Study Desk

All the Israelites were gathered together, and Moses sang this whole song for them:

Is this the way you repay the Lord for all he has done for you? You are stupid, foolish people. He is your Father and your Creator. He made you, and he supports you.

God Most High separated the people on earth and gave each nation its land. He set up borders for all people. He made as many nations as there are angels.

I will punish them for the bad things they did. But I am saving that punishment for when they slip and do bad things. Their time of trouble is near. Their punishment will come quickly.'

Then the Lord will say, ‘Where are the false gods? Where is the "rock" that you ran to for protection?

"The whole world should be happy for God's people! God punishes people who kill his servants. He gives his enemies the punishment they deserve. And he makes his land and people pure."

Moses and Joshua son of Nun came and sang all the words of this song for the Israelites to hear.

Moses gave us the law. These teachings are for Jacob's people.

Moses said this about Judah: " Lord , listen to the leader from Judah when he calls for help. Bring him to his people. Make him strong, and help him defeat his enemies!"

He chose the best part for himself. He took the king's share. The leaders of the people come to him. He did what the Lord says is good. He did what is right for the Israelites."

The Israelites cried for Moses for 30 days. They stayed in the Jordan Valley in Moab until the time of sadness was finished.

No other prophet ever did as many powerful and amazing things as Moses did for the Israelites to see.

"Remember what the Lord 's servant Moses told you. He said that the Lord your God would give you a place to live. So he has given you this land east of the Jordan River. But now you must help your relatives get their land. Your wives and children can stay here with your animals. But all your fighting men must prepare for battle and lead the men of the other tribes across the river.

The Lord has given you a place to live, and he will do the same for your brothers. But you must help them until they take control of the land the Lord your God is giving them. Then you can come back and settle here on the east side of the river. This is the land that the Lord 's servant Moses said would be yours."

But someone told the king of Jericho, "Last night some men from Israel came to look for weaknesses in our country."

So the king's men went out of the city, and the people closed the city gates. The king's men went to look for the two men from Israel. They went to the Jordan River and looked at all the places where people cross the river.

The two men were ready to sleep for the night, but Rahab went to the roof to talk to them.

The men agreed and said, "We will trade our lives for yours. Don't tell anyone what we are doing. Then, when the Lord gives us the land, we will be kind to you. You can trust us."

Then she said to them, "Go into the hills so that the king's men will not accidentally find you. Hide there for three days. After the king's men come back, you can go on your way."

The men said to her, "We made a promise to you. But you must do one thing, or we will not be responsible for our promise.