The Book of Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it
God
The Hebrew Bible’s first book, post-Torah, is The Book of Joshua. While the text is most well-known for the conquest of the Promised Land, Joshua offers much more. This text deals with the Children of Israel’s adherence to the Torah’s 613 Commandments which include The Ten Commandments.
Joshua starts at the time when Torah interpretation, application and scholarship was officially post-Mosaic. Without Moses, the arduous task of making the commandments work in practicality fell upon Joshua. With the conquest, a number of high profile legal matters arise. Joshua is confronted on occasion with the task of putting square facts through round scrolls.
The Master of the Universe, speaking to Joshua, starts off with “be strong and courageous for it is you who will cause this people to inherit the Land that I have sworn to their fathers to give them.” Joshua 1:6. The Almighty follows up with “only be very strong and courageous, to observe, to do, according to the entire Torah that Moses My servant commanded you.” As far as interpretation, the Master of the Universe reminds Joshua of the Torah’s cautionary note “do not deviate from it to the right or to the left.” The Torah’s goal is then expressed with “in order that you may succeed wherever you will go.”
The Torah, with the Ten Commandments, are far different than Progressive Ideology. While the Torah addresses the society’s social needs, the Torah- and the Commandments- are focused on success. Success is a broad term. Success is both relative and expansive. One can be a success in living up to one’s individual potential. One can also be successful in many endeavors such as in parenting, academic studies, business, art, charity and scholarship. Success may be in uplifting others so that they may achieve success in life.
The Master of the Universe further explained as to how the Torah will remain a fixture within the Children of Israel. “This Book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; rather you should contemplate it day and night in order that you observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way successful, and then you will act wisely.”
The Book of Joshua is not be be outdone by Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid III, the Master of the Universe commands the leader to “be courageous, do not fear and do not lose resolve, for The Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
The Book of Joshua presents itself as a gold mine for a Ten Commandments’ based blog. These topics include the third deliverance of the Ten Commandments. Joshua, notably, tackles the commandment of using “god’s name in vain” like no other. He also deals with a theft like no other.
In sum, the Book of Joshua is a wonderful text to appreciate Torah and the development of interpretation and commentary. Within it, there are awesome fact patterns for discussion for both teens and adults.
Be well!!
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