1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land.
34 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.
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“And the foreigners who lived among them.” I feel His goodness every time “foreigners” are mentioned in the Scripture. Foreigners are mentioned often along with widows, orphans as well as women and children. It’s like reading a children’s book where it says “and the sheep, donkeys and dogs were put in the wagon as they traveled down the road.” It’s dear to my ear for some reason. God wants us to remember the foreigners those who look different and make us uncomfortable. Don’t forget them! He’s saying. They are important too. We gentiles are important too. Hop in! Thank you God!
We are to listen to the words of God and be informed of the blessings and curses, He set out before us. Teach the children. Teach the people.
[God’s Will, OT]
The OT stress on obedience makes it clear that the Lord does want his people to know his will. Our way of discovering God’s will today differs from the ways of the OT people. But we can be just as sure that the Lord wants us to bring our significant decisions to him, and walk in the path he will mark out.
