Joshua 24: So Long, Joshua

And so we reach the end of Joshua, the book and the man. In many ways, this feels like the end of the Torah: The “end” of the story that began in Genesis with Abraham and continued with Moses in Egypt and through the desert wandering. Seeing this as a significant moment, Joshua chooses his …

Joshua 23: A Long Time Afterward . . .

A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies all around . . . Every so often strange coincidences make you pause. You wonder to yourself, “did that really just happen? Did I really just read that?” Yes, I did. These are the first words of Joshua 23 …

Joshua 22: Why We Desperately Need Altars Today

Have you ever heard the story of the giant altar that saved Israel from civil war? No? Neither had I. Until today. Why, oh why does no one preach on this?!? Seriously! This story is up there with Zelophehad’s Daughters and the stories of the Inclusive God in Numbers. I loved it! And we have …

Joshua 21: Promises, Promises

Doesn’t everyone love it when someone else makes good on a promise? Don’t you feel good? Don’t you feel like all is right in the world? That is kind of the feel of the end of Joshua. What emotions come to mind while you read these few verses?  Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land …

Joshua 20: Cities of Refuge (part 3)

Who wants to talk about Cities of Refuge . . . AGAIN? Ooh! Ooh! Me! Me! The first time was in Numbers. Then it happened again in Deuteronomy. Now we have one in Joshua. And like anything in the Bible, if you see it over and over and over again, it must be important. For …

Joshua 19: Israelite Tribal Mottos

“Eureka . . . I Have Found It!” That is my home state of California’s official motto. Don’t you love that it has an ellipsis in it? But just so I share the love, my current state of Oregon’s motto is: “Alis Volat Propiis” She flies with her own wings. States need mottos. That is …

Joshua 17: Why The Tribe of Manasseh is Like The Empire from Star Wars

Everyone, listen up!

I’ve discovered gold! Metaphorical gold, but gold nonetheless. I may have stumbled upon the inspiration for a major plot point in “Return of the Jedi.”

To think, all along it was just hiding out in the Bible. There for all to see. How did no one else pick up on this yet?

Well, I think I’m a pretty generous guy so I want to share my “gold” with you. Because I like you and all. And I just wrote a sappy “Thank You” post on friday. How could I not share with you after all the nice things you said?

Ok. Are you ready? See if you can spot it.

Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, Ibleam and its villages, the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages (the third is Naphath). Yet the Manassites could not take possession of those towns;

Did you see it? Here. I’ll give you a little help.

. . . the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages . . . Yet the Manassites could not take possession of those towns;

Inhabitants of Endor?

Manasseh couldn’t drive them out?

Hmmmm, that sounds awfully familiar.

Here is a slightly more terrifying depiction of what really would have happened.

I’m not sure I want to think about the conquest of Canaan anymore if the part of the Canaanites will be played by Ewoks.

Joshua 15: The Allotment for Judah

Warning: Do not read this section of Joshua without a MAP!!! The only reason this chapter (and the chapters that will follow) made sense to me was because I could reference the places mentioned on a Bible Atlas. I got an app on my iPad that has a Bible maps sampler on it. It’s a …

Joshua 13: Why Being Old Isn’t That Bad

This is going to be one of those times I latch on to one verse and milk it for all it’s worth. In Good Company Now Joshua was old and advanced in years; and the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years . . .” Aside from God’s penchant for stating …

Joshua 12: The Post-Game Interview

(The following is an interview that took place in Israel’s locker room after their championship-round defeat of the King of Tizrah) Well Joshua, it’s been a great season. You and your team went undefeated this year. And if that weren’t enough, every one of your games was on the road. How’d you do it? Well, …