Let's Find Hidden Pearls (10 min.)
Jos 8:29. Why was the body of the king of Ai hung on a tree? (it-1 506).
Because under the law that Jehovah gave to Israel, certain criminals were hanged on a tree after being executed, as a "cursed thing of God," and their display in public served as a warning example. However, the corpse had to be buried before dark, as leaving it on the stake overnight would have contaminated the land that God had given the Israelites. So, Israel obeyed this rule even when those being executed were not Israelites.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because that was the custom, they were hung on a tree after they had been executed, as a "cursed thing of God," and thus they were displayed in public as a warning example. This was done even with those who were not Israelites, as was the case with the king of Ai who was considered "Cursed" and therefore was exposed on a tree.
Under the law that Jehovah gave to Israel, certain criminals were hanged on a tree after being executed to serve as a warning example, in the case of the body of the king of Ai it would serve as an example to the kings of the other nations of what they would have they would also suffer.
What spiritual pearls have you found about Jehovah, the ministry, and other topics in this week's Bible reading?
Joshua 8: 3-8. According to Jehovah's instructions, Joshua set up an ambush behind Ai, in addition, his main fighting corps moved to the front giving the appearance of a frontal attack. To the surprise of their enemies and thanks to Jehovah, the Israelites were victorious. This teaches me: and provides a glimpse of Jehovah's greatest victory, He can strategically outmaneuver his enemies and handle circumstances in such a way as to save his people. Even if Satan mobilizes Gog from Magog we will be witnesses of like Jehovah, once again, he will be: »A MIGHTY WARRIOR» and «MANLY PERSON OF WAR»!
Joshua 9: 1,2. After the victory over Ai, all the kings that were next to the Jordan, in the mountain religion and along the entire coast of the sea, joined forces to fight against Joshua and Israel. This detail has a modern parallel and teaches me: that in the Bible it is predicted that all the nations of the Earth will form a coalition, that is, in some way they will become allies and participate in the attack against Jesus, the older Joshua and his people. . But we will not be afraid, we can be sure that, just as Jehovah saved and protected Israel, "He will stand up to protect his people and defend his holy name at Armageddon."
Joshua 9:19. Although the Gibeonites were deceitful, Jehovah approved the oath of the chiefs of the people and they did not harm them. This teaches me: that Jehovah does not cause indiscriminate extermination of people in an unjust, arbitrary or cruel way. Rather, "He is an impartial God, he accepts those who fear him and act justly" and spares their lives. Furthermore, this record shows us that regardless of whether we profess to believe in Jehovah or not, we are all held accountable to him. So while there is time, let's turn back and worship Jehovah so that we can be saved from the destruction that is coming.
Joshua 8: 33-35. Joshua read God's law to the entire congregation of Israel, including women, children, and foreign residents. They were all "good listeners" and it sure reminded them of what Jehovah expected of them. This teaches me: likewise, today, the Bible talks we hear in our meetings through Zoom are intended to instruct us about what Jehovah expects of us. Without this guide it is very easy to take a wrong step that could lead us away from the goal of eternal life. Therefore, we must be "good listeners" and show appreciation for the teaching we receive in the meetings.
Joshua 8: 6,18,19. The Israelite warriors were punctual in acting, Joshua sent a part of them to drive the enemy away from the city, while another group, those in ambush, waited for his signal. When they gave it, they rose from their place, ran to the city and conquered it. This teaches me: that acting punctually and promptly pays off. Christians must learn to do things without delay, ready to do them. This is not done to achieve military-type precision, rather we want to imitate Jehovah, who teaches us that "there is an appointed time for everything" and how important it is to "be punctual when acting."
Joshua 8: 30-32. These texts mention that Joshua wrote on "the stones" of an altar "a copy of the law of Moses." This inscription served to remind the Israelites of their obligation to obey the covenant they had made with Jehovah. As we know, the law fulfilled its objective because over time it disappeared. This teaches me: and remember that "The law of Christ" is far superior and of much more value than the laws written in stone. Furthermore, it is written on human hearts and has no end. Another is that our obedience is voluntary and is based on love for Jehovah and loving one another.
Joshua 8:34, 35. After the victory achieved at Ai, Joshua heeded the instructions that Moses had given him and read and repeated aloud all the words of the law, both blessings and curses, before the entire congregation of Israel. This teaches me: that repetition is one of the essential techniques for learning. So by reviewing divine standards and principles often, we can examine ourselves and counteract the tendency to forget what we hear. We live in a world full of iniquity, therefore, "Repetition" is necessary and important to sharpen the commandments of God in our minds and hearts.
Joshua 8: 2. It sounds very interesting, that in the conquest they were going to carry out in Ai they could keep the loot and the cattle, something that they were not allowed to do when they conquered Jericho the first city that they managed to control. Possibly it is because it was, so to speak, the first thing Jehovah will receive in the Promised Land. Let us remember that he always demanded the first fruits and it seems that this had to do with this request. This teaches me: In the same way in our day Jehovah always demands the best of us. And for that reason he asks us to seek the kingdom first, we must strive to please Jehovah by giving our best in every way and fully complying with his requests.
Joshua 8:33. In harmony with the instructions Moses had given before his death, the tribes of Israel gathered on the Guerizim and Ebal mountains under the leadership of Joshua shortly after conquering Ai. It seems that those who were on Mount Guerizim heard the blessings and those who were on Mount Ebal heard the curses. This teaches me: Josué's action was undoubtedly hand in hand with the reminders that they had to read the law every day, otherwise it would have been difficult for him to remember them. Without a doubt, daily reading of God's Word is a good way to remember everything we must do to fulfill Jehovah's mandates and help others to serve him correctly as well.
