In today's reading, The OT (Joshua 10-12) described in great detail the conquest of the promised land. The Israelites destroyed the two kings (Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan) east of the River Jordan and the 31 kings west of Jordan (including the famous battles of Jericho and Ai). On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua sang a song:
“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, (Joshua 10:12-13)
and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
So the sun stood still,
and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, (Joshua 10:12-13)
It was a miracle unlike any. The Lord listened to a human being. The scripture goes on to say: "Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!" It leaves no doubt whatever victory the Israelites had, it was the hand of the Lord that gave it to them.
The NT reading today (Luke 1:39-56) also described a song. Also known as the "Magnificat", the song writer Mary, who was probably between 14 to 16 years old at the time (based on the Jewish customs of marriage of the time), pregnant out of wedlock, poured out her heart in praise when she heard from her cousin (or just a relative because of the great age difference) Elizabeth these affirming words:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”(Luke 1:42-45)
And this is her song:
Mary’s Song
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.”
The parts that echoes the OT reading of today:
He has performed mighty deed...
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.
And we must hold on to his many promises... each and every day of our lives. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23)
*Noticed I had bold face every time the word "promised" is mentioned in scripture.
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