountable for this decision." The people agree they are accountable, so Joshua makes a covenant with the people, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the LORD (v25).

As a symbol of that covenant, Joshua places a huge bolder next to the Tabernacle of the LORD. When the people see that stone, they are reminded of the covenant. If they break the covenant (and they did), the stone still served as a reminder, especially when God disciplined them. The next time they would show up at the Tabernacle, the stone would still be there.

Application
We have many symbols that remind us of the covenant we have entered into with the LORD. The most powerful symbol is the LORD's Supper that we celebrate regularly. These symbols remind us of the covenant the LORD has made with us. This is a covenant of unfailing love, as you can read about in your reading of Psalm 89:14 Your throne is founded on two strong pillars--righteousness and justice. Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

And later in that Psalm:
30 But if his sons forsake my law and fail to walk in my ways, 31 if they do not obey my decrees and fail to keep my commands, 32 then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their disobedience with beating. 33 But I will never stop loving him, nor let my promise to him fail. 34 No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said.

God will not break his covenant and never stop loving us, even if at times we stray. What an awesome God!!

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for your covenant with us, that you gave your one and only Son to pay the price that we had to pay. Thank you for the powerful symbols you gave us that remind us of that sacrifice, so we may never forget. We love you and we worship you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great week.

In Him,

Dick