Reading the Word of God!

How important that single activity is in the life of a Believer!

“Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel. And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel. And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” Joshua 8:30-35, don’t “skip” reading this “Bible” paragraph, please. It’s the “heart” of today’s Lesson!

This is a congregational meeting, “all Israel” being in attendance.

The altar is build here by precise (Mosaic Law) specifications.

The “blessing” the Priests pronounced, be sure, was word-for-word what God had commanded them to say!

Then came the READING of the Word!

“And he (Joshua) read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was NOT A WORD of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.”

No wonder Paul, so many years later, was still commanding his younger Preachers … “Give attendance to reading.” 1 Timothy 4:13

There’s Power in that Book, the divinely inspired Word of God.

In fact, let me ask you to read some therein today!

And the Lord willing, more tomorrow.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Doctor’s appointment this morning. I may write more later today, concerning this lesson. To fill in the “gaps,” to add supplemental Scripture. To further share  my heart. I must study for a Revival Sermon tonight as well. That’s why I say “I may write more.”