Daily Retreat 08/16/07
2007 Aug 16 Thu/ Stephen of Hungary, mm
Jos 3:7-10a. 11. 13-17/ Ps 113(114):1-2. 3-4. 5-6/ Mt 18:21 – 19:1
From today’s readings: “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God.... When Israel came forth from Egypt.... Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? ”
Joshua
For many people, the ruthless military campaigns recorded in the Book of Joshua make its 24 chapters among the least edifying scripture readings. Nevertheless, the book is indisputably part of the Bible, and so, part of the divine revelation God has given us to ground our faith. We thus ignore or discard this text at our own peril!
The name “Joshua” is a Hebrew word meaning “the Lord saves.” When the Hebrew scriptures were translated intro Greek, “Joshua” was rendered “Jesus,” so our Savior’s Name was actually derived from the name of the hero of this book of the Bible, who was the assistant and eventual successor of Moses. For this reason, a number of the Church Fathers commented on how Joshua pre-figured Jesus as Savior.
The Book of Joshua can be divided in three parts. Chapters 1-12 give the account of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, including the miraculous crossing of the Jordan (chapter 3 - today’s reading) and fall of Jericho (chapter 6). Chapters 13-21 relate details of the division of the land among the Israelite tribes. Finally, chapters 22-24 recount Joshua’s last words and deeds, including the renewal of the covenant. While the lectionary only covers a small portion of Joshua, the book is a fairly easy read (particularly the first half), and so we should take up the book and follow Joshua’s invitation to “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God.”
Jos 3:7-10a. 11. 13-17/ Ps 113(114):1-2. 3-4. 5-6/ Mt 18:21 – 19:1
From today’s readings: “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God.... When Israel came forth from Egypt.... Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? ”
Joshua
For many people, the ruthless military campaigns recorded in the Book of Joshua make its 24 chapters among the least edifying scripture readings. Nevertheless, the book is indisputably part of the Bible, and so, part of the divine revelation God has given us to ground our faith. We thus ignore or discard this text at our own peril!
The name “Joshua” is a Hebrew word meaning “the Lord saves.” When the Hebrew scriptures were translated intro Greek, “Joshua” was rendered “Jesus,” so our Savior’s Name was actually derived from the name of the hero of this book of the Bible, who was the assistant and eventual successor of Moses. For this reason, a number of the Church Fathers commented on how Joshua pre-figured Jesus as Savior.
The Book of Joshua can be divided in three parts. Chapters 1-12 give the account of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Promised Land, including the miraculous crossing of the Jordan (chapter 3 - today’s reading) and fall of Jericho (chapter 6). Chapters 13-21 relate details of the division of the land among the Israelite tribes. Finally, chapters 22-24 recount Joshua’s last words and deeds, including the renewal of the covenant. While the lectionary only covers a small portion of Joshua, the book is a fairly easy read (particularly the first half), and so we should take up the book and follow Joshua’s invitation to “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD, your God.”
posted by FrPitstick | 8/15/2007
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