Day 77

Numbers 26:52–28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17

IN OUR READING from Numbers today, Moses’ successor was chosen, consecrated, and announced: “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him,” God instructed Moses (Numbers 27:18).

It won’t be until we reach the book of Joshua that we’ll fully witness Joshua’s leadership, but here we see Moses preparing the way for him.

In Luke’s Gospel, we see a similar preparation and consecration. John the Baptist had been preparing the way for the Lord’s coming in the wilderness, near the Jordan River, outside of Jericho. Today, in that very place, John baptized Jesus.

“You are my dearly loved Son,” God said as Jesus emerged from the water, “and you bring me great joy” (Luke 3:22).

Ironically, the Hebrew names for Joshua and Jesus —Yehoshua or Yeshua —are the same and essentially mean “God’s salvation.”* This is another glimpse of the thread of redemption that winds its way through the entire Bible.

As usual, our reading from Proverbs gives us brilliant, stark, and immediate counsel: “Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you” (Proverbs 11:17).

This statement needs little explanation and touches all of the issues of our lives and relationships. It is no less true now than when it was uttered, because it is a core truth of the human experience. If we will heed it, we will be rewarded. If we ignore it, we will find destruction.

PRAYER:

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!