How Yo Be Prosperous
In one of the last posts about Moses I mentioned Isaiah, and my thoughts in Isaiah took us directly to the doctrine of the Trinity, and so we spent some time with that doctrine. Starting with this post I want to return to the book of Joshua, that is where we left off with the death of Moses.
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. Joshua 1:8.
When Joshua charged the sons of Jacob with these words, he was speaking to the whole nation, and the obligations and the blessings he spoke of are for the nation as a whole. Of course, nations are made up of individuals, and so these words by Joshua also apply to every person separately.
Yet it seems that in the Old Testament at least, Jehovah's interest was much more on the national level than on the individual level. What He did for, or through, an individual was done for the benefit of the nation; the nation He had chosen.
When Joshua charged the sons of Jacob with these words, he was speaking to the whole nation, and the obligations and the blessings he spoke of are for the nation as a whole. Of course, nations are made up of individuals, and so these words by Joshua also apply to every person separately.
Yet it seems that in the Old Testament at least, Jehovah's interest was much more on the national level than on the individual level. What He did for, or through, an individual was done for the benefit of the nation; the nation He had chosen.
Notice a few points:
1. The commentaries I checked all inferred, or stated, that when Joshua referred to This Book of the Law he meant the complete writings of Moses. The writings of Moses now constitute that part of the Bible which is called "The Law".
According to that idea, Joshua included in his statement all the history, the wilderness wanderings and the blessings which are also found in the Pentateuch; the Book of the Law.
The Church has expanded the meaning of the words "The Law" to include the whole Bible. In a very loose sense, the Bible is the law book for Christians. However, in saying that, one does not want to imply that Christians are bound by many and various laws, as Muslims are, and as the Israelites were (and are).
According to that idea, Joshua included in his statement all the history, the wilderness wanderings and the blessings which are also found in the Pentateuch; the Book of the Law.
The Church has expanded the meaning of the words "The Law" to include the whole Bible. In a very loose sense, the Bible is the law book for Christians. However, in saying that, one does not want to imply that Christians are bound by many and various laws, as Muslims are, and as the Israelites were (and are).
In Deuteronomy 6:20-23 Moses says, When your son asks you in time to come, saying, What is the meaning of all the laws we are to keep? then you shall say to your son: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Lord ... brought us out from there, that He might bring us in (into Canaan). Now Joshua says, you shall meditate on your history; on the fact that some of our elders met with Jehovah; on Jehovah's many blessings to us. If you do meditate in it (the law of Moses) you may (in Hebrew it is, you shall) ... do it.
2. For then you will make your way prosperous. We should probably think of this statement as a proverb (probability) rather than as an oath from Jehovah.
On the individual level, we certainly know that there are many cases where it is not a fact. There are many Christians who distinctly follow the teachings of the Bible, who, one turn after another, experience physical or economic setbacks to the point of despair.
On the individual level, we certainly know that there are many cases where it is not a fact. There are many Christians who distinctly follow the teachings of the Bible, who, one turn after another, experience physical or economic setbacks to the point of despair.
Still, as a probability, it is true that people who follow the teachings of the Bible have a better chance of having a successful life than those people who hang out with mean spirited street gangs; with those who do drugs; with those who cheat, etc. Christ's list of things to avoid sounds like this, evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. Mark 7:21-22.
If you avoid those things then you will have good success. It is our narrow mindset that tells us that the word, success, means material wealth. In the Hebrew text, this phrase is, then you shall proceed intelligently.
If you avoid those things then you will have good success. It is our narrow mindset that tells us that the word, success, means material wealth. In the Hebrew text, this phrase is, then you shall proceed intelligently.
Earlier Moses had given the same basic rule to the Israelites with these words: And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. Parents, you must know the Bible before you can teach it to your children. If you teach the Bible to your children from their earliest years, the biblical moral codes will be in their hearts, and your children will be much less likely to follow the path that leads to destruction. They will be much less likely to join groups such as ISIS.
You shall teach them diligently to your children. We all agree that it is not enough to tell our "kids" once, and then hope they will live the way we know they should live. They need to be taught, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little. Isa. 28:10. By word and by lifestyle.
Why is it that in North America we do not allow the teachers of our children teach them the rudiments of our nation's basic religion (Christianity). Just because a few teachers do not like to hear the prayer that our Leader taught us we have removed it from our schools.
Where will our children learn the basic elements of decency and Christianity if the people who spend six hours a day with them are not allowed to suggest they should follow the guidelines taught in the Bible?
Where will our children learn the basic elements of decency and Christianity if the people who spend six hours a day with them are not allowed to suggest they should follow the guidelines taught in the Bible?
Understandably some, even of those born in North America, find the Bible objectionable, but should those few be allowed to overrule the majority who still believe that a nation's security rests on honesty, kindness and following the precepts of the Bible?
However, because North America has allowed the education system to be so totally degraded, the pressure to teach their children high moral standards lies much more heavily on the parents than it used too.
However, because North America has allowed the education system to be so totally degraded, the pressure to teach their children high moral standards lies much more heavily on the parents than it used too.
- You shall talk of them when you sit in your house; when, you, parents have them at home and are relaxing with them, talk to them. There must be some time when you and they are together, conversing, and their thumbs are not busy on that handheld device.
- Or when you walk by the way, going for a walk with them,
- when you lie down, at bedtime;
- or when you rise up. What do you talk about the first thing in the morning; the greatest movies or sports heroes? The decline of the value of your currency?
How about afew conversations about decency and honesty?
You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God. Not only should you talk religion to your children, but you should also live in accordance with the commandments of the Lord your God.
Christ summed these up very tersely: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat. 22:37-39.
Christ summed these up very tersely: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat. 22:37-39.
Again, if you follow the teachings of the Bible and do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, the chances are much better that it will be well with you. Deut. 6:6-25.
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