Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 1-2: Moses’ Death and Rahab

Thoughts

Deuteronomy 34

This might have been written by Joshua or a priest unless God told Moses what to write.

There seems to be a theme with mountains and Moses

“His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished”: We learn that Moses did not die of old age, but because of his sin that kept him from going into the Promised Land.

Jude 1:9 says ““But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”

Moses will appear again at the transfiguration

“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,”

Joshua 1

“Be strong and courageous” is mentioned 4x in this chapter

Joshua in Hebrew is יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) similar to Jesus’ name יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) (more often used post-exile)

Joshua was probably around 80 years old (if he was similar in age to Caleb who we know was 40 when sent out)

verses 3-5 is the same as Deuteronomy 11 24-25

Joshua prepares the people to set out in 3 days, and reminds the three tribes staying back of their promise to help fight.

The people respond with full support for Joshua’s leadership, promising to obey him as they did Moses

Joshua 2 Rahab and the Spies

Shittim (שִׁטִּים) means “acacias” and in English translations it might say “Acacia Grove” 

Rahab told a lie to protect the spies

Rahab declares “for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath”

She might have heard all these tales from the men frequenting her house

She asks them to spare her family when Jericho falls. The spies agree and pledge protection in return for her help.

I love the theme of a woman coming to the rescue (Miriam, Pharaoh’s daughter in Exodus, Zipporah, Rahab)

“Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.”

Questions

What did Moses feel seeing the Promised Land?

Why could no one know where Moses was buried?

Why did they stay at a prostitute’s house?

How did Rahab know that God gave them the land?

Are there times where lying is ok?

How did the spies know it was ok to spare Rahab?

Application

Be strong and courageous. What does that look like today? It might mean standing firm in our faith when those around us don’t, or persevering through trials when life feels overwhelming. . Whatever it may be, we need to trust in God’s presence over our own strength. Reading the Word can keep us grounded and talking to God through every moment in our life can help give us hope.