Joshua 24:1-27
This scripture passage is at the close of the book of Joshua and describes one of the last acts that Joshua did as leader of the Hebrew people. Shechem is located in Canaan and was part of the tribal land of Ephraim. It was located on a central trade route and was an important city. Joshua calls the tribal leaders to assemble there. Joshua begins with an outline of the history of the Hebrew people starting with Abraham family when they worshipped idols. The continues through the covenant that God had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He retraces their journey into Egypt and the journey out under the leadership of Moses and Aaron, the conquest of the land, a land which he describes as a gift from God that the people did not build or work for.
Now Joshua (vs. 14) calls for the people to affirm their allegiance to Yahweh, who has done all of these things, not only with their words, but with their actions. Obviously there a long standing family stories of idol worship, superstitions and things they hold onto, not fully committed to and trusting of God. Joshua affirms that he and his house will be the first to clear out the old ways and fully embrace the loyalty and worship of God as their practice.
The people respond that they will do the same, but Joshua challenges them by saying that they cannot do so on their own. The people are more insistent that they will worship God and God only. Joshua draws up a document listing all the people say they will do and the laws and commands. He tells them that their oath to fulfill this will be a witness against them if they do not fulfill it. He records it in the Book of the Law of God and sets up a large stone to serve as a witness as well. Compare this with I Samuel 7:12 when Samuel sets up a stone and calls it Ebenezer as a witness of God’s rescue. Think of ways in which monuments serve, not just to memorialize, but to actually hold us to task to keep a promise. What objects in your life serve as a remembrance to keep faithful to promises who have made?
PSALM 78:1-7
This psalm, which we had not long ago, reminds us of faithfulness for us to keep the teachings God has laid down for us. It also reminds us of our responsibilities to teach the generations that come after us. In what ways do you feel responsible either as an individual or a member of a group (family, church, community) to make sure that each generation is being taught? How much do you leave for others to do?
Matthew 25:1-13
The 25th chapter of Matthew is a part of a longer teaching by Jesus about the kingdom of heaven. This a term that only Matthew uses, while other gospels use kingdom of God. In the 25th chapter there are three parables about the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 25:1-13 is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Typically these virgins are bridesmaids who are responsible for preparing the bride to meet the bridegroom. While the word lamp is used, more likely our word for torch would be more realistic for an outdoor procession. In the parable five are described as being wise for they took along extra oil and five were foolish because they did not take extra oil. The bridegroom is longer in coming than they anticipated. The bridesmaids fall asleep until the notice comes at midnight that they bridegroom is arriving. The torches or lamps need to be refueled and five have the resources to do so and five have to go out and secure more oil. While the five are out searching for oil, the bridegroom arrives and all go inside. When the others arrive with more oil, they are told that it is too late to enter. In fact, the doorkeepers do not acknowledge knowing or recognizing those outside. Jesus concluding line for this parable is: therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
What lesson or teaching about the kingdom of heaven do you garner from this story?
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
In the early church one of the strongest teachings was that Jesus was going to return and gather the church with him. One of the most fearful rumors was either that was false or that Christ had already come and the present believers had missed that opportunity, which probably was understood that they were not good enough or not acceptable. Paul writes to the Thessalonians to reaffirm that Christ is going to come for the Church, but that there would be an order in which Christ redeems the Christians: those who have died will rise first and then any who remain will be caught up in the air with them and for all to be forever with the Lord.
Paul ends this section by saying, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” What encouragement might you find in those words if you had lived in that first century church? Do you find any encouragement in those words in this present day? How would you share or explain that encouragement with a new Christian or with a Christian who was perplexed about the return of Christ?
Prayer: Almighty God, no matter who we are or what status of life we have, we call depend upon the encouragement that comes from family, friends, mentors, classmates, teammates, co-workers, supervisors and from your word. Help us to receive the encouragements that come to us and may they become strength for our journey. Amen.