Susan LaffertyJoshua receives the exhortation. “Be strong and courageous.” Hearing it loud and clear. Multiple times.
From the Lord. And from the people. (Joshua 1:6,7,9,18)
He’s stepping into leadership after one of the greatest leaders of all time. Moses.
Certainly not for the faint of heart, this. Leading the multitudes. And entering the Promised Land.
Then. At the end of his life. He delivers the exhortation.
Are you forgetful? I am.
Reading through old journals and letters never fails to delight. Surprise. And confound. Highlighting my forgetfulness about experiences and facts from our personal history.
“Don’t forget” and “remember” are two exhortations. Repeated in Scripture. For good reason.
“Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live.
Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”
Deuteronomy 4:9 CSB
Over and over. Ezekiel repeats the phrases.
“The word of the Lord came to me.”
“This is what the Lord God says.”
“This is the declaration of the Lord God.”
A rhythm. Keeping the Lord prominent. Essential. To all the prophet pens on the page.