Joshua 8:35. The auditorium that gathered in this place was huge consisting of men, women, children and foreigners. And a speaker was talking to him about God's law. What was read refreshed their memory of what God required of them and reminded them that they depended on him. This teaches me: It is difficult to imagine that the parents who were in that place allowed their children to run, talk or walk aimlessly through the crowds while Joshua read the law. Today the children who attend the meeting are expected to be sitting with their parents paying close attention to the words that come from Jehovah through the meetings. This will undoubtedly help them to reach maturity and have personal faith.
Joshua 9: 14,15. The Gibeonites were advocating for their lives and showing trust in Jehovah. However, verse 14 mentions that the men of Israel took some of their provisions but did not consult Jehovah. They were carried away by appearances, by what they saw and that is why they made a serious mistake, they made a peace pact with them. Later it had to be corrected. This teaches me: That the elders in the congregations should make decisions based on the Word of God and not on what they presume or believe they see. Especially in judicial or disciplinary situations for members of the congregation. The lives of each of Jehovah's sheep are at stake and decisions based on what Jehovah says and the organization's guidelines are desired.
Joshua 9:20, 21. In Genesis 9: 25,26 it had been prophesied that Canaan would be a slave to his brothers for disrespecting Noah. It took hundreds of years for the Gibeonites to be the first to serve as slaves to the Israelites already constituted as a nation. This teaches me: Biblical stories like this help us to have confidence in God's word regarding his promises. In due course all that Jehovah has promised will be fulfilled both for the end of this system and for the future of a paradise on earth. We will be privileged to see these promises fulfilled and to reaffirm our full trust in Jehovah.
Joshua 8:26. It lets us see that although Jehovah could destroy the city of Ai, without Joshua raising his hands holding the Javelin, he asked him to do so, this teaches us that although today Jehovah has promised us spiritual protection, we cannot stand idly by, we must put On our part, we must read, study, meditate so that Jehovah's spirit will do the rest.
Joshua 8:18, 26. We read Jehovah's instructions to Joshua about raising his hand with the Javelin pointing towards Ai, perhaps that made him remember what happened years ago with Moses when he raised his arms for a long time, and it can be seen that he followed his example, this teaches us the The importance of recording in our minds the good example of other brothers, as they will serve as an incentive when we face similar situations.
Joshua 9: 3-13. We see how the Gibeonites despite being Canaanites, had a different heart, recognized the greatness of Jehovah their powerful acts, and were willing to side with him, the same is happening today, there are many people who, in despite being part of those whom Jehovah wishes to attract so that they can take his side. Hence the importance of continuing to preach.
Joshua 8: 1-3. Here we can see Joshua's skill and experience in wars, he ambushed behind the city on its western side, the army was deployed in front of the city to the north and from there Joshua prepared for a frontal attack on Ai, After inducing the king of Ai and a group of men out of the city, Joshua's forces pretended to retreat until his pursuers were far from his stronghold, the ambushers were called into action, and they captured the city. city and burned it down, no doubt an impressive tactic.
Joshua 8: 9. Here we read that Josué sent part of the army to carry out the ambush, but the interesting thing is that Josué, who at that time was of an age where no soldier could currently participate in the battlefield, accompanied the rest of the Israelite army, For them it must have been encouraging to see the leader of the nation actively participating in the activities of the people, likewise, for us it is gratifying to participate in the preaching with those who perform important functions in the congregation.
Joshua 8:18, 19. After making the necessary corrections to regain Jehovah's approval, this time the people were again ready and prepared to conquer Ai and what stands out here is that Jehovah gave his blessing and assured him to Joshua that that city would be delivered into his hands, undoubtedly doing things well as Jehovah expects also results in his blessing, that is why when taking any action in our life we must strive to comply with Jehovah's standards and the en change will approve of everything we do.
Joshua 9: 2. Now we see that a decisive confrontation was developing, Jericho had been destroyed and Ai had fallen, that is why the kings who were on the side of the Jordan, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizites, the Hivites and the Jebusites began to come together to fight against Joshua and Israel, as a modern parallel, we see that the nations of the Earth have allied themselves in the so-called United Nations, although they are seeking peace and security for themselves according to their own conditions, but they have met in mass as one against Jehovah and his people.
Joshua 9: 9. Unlike the rest of the Canaanites, the Gibeonites realized that despite their military strength and the greatness of their city, the resistance would fail, as Jehovah was fighting for Israel, therefore, after the destruction of Jericho and Ai, the men of Gibeon sent a delegation to Joshua to ask for peace and recognized the hand of Jehovah in what had previously happened to Egypt and the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, the representatives of Israel made a pact with them to letting them live, what saved the Gibeonites was recognizing Jehovah and his people.
Joshua 9:23. Because the Gibeonites established a covenant of peace with Israel, they would come to work as seekers of water for the house of Jehovah and in this way saved their lives, on the task they would have to do was according to them because the Water was abundant in Gibeon and texts such as 2 Samuel 2:13 and Jeremiah 41:12 confirm this fact, and apart from that a specialized work in archeology confirms that the most striking feature of Gibeon is its abundant supply of water, a main spring and seven smaller ones.
Joshua 9:27. In order to establish a pact with the Israelites, the Gibeonites claim to be from a distant nation to be able to enter into a pact with Joshua to let them live but when the ruse is discovered, the Israelites decide to comply with the pact, but due to deception they make the Gibeonites gatherers of wood and water harvesters, coming to serve the Israelites as if they were a species of slaves and with this it can be said that it was partially fulfilling the inspired curse of Noah on Canaan, the son of Ham.
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