I love thinking about how wide the dry path through the river must have been. The people were commanded to stay a certain distance away from the Ark, but the Levites were standing with the ark right in the middle of the river! How much space there must have been for the people to go around it and keep the proper distance!
Josh 2:11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”. The nations saw the acts of God and they were afraid. They realized that only God could do these things.
I love the part where Rahab says that the people of her land have been hearing about the Israelites ever since they crossed the Red Sea! That’s been 40 years of awe that has been building up. So amazing.
Me too… Reminds me again about the importance of waiting on God, and again how he goes before us even though we may not think so or see it from our existing position.
It’s not just us who’s heart and character needs to be prepared 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Interwoven into a greater story.
“Patience isn’t about how long we can wait, but how we behave while waiting.” (Danny Silk)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Comforting words through life’s challenges. I am not afraid; with God, I am strong and courageous!
And then the people echo this when Joshua commands them — “we will do everything you say, only be strong and courageous!” Our Great God gives us the encouragement we need on earth in the form of His people. How refreshing!
April, Peter’s vision about all foods being declared clean is in Acts 10:9-16. You are correct Jesus did save us from the food laws along with many of the other laws the Jews used to have to practice. My study notes for Acts 10:15 say “Jesus had already laid the ground work for setting aside the laws of clean and unclean food (Matthew 15:11; see also 1 Timothy 4:3-5).
I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. (Romans 14:14 NIV) the entire chapter of Romans will be a good one for them
Hi April, I’m sorry to hear of your health issues & I pray that God continues to see you through it! I’m sorry you are in such a difficult situation with that person. That being said, I just wanted to add that the story that you are thinking of with Peter is actually not about Jesus freeing us to eat any foods. If you read that chapter again, it is actually God’s way of showing that no person (Jew or Gentile) is impure or unclean. See Acts 10:28 for reference. I hope this helps & I pray for God’s healing with your health.
Hi friends, I have an off-topic question that I am needing help with. (I guess it relates to what we were reading a few days ago).
In the OT God declared certain foods to be unclean in order to protect the Israelites. But I know that somewhere in the NT He gave a dream to someone (Peter?) where He lowered a bunch of the unclean food down and told him to “rise, kill and eat”. Do you girls know where this story is? It’s how we know that Jesus has freed us from that part of the law, isn’t it?
I have serious health problems that God is seeing me through, and yesterday someone was arguing that I am sick because I don’t follow that part of the law. Even though in truth I don’t eat the unclean foods just because I’m too sick to eat them, but that’s not the point. The point is that we are no longer bound to that law. Even if I were eating them, I don’t think it wouldn’t be reason for me being sick. But this person thinks that my belief in that is the reason I’m sick and they even said it would kill me. I know the story refuting that lie is somewhere in the NT! Can anyone help me find it?
Hey April! I’m no bible scholar, but I think God had many intentions for those food laws before Jesus. Possibly for practical (like hey if you don’t cook it right you could get sick, or this meat doesn’t keep well) and spiritual reasons. But you ARE RIGHT that Jesus challenges the heart and purpose behind those food laws. In Matthew 15:1-20 should help you and possibly enlighten that person who is telling you those things. “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth” Matt 15:10
I’ll pray for your health problems!
I love thinking about how wide the dry path through the river must have been. The people were commanded to stay a certain distance away from the Ark, but the Levites were standing with the ark right in the middle of the river! How much space there must have been for the people to go around it and keep the proper distance!
Josh 2:11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath”. The nations saw the acts of God and they were afraid. They realized that only God could do these things.
I love the part where Rahab says that the people of her land have been hearing about the Israelites ever since they crossed the Red Sea! That’s been 40 years of awe that has been building up. So amazing.
Me too… Reminds me again about the importance of waiting on God, and again how he goes before us even though we may not think so or see it from our existing position.
It’s not just us who’s heart and character needs to be prepared 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Interwoven into a greater story.
“Patience isn’t about how long we can wait, but how we behave while waiting.” (Danny Silk)
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Comforting words through life’s challenges. I am not afraid; with God, I am strong and courageous!
And then the people echo this when Joshua commands them — “we will do everything you say, only be strong and courageous!” Our Great God gives us the encouragement we need on earth in the form of His people. How refreshing!
I am, We are so blessed to have an app that helps us in our daily lives! Thank you Lord! This is what I have been needing!
April, Peter’s vision about all foods being declared clean is in Acts 10:9-16. You are correct Jesus did save us from the food laws along with many of the other laws the Jews used to have to practice. My study notes for Acts 10:15 say “Jesus had already laid the ground work for setting aside the laws of clean and unclean food (Matthew 15:11; see also 1 Timothy 4:3-5).
Thank you both so much! I really appreciate your help
I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. (Romans 14:14 NIV) the entire chapter of Romans will be a good one for them
Hi April, I’m sorry to hear of your health issues & I pray that God continues to see you through it! I’m sorry you are in such a difficult situation with that person. That being said, I just wanted to add that the story that you are thinking of with Peter is actually not about Jesus freeing us to eat any foods. If you read that chapter again, it is actually God’s way of showing that no person (Jew or Gentile) is impure or unclean. See Acts 10:28 for reference. I hope this helps & I pray for God’s healing with your health.
Hi friends, I have an off-topic question that I am needing help with. (I guess it relates to what we were reading a few days ago).
In the OT God declared certain foods to be unclean in order to protect the Israelites. But I know that somewhere in the NT He gave a dream to someone (Peter?) where He lowered a bunch of the unclean food down and told him to “rise, kill and eat”. Do you girls know where this story is? It’s how we know that Jesus has freed us from that part of the law, isn’t it?
I have serious health problems that God is seeing me through, and yesterday someone was arguing that I am sick because I don’t follow that part of the law. Even though in truth I don’t eat the unclean foods just because I’m too sick to eat them, but that’s not the point. The point is that we are no longer bound to that law. Even if I were eating them, I don’t think it wouldn’t be reason for me being sick. But this person thinks that my belief in that is the reason I’m sick and they even said it would kill me. I know the story refuting that lie is somewhere in the NT! Can anyone help me find it?
I think Acts 10 is the passage you are looking for!
Hey April! I’m no bible scholar, but I think God had many intentions for those food laws before Jesus. Possibly for practical (like hey if you don’t cook it right you could get sick, or this meat doesn’t keep well) and spiritual reasons. But you ARE RIGHT that Jesus challenges the heart and purpose behind those food laws. In Matthew 15:1-20 should help you and possibly enlighten that person who is telling you those things. “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth” Matt 15:10
I’ll pray for your health problems!
*Rahab