Through 2024, every member of the Thirst Collective – Thir.st, Salt&Light, Stories of Hope, 还好吗 hhm.sg, Living Room, Collective Studio – has committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover. 

We thought it’d be cool to pick out reflections and insights from our team’s readings to share with you. This time, dive deep into Joshua with us!

Joshua 2: Rahab’s courage

David, Collective Studio

“and she said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror and dread of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted [in despair] because of you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan [on the east], to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted [in despair], and a [fighting] spirit no longer remained in any man because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬, ‭AMP‬‬)

Sometimes we focus so much on the internal struggles, issues and flaws of God’s people/communities, but the bigger picture we often miss is the impact and influence God has been making outside of our sphere.

God is working within us, around us, outside of us – all things for His purpose and good. We can put our faith in Him.

Theresa, Salt&Light

“and she tied the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21)

The men had told her whatever they promised wasn’t set in stone until they saw the scarlet cord when they came back tied to Rahab’s window.

It makes me think of how some people (like pre-believer me) would sit on the fence or delay receiving salvation even when all the promises are within their grasp.

But not Rahab – she boldly chose salvation for herself and her family. And her act of faith had such powerful impact down the line (Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 11:31)

Joshua 3: Crossing the Jordan

Christine, Salt&Light

“Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5)

They had to be set apart and were made clean in their preparation to receive the miracles of God. It was a partnership. They prepared, God performed.  Perhaps we don’t experience as much of God’s miracles because our hearts are not ready.

How it must have taken so much faith for the priests to take that first step into the waters when the waters were at their highest — and not only take that first step but to continue on faith, standing in the middle of the river until all had passed through.

Joshua 6: Jericho falls

Ying Jie, 还好吗 hhm.sg

There is no more strange way to attack a city than to carry the ark of the Covenant around the city for seven days. God not only allowed the Israelites to walk around the city in triumph during these seven days, but also allowed them to patiently wait for God during these seven days. 

God wants people to understand that the spiritual battle is not theirs, but God’s. If people are faithful and obedient and work with God, God Himself will be responsible for great things.

Joshua’s strange command required faith; The people also needed faith to carry out such strange commands. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).

Joshua 10: The sun stands still

Nicole, Thir.st

“So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, Until the nation [of Israel] took vengeance upon their enemies. Is it not written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stood still in the middle of the sky and was in no hurry to go down for about a whole day.” (Joshua‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

I think this phenomenon is called retrograde motion, where a planet or star looks as if it’s staying still due to specific planetary alignments/ rotations. If I’m not wrong, this is how the star of Bethlehem stayed still too.

The crazy thing is that it takes thousands of years for a singular event to happen – the Earth must be in this position, the sun must be there, this planet has gotta be here etc. 

So basically even a thousand years before Joshua prayed the sun would stay still, God was already making sure it would stay still, at that specific time. At that specific prayer. Very cool.

Joshua 11: God moves

Edric, Thirst Collective

“And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” (‭‭Joshua‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬)

There are times when God says move and we do so with little faith. Then, some other times, we move out of habit. Or responsibility.

Moving up the spectrum, sometimes we feel ourselves stirred. Like we feel good about it. God helps us crank up our faith. We step up with assurance, confidence. 

And then sometimes — I wouldn’t say it’s frequent, quite a rarified moment — you know deep down in your gut that God is gonna move.

And you’re bouncing with expectation and anticipation. More than confidence it is a deep conviction – confirm plus double-chop – that what is about to happen is absolutely in God’s will.

And He sometimes gives specifics to confirm the Word. So you know it’s not a coincidence, not a figment of your imagination, and certainly not the work of man. “Tomorrow at this time!”

I love those moments.

Joshua 15: Judah’s allotment

Gracia, Living Room

I find it incredible how Caleb, at age 85, was able to drive out the Anakim (Joshua 15:14). Whereas the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, allowing them to dwell together in the land with them (Joshua 15:63).

Perhaps, as some commentary suggests, statements of what Israel could not do are to be read as early evidence of spiritual slippage, of failure to follow the Lord wholeheartedly as Caleb did.

Because clearly it was God’s desire for them to have victory over their enemies and take possession of the land, if they trusted in Him to fight for them.

Joshua 18: Division of the land

Nicolette, 还好吗 hhm.sg

“Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?” (Joshua‬ ‭18‬:‭3,‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The seven tribes found comfort in Ephraim and Manasseh, and thus chose not to fight for what God has given them. 

Today, though we are fighting from a place of guaranteed victory (Team God!), God still requires us to put up a fight. Let no fear deter us from doing what He has called us to do. 

Joshua 21: All promises fulfilled

Felicia Chin, 还好吗hhm.sg

“So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:43-45)

From the time of Abraham to the book of Joshua is about 600 years. God kept to His word, and similarly, not one word from all the good words from God will fail us. God keeps all His promises to us. He is unlike humans who may fail — God does not fail!

Joshua 24: The covenant renewed at Shechem

Em, Salt&Light

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

The key theme of this book, to me, has been choice.

• Rahab chose to fear the God of the Israelites
• The Gibeonites chose to ally with them
• Achan chose to steal
• At Mt Ebal and Gerazim was read out the choice between blessings and curses
• Caleb reiterated the choice he had made (and received his inheritance). 

Levan, Stories of Hope

“But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the Lord.” Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the Lord.” “Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.” (Joshua 24:21-22)

While none of us are free from stumbles, the promise to serve God is a serious one.

There are many capacities we can serve in, but we must seek to commit ourselves not simply to ask God for things, but to do the things that God hopes for us to do, trusting that He does so for our own good and the good of others.

The promise is a lifelong one. It is our higher calling. Nothing else matters in comparison. We are put on earth to serve the Lord. And in doing so, we lead a purposeful life.