trusted online casino malaysia
Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The Scriptorium

Law and Promise

You can't get to the promises except through the Law.

Joshua 1 (3)

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1.7-9

Reflect and discuss.
1.  How does the Law of God relate to our salvation? Are we saved by keeping the Law? Are we saved without keeping the Law? Explain.

2.  What role does the Law of God play in your own walk with the Lord? How does this compare with what the Lord commanded Joshua in Joshua 1.7-9?

Think about it.
God had graciously saved His people out of captivity in Egypt. He had graciously borne with them during their years of rebellion in the wilderness. Now a new generation was poised to lay hold on His promises and to gain the blessings outlined in Deuteronomy 28.1-14.

So what does keeping the Law have to do with any of this?

The Law was given to the people of Israel after they had come to salvation and before they began to enjoy the promises of God’s covenant. The Law did not save them; God saved His chosen people by His grace and power. The Law marked out the path of life (Lev. 18.1-5), the life of love for God and neighbor, and of enjoying the fruits of justice, equity, righteousness, freedom, and peace, for which the Lord had saved them. The Law marked out the pathway into the promises of God. The conquest of Canaan was but the beginning of Israel’s life in the promises of God. The full realization of those promises depended on full and explicit obedience to God’s Law.

What God commanded Joshua in verses 7 and 8, He commanded as well to every one of His people. Of course, they could never meet this requirement, no more than can any of us. Was God setting them up for failure?

No. The promise of verse 9 would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Who perfectly fulfilled all the righteousness of God’s Law, and selflessly endured all the wrath of the Law against sinners such as Joshua, Israel, and you and I. Can you imagine how the Son of God, hearing those words of His Father to Joshua, must have thrilled at the prospect of the work He knew He would one day accomplish? Jesus is the righteousness of God and the Way into the precious and very great promises of God, as well as His rest. And He is with us always, even to the end of the age (Matt. 28.20).

But the command to be strong, of good courage, and keep the Law of God remains. This is the path Jesus walked, and it is the path all must walk who, having known His saving mercy and grace, would follow Him into God’s covenant blessings and rest (1 Jn. 2.1-6).

Meditate and discuss.
1.  The conquest of Canaan involved more than merely vanquishing the enemies of Israel. Israel would only fully enjoy the promises of God by obeying the Law of God (vv. 7, 8), and this continually. How does this teach us to think about life as a follower of Jesus, in Whom all the promises of God are Yes and Amen (2 Cor. 1.20)?

2.  We note the repetition of the command to “be strong and very courageous” (vv. 7, 9). How would Joshua fulfill this? Where would he find the strength and courage to lead Israel in conquest and obedience? Do we need this strength and courage today, as followers of Jesus? Where can we obtain it?

3.  Notice God’s emphasis on the inward and outward aspects of the Law of God. How should you apply this to your life? What can you expect if you do?

“You should not be like a wanderer, rambling about the streets, without just cause, to spy out those who live wickedly. But by minding your own trade and employment, endeavor to do what is acceptable to God. And keeping in mind the oracles of Christ, meditate in the same continually.” Apostolic Constitutions (381-394 AD)

Lord, Your Law and all Your Word are a lamp unto my feet, so that by the Light of Your Word I may…

Pray Psalm 19.7-14.

Dwell on David’s description of the Law. Is this your experience? Ask the Lord to give you greater love for His Law, and all His Word. Let His Spirit convict you of any lack in this area and confess and repent accordingly.

Psalm 19.7-14 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure; 
The simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure. 
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts; 
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts. 

The fear of God is cleansing, forever shall it last. 
His judgments all are true and just, by righteousness held fast.
O seek them more than gold most fine, than honey find them sweet; 
Be warned by every word and line; be blessed with joy complete. 

Who, Lord, can know his errors? O keep sin far from me! 
Let evil rule not in my soul that I may blameless be. 
O let my thoughts, let all my words, before Your glorious sight 
Be pleasing to You, gracious Lord, acceptable and right!

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here.

Not yet a subscriber to our Crosfigell teaching letter? You’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

Subscribe to Ailbe Newsletters

Sign up to receive our email newsletters and read columns about revival, renewal, and awakening built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification.