Joshua

Reformed Perspectives Magazine , Volume 10, Number 2, January 06 to January 12, 2008 Joshua The Poetic Bible: An Epic Poem (volume 4) By Bobby Gawthrop Moses' shadow long on earth, sandals too great breadth and girth. "Preachers are like old coats, God puts them on, and takes them off, as He deems fit". Joshua, with mournful dread, trods the sod his master trod, entombed, cold and dead. Though Moses mourning days be filled, Joshua's heart lay sick and still, mixed up, pent up, internal quiver, Moses gone, mighty deliverer. Captain gone, lieutenant stout? Self incriminationed doubt. "The death of Moses", body lye, earthly bound, spirit rise, higher ground. Great God doth speak, to Moses' aide, Joshua stands, to lead them into promised land. "‘Moses My servant is dead'" ‘yet promise made him, seed form true, your master's call fulfilled in you. Every place thy foot e're trod, and every inch of traveling sod, is yours to keep, the clan partake, "I will never leave you nor forsake'". "‘No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. "‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. "‘Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. "‘This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. "‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'" Joshua's memory, flooded mind, when he did go to spy, to find, secret, Spies, Shittim's two, to look, to see, to glimpse, to view. Great God doth speak, "‘spy out the land of Canaan'", Israel's sons to receive, but present day inhabitants, no mercy, no reprieve. Leading men from Hebrew clan, from Jacob's pride, on Paran's sand. 40 days, in many ways, promised land to spy and gaze. 12 went out, a full cohort, 12 returned with mixed report. ‘Milk and honey, fresh and sweet, clustered grapes, flowing treat, but cities strong, inhabitants tall, we dare not enter, lest we fall'. The stench of fear reaks from their heart, 10 spies undone from mission's start, faith's demise, from out their breath, God's word despise, thus their death. So the people "said to one another, ‘Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.'" Yet two there be, heart's faithful hue, covenant valor, covenant true. Jephunneh's son, Caleb by name, a godly man, enduring fame. "‘We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.'" Joshua too, his colors true, the son of Nun be not outdone. "But all the congregation said to stone them with stones." Harlot houses homeless heroes. "‘Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.'" Rahab rebels, lying lady, against her king, tongue sly & shady. "‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'" On tablets twain, yea, from the fount, God's finger honed on Sinai's mount, at conception, from the start, engraved upon each human heart. And yet… Rahab rebels, lying lady, against her king, tongue sly & shady. exception clause for fluid red (?), in fluid form life be red, if essence gone then life be dead. Above the ceiling, upon the roof, betwixt the flax, lay the proof. Hebrews hidden, secret space, havened there by harlot's grace. Rahab's recitation grand, redemption wrought on Hebrew clan. "‘…for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. now therefore, please swear to me, by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth.'" covenant contracted, verbally enacted, if Hebrew mission safely rest, beneath her tongue and in her breast, then on that day of doom and death, when hearts melt in bated breath, when walls weep and courage crumbles, when the city reaped and humbled. Immanent, God's reign of terror, upon His foe, shock and horror, and on that day where none can hide, the harlot and her home abide, reminiscent former times, God's people in, His foes outside… Great God's sweet theme, a type of Christ, was Noah in his day, his family saved through union him, to live another day. That rest within, the haven sealed, His wrath shall not abate, all life upon the land now gone, except for heaven's eight… One final plague befell the land, one final plague from God's own hand, "Thus says the LORD, ‘About midnight I am going into the midst of Egypt.'" Firstborn flesh, be old or fresh, all be marked with plague of death, Sovr'n choice, distinction seal, as clay from the Potter's wheel, appointed time, sun pealed back, revealing midnight hour black. Shadow thick, His Presence there, sensed by all, in Egypt's air, yet O LORD, the Hebrews Thine, covered now beneath the sign. "‘The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land.'"… "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." "And without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that seek Him." "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks." "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God." "By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." "By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." "By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised." "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come." "By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff." "By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones." "By faith Moses , when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's edict… considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him Who is unseen." "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days." "By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who are disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace." Rahab in Messiah's line, ancestral lineage, a prostitute's privilege, in Matthew's Gospel find. wandering, wondering, pondering, thundering, nomadic clan, stability hungering. Remnant steady, children ready, promised hope, reeling, heady. Israelitish congregation, promised land to Hebrew nation. "Now the LORD said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.'" Similar situations seeming, Jordan river, red sea teeming, Hebraic humanity found, trodding their way o'er dry ground… Hebrew flight, escape the night, purging bondage out of sight, providential program planned, for Moses and the Hebrew clan. Vanguard! Rearguard! Conquesting foe, pressing hard, seething sea, bodies dead, bubbling blood, running red. Clouded pillar now recede, protracted rear guard it be, Moses stretched forth his hand, the people walked on sea in land. "At the morning watch, the LORD looked down", "through the pillar of fire and cloud", God prepared the watery grave, their sea shroud. Moses' outstretched hand sealed their fate, The sea returned to normal state. Forward, race, two score space, their minds e're run to present grace, herein repeat, God's presence lead, His covenantal ark proceed, priestly procession, levitical order, burden bearing, crossing over. "‘It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the LORD of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.'" "And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan." River crossing, e're complete, when Hebrew last places feet, thru liquid passage, nature, stayed and held, God's Word pulls, compels. "So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; and Joshua said to them, ‘Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the numbers of the tribes of the sons of Israel.'" In future times, projected years, when generations then appear, inquiries made regarding stones, message and their meaning known, these stones shall speak of seasoned space, God's goodness given, granting grace. "‘that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.'" Behold, Jericho's adjacent land, Joshua stood, lifting up his eyes, expectation he to see, Hebrew reward and prize. Instead of spying that reward, in his space stood Man with sword, the son of Nun approaching, within that space encroaching, "‘Are you for us or our adversaries?'" "‘No'"… strange reply, mystery Man, strange reply, drawn sword in hand. "He said, ‘No; rather I indeed come now as captain of the host of the LORD.'" Revelation, identification, Messiah the Christ, preincarnation, "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and bowed down, and said to him, ‘What has my lord to say to his servant.'" "The captain of the LORD'S host said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.' And Joshua did so." Reminiscent, similar scene, Great God's manifestation gleen… Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. "The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. "So Moses said, ‘I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.' "When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, ‘Moses, Moses!' And he said, ‘Here I am.' "Then He said, ‘Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.' "He said also, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob.' Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God." Then Moses hid his face, Creator, creature, distinct "he was afraid to look at God", lest Moses become extinct... Jericho, inhabitants inside, dismay, hearts betray and melt away. Urination, defication, air hangs hot, putrefaction, fear precedes the Hebrew's face, It penetrates void and space, grips the mind of pagan race, palpitating reaper's pace. Rahab kept her promise, she is remembered, if Hebrew mission safely rest, beneath her tongue and in her breast, then on that day of doom and death, when wall weeps and courage crumbles, when e're that city reaped and humbled. And yet, before wall falls, if wall could call, if stone could speak, defiant odored air would reek. Jericho's wall calls with pride, though its people seek to hide. City's power, Jericho's wall, tested, tried, arrogant, tall. Vaulted wall, starry heights, utter gall, stony might. Laughing, mocking, haunting, taunting, impregnability flaunting. Master craftsmen, stonecutters' chore, set in place this wall so sure. And yet, looming, close, God's reign of terror, zooming, near, a city's horror. That vaunted wall, that splendor tall, it all shall fall, when trumpets call. Within the city, the people shriek, "the crack of doom", the people freak. from atop the city wall, the people saw, Hebraic sea, marching all, marching silent, marching quiet. Divinely directed, warfare presenting, psychological games, Hebrews commencing. Internal disintegration, violent death, anticipation, wailing, howling population. Instinctive knowledge, ‘I'm about to die, my family they'll kill, their swords cutting wide, our blood, they to spill'. And still, the Hebrews kept marching, silent they went, not a sound. For six days row, their feet e're trod, one circle per day, on Canaan's sod. Six days run, circles done, voices unsheathed with rising sun. Round and round, and round and round, and round and round, seven circles on seventh day, priests on trumpets play. Dear reader, brace thyself, for what thou shall hear, what thou shall see, what thou shall smell. Great God hath set forth "the ban", of His foes, not one shall stand, husbands must die, fathers must die, wives must die, mothers must die, sons must die, daughters must die, children must die little ones must die, the unborn must die. Destruction of conquered nation, preventing Hebrew contamination, if Canaanites be living nation, then what of Hebrew congregation? And thus, annihilation, desolation, despair. Bloodletting thick streets running red The LORD'S will, His people safe, His foes to kill. Salvation principle on Scripture's page, God's foes destroyed, His people saved. "‘The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. "‘But as for you, only keep yourselves from the things under the ban, so that you do not covet them and take some of the things under the ban, and make the camp of Israel accursed and bring trouble on it. "‘But all the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD. "So the people shouted, and priests blew the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight ahead, and they took the city. "They utterly destroyed everything in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword. "Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, ‘Go into the harlot's house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.' "So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel. "They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the LORD. "However, Rahab the harlot and her father's household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. "Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, ‘cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.' "So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land." If Canaanite be living nation, then what of Hebrew congregation....? Hebraic congregation old, by crimson sword their story told, God's glory seen, troop movement bold. His Church conquering, military plunder, territory acquiring, foe ripped asunder. God's Church visible, under the sun, both dispensations run, "the New in the Old concealed, the Old in the New revealed". Ancient epoch, run and done, unique season under sun, conquesting foes terrain, that method now disdain, ancient epoch, run and done, unique season under sun. Redemptive histry's total race, salvation's story all by grace. The Church of old, their eyes did run, God's Great promise, future done, "the Death of Death" in God's dear Son. Tree of wood, that future place, the place of skull, that holy space, corporate sin bore on Him, The One who knew no sin within. The Church today, with eyes of faith, the bread, the wine, our memory's race, the place of skull, that holy space, "The Death of Death" by blood stained grace. In Joshua's stage, weapons literal, in Gospel age, weapons spiritual. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. "Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. "and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. "And take the HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." The gates of Hell shall not prevail, on the battle field to meet, though the foe shall rant and rail, for "the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet…" So it shall be So it is So it was "So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land." Covenantal God now keeping, promise made, though Patriarchs sleeping, dominoes, yea, one by one, cities fall to son of Nun. Joshua sending men, to seek, to spy, next city to fall, the city of Ai. Warrior population few, within the city under view, easy pickings, small force needed, spies' recommendation heeded. "They returned to Joshua and said to him, ‘Do not let all the people go up; only about two or three thousand men need go up to Ai; do not make all the people toil up there, for they are few.'" "So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai." "The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water." Hebraic troops to sack and rout, yet tables turned on Hebrews stout, corporate sin, from one within, Achan weeps, the people reap. "But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the LORD burned against the sons of Israel." "‘I shall be your God and you shall be My people'" "‘You shall not steal'" "‘You shall not covet…'" Achan arouses Almighty's anger, corporate connection, community candor. Aachan arrested, his crime did confess, judicial judgment, stoning not suppressed. "Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxens, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. "Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.' and all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones." Silver stealing, gold gleaning, coveting and concealing Anger reminiscent, Korah's rebellion, earth's mouth gaping wide, his household fell in. Silver stealing, gold gleaning, coveting and concealing. A City's Dirge: ‘Behold my men! Warriors valiant, courageous, strong, bravado, talent. Armor clad for war, spears, helmets, shields, unsheathed studded swords, My men never yield, pursue Hebrew horde! ‘Retreat! Retreat!,' Joshua called, Hebrew army stopped and stalled. My men! My mighty ones, chase your prey, with outstretched arms, to slew and slay… But something happened, unexpected, unforeseen. Hebrew forces, divided, two, one in clear sight, one out of view. Hebrew tricks, coy and sly, where are My men? Behold them there, dead where they lye. The earth is scarredv The ground is stained Behold My men! Those silent ones, their eyes now closed, My sleeping sons, Lament! Lament! Those speechless ones, what has happened? My lifeless sons. In fluid form, life be red, If essence gone, then life be dead. The ground houses the dead Corpses in the field, lingering, littering, strewn, sprawled,v twisted, tattered. The dead weep, red stained tears, bursting bowels, torn asunder, by Joshua's javelin and Hebrew steel. The Hebrew horde, sweeping from the rear, their second force doth now appear. They've come for the rest, the sweet and the best. All My men are gone, My walls shrink, unguarded, here they come. Joshua's sword, Hebrew steel, My people, strickened, staggered, reel. They've come for the rest, the sweet and the best. Do you hear them? The voices of My dead, mother's calling, children crying, sisters screaming, embryonic echoes. Do you see them? The faces of My dead, the horror stricken little ones, their tiny eyes closed tight with fear, their glazed eyes wide open with shock. Do you smell them? The stench of My dead. I have become a crematorium. Smoke and fire, blackened plume, funeral pyre, ash and fume. I have no future, and thus, I shall have no memories, I have nothing. None are left, Hebrew sword and fire have taken all… And so it is, with maternal heart, with one last hug, with red-rimmed eyes, in shaken sway, I'll blink goodbye and die today.' "So Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation until this day." So far, so good, God's counsel seeking, Hebrew submission, Divine decreeing. Seek the LORD, Almighty's advice, seek the LORD, Divine discernment, dare not lean "thine own understanding", seek the LORD, God's wisdom granting. But they forgot God… Alliance seekers, friendship reapers, Gibeomite deceivers. "So the men of Israel took some of the provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD. Joshua made with peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them." Unholy alliance, God's counsel unheeding, Gibeomites in trouble, calling and pleading. "Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, ‘Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us.'" "The LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.'" God confused them, God slew them, God pursued them. God hurls gargantuan hail, showering stones, heaven's mail, terror reigning, God flinging, corpses clinging, death bells ringing. Covenantal promise keeping, Hebrew congregation reaping, liberating land, persons purged, Hebrew success, enemy dirge. "There was not a city which made peace with the sons of Israel except the Hivites living in Gibeon; they took them all in battle. "For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to meet Israel in battle in order that He might utterly destroy them, that they might receive no mercy, but that He might destroy them, just as the LORD had commanded Moses." "So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war." Nun's famous son, advanced in years, eyes lift toward setting sun, yet, one last course the ship to steer. Emotional tremble, leadership assemble. Remembering, encouraging, deeds of God, people urging. "‘Be very firm then, to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, ‘so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them. ‘But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.'" Reminiscent Moses, the man of God, Moses too, remembered, encouraged, the deeds of God, his people urged, Moses' benediction in desert sand, Joshua's farewell in promised land. Joshua too must travel the way of all flesh… His eyes, dimly gazing, essence, ebbing, fading. On the threshold, death's door, creaking open, But Oh, Joshua's heart! No inward care nor thought, his grave garments gripping, his people's welfare seeking. Great God doth speak "‘I gave you a land on which you had not labored, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.'" The reaper's breath, smothering, Joshua's death shroud, hovering, yet from his lips, drip warnings and thundering. "‘Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ‘If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.'" Hebrew throng, unisoned song, voluntary vocals, claiming connection, God's chosen possession. "‘We also will serve the LORD, for He is our God.'" ‘Thine own mirrored heart, thy soul sees and hears'. "Joshua said to the people, ‘You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen for yourselves the LORD, to serve Him.' And they said, ‘We are witnesses.'" Covenanted, committed, contracted, voluntary verbal enactment. Moses' shadow, long on earth, sandals too, great breadth and girth, yet, Joshua, Moses' man, guided ship of state, from desert sand to promised land, steered her true and straight. Leaders, not unlike "preachers, are like old coats, God puts them on, and takes them off, as He deems fit." Dear reader, Most of us are simply a footnote, a footnote on a page of history, yet, Nun's famous son, has name attached to sacred page, along with kings, along with sage. And yet, his time too, like ours, is but a vapor, in fluid form, life be red, if essence gone, then life be dead. Joshua too must go the way of all flesh… "It came about after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being one hundred and ten years old. "And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of Mount Gasah. "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, and had known all the deeds of the LORD which He had done for Israel. "Now they buried the bones of Joseph, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons."