Three & One

A broken heart, bitterness of soul, a vow, an answer, an open womb and a baby boy.  A gift given back to God to serve God, to minister to God, to be a prophet of God, Samuel. And Jesus, pours out His heart for His apostles in their last meal together.

The Kinsman-Redeemer, the conflict, another thread in the scarlet thread of redemption leading up to our Savior and Jesus does what is reserved for the lowest of slaves as an example.

Tragedy from compromising your convictions, a courageous daughter-in-law, bundles fall on purpose, the kinsman redeemer and Jesus teaches on “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

Idolatry, immorality and civil war, all a result of doing what is right in your own eyes, indifferent to what is right in the eyes of God and Jesus is angry at death and does something about it.

Samson is deceived by Delilah. God mercifully makes Samson strong, one last time. A man named Micah makes up his own religion.  And, Jesus is THE Good Shepherd.

Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. Disobedience, discipline, despair and deliverance, by the hand of a man named Samson, a conflicted man.  And, Jesus heals a man born blind physically AND spiritually.

Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, testing the limits of the mercy of the Lord. Jephthah a most unlikely judge is enlisted in the Lord’s service to deliver the Lord’s people. And, an adulteress faces the Light of the world.

Impossible odds from man’s perspective made even worse by God so that He would get all the glory. Abimelech appoints himself by slaughtering seventy of his family. And, Jesus is inspected by the skeptics, including His own brothers.

Two women willing to take the lead, a jug of milk, a hammer, a tent peg and a defeated foe. A song of gratefulness to God.  Gideon is enlisted in the Lord’s service. And, The Bread of Life miraculously feeds five thousand.

A house divided starts to wobble, The Angel of the Lord makes an appearance to warn, but instead Israel starts the slippery cycle of sin, desperation, deliverance and right back to sin again, and again, and again. And, Jesus gives an impossible command.

The Eastern tribes return to their land and erect an altar on their side that almost starts a war, Joshua gathers the people for a farewell address challenging them to courageous obedience and a Samaritan woman meets her Messiah.

Joshua considers others interests above his own. The cities of refuge are implemented. The Levites are assigned their cities to live in. And, a Pharisee named Nicodemus visits Jesus at night for a conversation that is foundational for our faith.

Ephraim, Manasseh and the daughters of Zelophehad seek an inheritance in different ways leading to different outcomes. Seven tribes stall on claiming their inheritance. Jesus attends a wedding and cleanses the temple.

Joshua, old and advanced in years, with still so much more land that has yet to be possessed. Kid Caleb calls out, "Give me my mountain!".  And, Jesus, The Word made flesh, full of grace and truth, THE Lamb of God.

Battle after battle after battle, all belonging to the Lord, as the Lord fought for Israel, established Israel and ended the wicked ones and the events on and immediately after Resurrection Sunday.

Achan, Ai and the valley of Achor, the consequences of coveting and acquiring without asking God, the consequences of making a covenant without asking God and Jesus faces Pilate, faces Herod, takes the place of Barabbas is crucified, dies and is buried.

Joshua leads Israel to cross the Jordan. Joshua encounters the pre-incarnate Christ. Jericho falls as the people of God fight by faith and Jesus endures the events leading up to the cross.

Joshua is encouraged exhorted and enabled by God’s presence, and by God’s command, to be strong and very courageous. Joshua sends in spies, prepares the people and crosses the Jordan. And, Jesus prepares His people for His second coming.

Moses blesses Israel, Moses is shown the promised land, Moses dies on the mountain, Joshua in the new leader and the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the scribes all try to trap Jesus.