Podcast Introduction

This is the daily podcast where we will read the entire Bible in a year.

Today, we are going to read from the book of Joshua. Chapters 1 through 5, I’ll give you some of my thoughts on those chapters, and then there’s the “On This Day In Church History” segment.

Introduction to Joshua

Joshua is the man that God chose to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Moses had brought them to the threshold, but because Moses had disobeyed God at a certain point along the way during their 40 years wandering in the wilderness, God did not allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. It was Joshua who would take up the mantle of leadership. 

Thoughts On Today's Chapters

Sometimes people will say, “God can’t save me. He can’t forgive me. I’ve lived a terrible life.” Or “God could never use me. You don’t know what I’ve done.” 

In chapter two we read of the spies that Joshua sent into the town who stayed at the house of the prostitute, Rahab. We read how she hid them and saved their lives. 

Here’s the rest of her story. Rahab married Salmon, an Israelite from the tribe of Judah. Her son was Boaz, the husband of Ruth. Joseph, the legal father of Jesus, is her direct descendant.

That’s right. In Jesus’ genealogy is a prostitute. True, Jesus is not Joseph’s biological son. But 

it would be understandable if God chose not to use a family line for Jesus’ step father that included a prostitute, right? Here’s the lesson for us all. Rahab’s sinful life was forgiven because of her faith in God, and when God forgives, that sin is as if it never existed. 

Besides that, what family doesn’t include those who have sinned? There isn’t one, is there? As Paul says in Romans, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No one is without sin. 

Knowing that, it seems silly to me that some Bible commentators in the past have tried to say that Rahab was an innkeeper, because they thought it shameful that a prostitute would be in Jesus lineage. But there is not mistaking the language. 

As we read through the Bible this year, you’ll see that God does not pull punches in describing real life and real sin. That Rahab was a prostitute is lightweight compared to some of the things we’ll read. 

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-2 GW, Ch. 3-4 GNT, Ch. 5 NIV

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