As you read and reread the Bible you see things that you have seen before.

As you read and reread the Bible you see things that you have seen before.

You grab a concordance or turn to other passages and sure enough…it is there.

The Bible becomes an integrated whole and not a collection of separate unrelated parts. Details are recorded that link passages.

We need a plan to be sure we are nourishing ourselves with God’s word.

The post is about some of many examples of how passages of Scripture reinforce each other.

Connections between the books of Moses and the book of Joshua

These connections should not be seen as universal principles. They are events that highlight similarities in the ministries of Moses and Joshua.

Moses and Joshua met God, were commissioned, and learned their place before service.

Moses at the Burning Bush                              Exodus 3:2-6

Joshua and the Angel of the Lord                    Joshua 5:13-15

Moses and Joshua led the people across seemingly impossible barriers, seen in the sea and the river.

Moses crosses the sea                                     Exodus 14:21f

Joshua crosses the Jordan River                     Joshua 3; 4:23

There were reminders of redemption.

The blood on the doorposts                             Exodus 12:13

The scarlet cord on Rahab’s window              Joshua 2:7-20

Men were saved by a woman or women

Young sons were saved by the midwives; Moses by a princess; The midwives were rewarded by God and got homes.                                                            Exodus 1:17f; 2:3f; 1:21f

The spies were saved by Rahab; Rahab got a home and became part of the line of Messiah               Joshua 2:3f; 6:25f

After a great victory people were disobedient

Numbers 14

Joshua 7:1-5

The Leaders interceded for the people after defeat

Numbers 14:13-16

Joshua 7:7-9

Two spies gave good reports

Numbers 14:38

Joshua 2:24

The obedience of circumcision was restored

Moses for his sons                                                Exodus 4:24-26

Joshua for the people                                          Joshua 5:2-8

God used symbolic objects in times of victory

Moses raised up his staff hand against the Amalekites                    Exodus 17:8f

Joshua raised up his javelin against Ai                                            Joshua 8:18

In this post, I have been stimulated by the thoughts of John Sailhamer in the NIV Compact Bible Commentary, pages 180-181.

We need a plan to be sure we are nourishing ourselves with God’s word.

Four chapters a day and we can read through the Bible in a year.

Questions for consideration:

What is your plan to be continually nourished and challenged by the Bible?

In your most recent reading of Scripture what were connections you saw to other passages?