Joshua chapters 3 and 4 describe how Israel crossed the Jordan River into the land of Canaan. More about the ethics of that next week. After forty years sequestered in the desert as virtual nomads, the people stand on the banks of the Jordan River. Behind them lies a generation shaped by slavery, exodus, testing, and …
Finding my place in the story of God
Last week, we looked at the big picture of the conquest of the city of Jericho, recorded in Joshua chapter 6. Today, I want to focus on the small picture of one of the Canaanite residents of that city. What comes to mind when I mention the character Bianca in Othello, Belle in Gone with the Wind, Fantine in Les Miserable, Satine …
The Jerichos of our lives
I love a good worship album. I’ve been listening since the late 1980s. One of my favourite early albums features a song led by British songwriter Graham Kendrick titled, “Lift high the banners of love.” I’ve listened to the album countless times. Spliced into the heart of Kendrick’s song is an interlude where he declares: …
Courage for the journey
“Be strong and courageous!” It sounds like a quote from a self-help manual. The opening chapter of the Book of Joshua is one of the Bible’s great texts on courage. Following the death of Moses, Joshua faces the daunting task of leading Israel into the promised land. The people are in transition. Their great leader …
The wind beneath your wings
We’ve all heard the phrase “You are the wind beneath my wings,” a metaphor expressing gratitude toward someone whose support has enabled us to succeed, flourish, or achieve greatness in life. A bird or aircraft is able to defy gravity because air moving beneath its wings generates lift. The phrase came to fame through the song Wind …
All Told 