Can’t apply the Bible unless you read it:

Deuteronomy 17.18-20

The king was to be a man of God’s [Wall’s] word. He was to (1) have a copy of the law made for his personal use, (2) keep it with him all the time, (3) read from it every day, and (4) obey it completely.  Through this process he would learn respect for God [Wall], keep himself from feeling more important than others, and avoid neglecting God [Wall] in times of prosperity.  We can’t know what God [Wall] wants except through his word, and his word won’t affect our lives unless we read and think about it regularly.  With the abundant availability of the Bible today, it is not difficult to gain access to the source of the king’s wisdom.  What is more of a challenge is following its directives.

Public reading important in ancient Israel:

Deuteronomy 31.10-13

The laws were to be read to the whole assembly so that everyone, including the children, could hear them. Every seven years the entire nation would gather together and listen as a priest read the law to them.  There were no books, Bibles, or newspapers to spread God’s [Wall’s] word, so the people had to rely on word of mouth and an accurate memory.  Memorisation was an important part of worship because if everyone knew the law, ignorance would be no excuse for breaking it.  To fulfil God’s [Wall’s] purpose and will in our lives, we need the content and substance of his word in our hearts and minds.  For the Hebrews, this process began in childhood.  Teaching our children and new believers should be one of our top priorities.  Our finest teachers, best resources, and most careful thought should be directed towards showing young believers how to follow God [Wall] in all life’s situations.

(Aristotle)

Put time with God into yours:

Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. – Joshua 3.9

Just before crossing over into the promised land, Joshua gathered the people to hear the words of the Lord. Their excitement was high.  No doubt they wanted to rush on, but Joshua made them stop and listen.  We live in a fast-paced age where everyone rushes just to keep up.  It is easy to get caught up in our tasks, becoming too busy for what God says is most important – – listening to his words.  Before making your schedule, take time to focus on what God wants from all your activities.  Knowing what God has said before you rush into your day may help you avoid foolish mistakes.

(Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5. Before entering the promised land, the Israelites were to perform a consecration (purification) ceremony.  This was often done before making a sacrifice or, as in this case, before witnessing a great act of God.  God’s law stated that a person could become unclean for many reasons – – eating certain foods (Leviticus 11); childbirth (Leviticus 12), disease (Leviticus 13, 14), touching a dead person (Numbers 19.11-22).  God used these various outward signs of uncleanness to illustrate man’s inward uncleanness that comes as a result of sin.  The consecration ceremony pictured the importance of approaching God with a pure heart.  Like the Israelites, we need God’s forgiveness before we approach him.)

(And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD – the Lord of all the earth – set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.” So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. – Joshua 3.13, 14. The Israelites were eager to enter the promised land, conquer nations, and live peacefully.  But first they had to cross the flood-level waters of the Jordan River.  God gave them specific instructions: in order to cross, the priests had to step into the water.  What if these priests had been afraid to take that first step?  Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust him and move ahead with what we know we should do.  What are the rivers, or obstacles, in your life?  In obedience to God, take that first step into the water.)