9/22 Reading (Joshua 13-15; 2 Thessalonians 3)

Joshua 13: This chapter is the start of the process of distributing land to the 12 tribes of Israel. We first learn what land is still unconquered. The text then reminds us what land was already allotted by Moses before they crossed the Jordan river (east of the river). 

Joshua 14: Now we get into the allotment of land west of the river. The first to get land is Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, who was one of the original 12 spies sent to Canaan by Moses in Numbers. 

Joshua 15: Chapter describes in detail the borders of the land that the tribe of Judah was given. I thought this last verse was interesting: ā€œBut the people of Judah couldnā€™t remove the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. So today the Jebusites still live along with the people of Judah in Jerusalemā€ (Joshua 15.63; CEB study bible). According to the notes in the NRSV bible, this was here to point out that the people failed to conquer Jerusalem. 

2 Thessalonians 3: Paul asks the people to pray for them as they continue doing their ministry. He also ā€œconfronts the issue of those who refuse to work and urges the readers to shun those who refuse to follow his teachingā€ (NRSV version, p. 2083). 

9/21 Reading (Joshua 10-12; 2 Thessalonians 2)

Joshua 10: Chapter is all about Israelā€™s victories in the south over the five kings. The kings are all executed. One question I do have comes from this verse: ā€œIsnā€™t this written in the Jashar scroll?ā€ (CEB Study Bible, p. 343 OT; Joshua 10.13) Whatā€™s the Jashar scroll? According to the notes it is ā€œan ancient source mentioned also in 2 Samuel 1:18. The origin and contents of the scroll are unknown, but apparently it contained at least these two poems and perhaps othersā€ (p. 343 OT).

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9/20 Reading (Joshua 7-9; 2 Thessalonians 1)

Joshua 7: Israel loses to Ai in battle all because Achan took what belonged to God. For this, Achan, his family, and all of his possessions were killed and destroyed. WOW! Such harsh punishment. The sins of one person directly impact everyone and lead to the death of an entire family.

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