Mar9:
Moses did a lot for the Lord. He went back to a land where he was wanted for murder. He dealt with Israel's constant bickering and complaining. He led them to the edge of the Promised Land and there he failed. Despite that shortcoming, he did a lot. I think (from my limited human perspective) the Lord seems rather tough on this guy. He seemed to score about a 98% on his leadership test and yet - he doesn't even receive a thank you. I'm not expecting a big thank you at the end of my journey but it struck me - what does the Lord think of my work? How would he rate my effort to "lead His people" in my neck of the woods? I'd be happy with a score much lower than Moses' that's for sure - it's tough work. I (with all due respect to the Lord) think Moses should have gotten into the Promised Land. The best part of his character is that despite doing all this for the Lord - and being barred from the Land he desperately wanted to experience - I don't read one word of Moses' complaining or arguing about his fate - could be that he authored these words and he creatively left them out - or it could be that he had a great perspective of the magnitude of God. I vote for the latter.

I like our commentators words here:
Abraham taught his family about faith.
Moses taught this nation about law.
One is coming that will teach the entire world about grace and love. JESUS!

Mar10:
Fantastic words:
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be care to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do no let this Book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

Why did the spies go to the house of the prostitute and stay there? Did they use her services? It doesn't clarify this to us at all? One is left to assume they did.

"Be strong and courageous" must have become the "vision statement" of this young nation under Joshua's control. As the Reubenites and Gadites respond to Joshua regarding their commitment to fight, they too, end their discussion with that phrase. Interesting.

Can you imagine the excitement that Israel is feeling on this morning? They are finally crossing over into the land they've heard about all of their lives. Many of these people didn't experience Egypt. They've only known about the journey - which was coming to an end. I can only imagine the excitement - and nervousness.

What is the difference between Moses' experience at the Red Sea and the Jordan River? The Red Sea didn't have a flow ... it had to "wall up" on both sides - creating a crazy experience of walking through a "half pike" in today's terms. This Jordan River had to be "walled up" only upstream, causing an unusual dryness to occur downstream. Of course - in typical God-style - He didn't pick the natural dry season to cross the Jordan - the Lord showed His power and might by holding back the river when it was already at it's traditional flood stage. There had to be great flooding upstream as these waters were miraculously stopped. I would imagine this would also cause a wider space to cross for Israel.

I envision this river being the key to keeping Israel from running back to their "old life" too. Once they crossed the river, they had no way of returning - it was all or nothing now! No turning back! Cool!

God also began to wain his children from himself in many ways ... or began to prepare them for their new homes. The flow of manna stopped just as the produce from Canaan could be enjoyed. God began to put the taste of the Promised Land in their life - a taste that could only be satisfied by conquering the land. This was likely done to give the Israelites the resolve to obey the Lord even more than before.

How cool is the arrival of the "Commander of the Lord's Army"? Really cool!!! Here we go!!

Isn't this better than the law and sacrifices??!!! Go God!!