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.
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.
In-your-face. Deliberate. Disobedience.
A story old as time. And ongoing in this day and age.
Jeroboam of Nebat’s name is repeated in Scripture. Often. Echoing through the history of the kings.
Not remembered for noble acts or extraordinary wisdom.
But for his evil ways.
