Exit of the Exodus   

     Instead of a 300-mile (?) journey direct from Giza to the location of modern Israel, God had taken his people way out of the way, to a 40-year "school" in the Arabian desert. There he taught them without interference from the nations.

     The extended exodus gives way - finally! - to the task of displacing people who occupy the Promised Land.

     Moses and Aaron are history; Joshua, aide to Moses, will lead. Men without memory of Egypt and slavery have no problem marching out of this awful desert where they were born. 

     Miracles continue.

     Priests carry with them a precious chest - the ark of the covenant. Unfortunately, when they arrive at the Jordan River it's flood stage.

     Fortunately, as he did 40 years earlier, God parts the waters. Miracle. More precisely, he blocks water coming north to south. Water that already passed by trickles into the salt sea, and the invaders cross on dry land.

     Jericho is the first obstacle for some 40,000 armed Israelites. The would-be defenders and others are safely behind formidable city walls.  

     God has already told Joshua, I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.    

     Are you there? Two spies sneak into the city, where a prostitute, Rahab, tells them, "We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea (Hebrew, Yam Suph...Sea of Reeds) for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings east of the Jordan." 

     "Our hearts sank," she confides, "and everyone's courage failed because the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below." 

     What will the Lord do? 

     He plans a parade. For six days men and priests with the ark march around the walled city, blowing trumpets. If that didn't further unnerve the people, on the seventh day they circled seven times. 

     On Joshua's command, they all shout, and - miracle - the walls fall. 

     Many victories follow.

Monday: Miracle messages