By Michael Sherer, executive director of technology services and innovation
Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12 (NRSV)
I have known Christians who wear their Biblical literalism like a badge of honor. But while it is certainly important to understand the literal meaning of the text in its original context, to stop there is to diminish the power of the Biblical story. Today’s passage, Joshua 5:9-12, is a wonderful example of why. In it, the Israelites have just crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan after wandering 40 years in the desert. It is a seminal moment—the realization of God’s promise to give them the land; the end of manna in the desert; the beginning of enjoying the fruits of the land. The reproach of Egypt, the shame of slavery—God has rolled it away. God has kept His end of the covenant despite the imperfect faithfulness of the Israelites over the past 40 years. It is a fresh start. A new life.
You could stop there and the passage would hold up as meaningful and significant, but why would you? Enjoy the power of the metaphor! What deserts have you been wandering in? What shame in your past has God rolled away? What times in your life have you experienced a clean slate? A fresh start? How has God demonstrated God’s faithfulness to you in tangible ways. How has your relationship with God changed as a result? Your dependence? The true power of the Bible is to be able to speak with relevance across more than two millennia into our lives. To move us. To change us. To inspire us in ways literal text rarely can. In this season of Lent, we claim this story as our story, and are blessed by it. Praise be to God!
Scripture: Joshua 5:9-12 (NRSV)
The Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” And so that place is called Gilgal to this day.
10While the Israelites were camped in Gilgal they kept the passover in the evening on the fourteenth day of the month in the plains of Jericho. 11On the day after the passover, on that very day, they ate the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain. 12The manna ceased on the day they ate the produce of the land, and the Israelites no longer had manna; they ate the crops of the land of Canaan that year.