"There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God." --Psalm 46:4

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Serving God with His people at Faith OPC has been a great joy and blessing. When I grow up, I want to umpire Little League Baseball. I will revel on that day when I can say to a 10-year-old boy after four pitched balls, "Take a walk in the sunshine." My wife of 30+ years, Peggy, consistently demonstrates the love of Christ and remains my very best friend. Our six children, our four lovely, sweetie-pie daughters-in-law, and our four grandchildren serve as resident theologians.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Trivium Again

In Deuteronomy with Moses and his servant Joshua—see particularly Joshua 1:10-18

Grammar—Moses is given the Law, the Grammar for Israel’s knowledge of God and His ways. In a similar vein, Joshua receives the Law—not as Moses did on the Mountain; but he receives it as the Grammar of the Law—“do all that is written in it…” (Josh. 1:8a).

Dialectic—Moses explains the Law, that’s the Book of Deuteronomy. Usually, Bible teachers tell us that Deuteronomy is three sermons. That’s three times Moses going over the explanation of the Law to Israel and what it means for Israel’s life in the new Promised Land. Interestingly, Moses makes connections for the people between history (the past) and the future—a comparing and contrasting. In a similar vein, Joshua issues forth commandments—“Go… take…you shall possess as was promised….”; these are explanations and applications (…”Remember the word which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you….” Josh 1:13). Such things are the explanations of the Grammar to Israel as she readies to go across the Jordan R to go into the Promised Land. In Josh 1:10-18, Joshua explains the Lord’s plan to go into the land; and this explanation has as the backdrop the law and the Law-Giver (You shall have no other gods by Me…. ‘drive out the nations…..’), etc. etc.

Rhetoric—Moses died on Mt. Nebo (Duet 31), and before his death, Moses lays his hands on Joshua, transferring leadership and authority. Joshua then acts on the knowledge and understanding by taking on the mantle to stand in the place of his teacher. The rhetoric that Joshua displays comes by way of the people making the connections: 1) they see that the Grammar, what is written, will be followed with Joshua (Grammar w/ Moses; Grammar with Joshua); 2) Joshua commands the officers (Josh 1:10)…. and he explains what has been explained by Moses already----he reviews and applies….. The people listen: “just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you…”; and they acknowledge is persuasive ways… and see the Lord’s provision of knowledge, understanding and wisdom in Joshua… (“Only the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses…”). Last, note Joshua acting with the people to go over the Jordan R to take possession of Jericho and other cities. That is, Joshua practices and implements the commandments of God.

G. Mark Sumpter

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