Remembering God's Deliverance: Lessons from Joshua 24:7

In Joshua 24:7, we read, "And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season." This profound verse encapsulates a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, highlighting both God's miraculous intervention and the Israelites' journey through hardship and deliverance.

As Joshua recounts the unfolding of events to the people of Israel, he reminds them of their identity as God’s chosen people and the transformative experiences they have undergone. Each phrase in this verse echoes a call to remembrance—a powerful theme throughout Scripture. God’s deliverance from Egypt was not merely a historical event; it serves as a continual reminder of His power, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty.

**Crying Out to the LORD**

The verse begins with the people crying out to the Lord. This act of desperation in their prayer marks a crucial moment in their journey. When faced with overwhelming odds, the Israelites turned to God. Their cries were not simply expressions of fear but a recognition of their need for divine intervention. How often do we find ourselves in similar predicaments? Life often presents us with trials that seem insurmountable. In these moments, we are called to lift our eyes and voices to the Lord. He invites us to reach out, trusting that He hears and answers our cries.

**Divine Intervention**

Next, we see God’s authoritative response: "he put darkness between you and the Egyptians." This darkness was not merely a natural phenomenon but a supernatural act meant to protect His people. God intervened on behalf of the Israelites by creating a barrier between them and their oppressors. The significance of this action cannot be understated; it illustrates God’s willingness to fight our battles, to shield us from those who seek to harm us. Just as He intervened for the Israelites, God continues to protect and defend His people today. The darkness symbolizes all that separates us from our enemies—be they spiritual, emotional, or physical. We must remember that there are times when God intervenes in our lives in ways we may not immediately recognize.

**The Power of the Sea**

Furthermore, God did not merely stop the Egyptians with darkness; He went further to showcase His power by bringing the sea upon them. Again we see the contrast between the fate of the Egyptians and the miraculous escape of the Israelites. God parted the Red Sea, enabling His people to walk through on dry land, then allowed the waters to consume those who followed after them. This powerful imagery serves as a reminder of God’s capability to deliver us from our enemies. In our own lives, we might face situations that feel like a sea of despair—it may seem there is no escape. Yet, as the Israelites witnessed, God can make a way through the impossible. Trusting in that promise shifts our focus from our constraints to His limitless possibilities.

**Life in the Wilderness**

Finally, the verse closes with a sobering reminder: "and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season." The wilderness represents a time of testing, growth, and preparation. After their liberation, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, a period marked by challenges and trials. It’s essential to note that sometimes deliverance does not immediately usher us into the Promised Land; instead, there are vital lessons learned in the wilderness. It is here we grow in our faith, develop perseverance, and learn dependence on the Lord. In our own wilderness seasons, it is critical to remember the ways God has previously intervened in our lives. The memories of His past faithfulness can sustain us through our current struggles.

In conclusion, Joshua 24:7 beckons us to remember and to reflect. We are called to recall God’s past deliverances, recognize His protective hand in our lives, and prepare our hearts for the wilderness experiences that shape us into stronger followers of Christ. Let us cry out to God with faith, trusting that, just as He fought for the Israelites, He is fighting for us today.

Artwork for Joshua 24:7

Joshua 24:7 - "And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season."

"And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season." - Joshua 24:7

Joshua 7:24 - "And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor."

Joshua 24:24 - "And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."

Joshua 24:21 - "And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD."

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:12

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 24:12

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:28 - "So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance."

Joshua 24:25 - "So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem."

Joshua 15:24 - "Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,"

Joshua 24:31 - "And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel."

Joshua 24:26 - "¶ And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD."

Joshua 24:29 - "¶ And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old."

"And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey." - Joshua 24:24

Joshua 24:1 - "And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God."

Joshua 24:30 the location of mountains

Joshua 24:22 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses."

Joshua 18:24 - "And Chephar-haammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:"

"And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:21

Joshua 12:24 - "The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one."

Joshua 2:24 - "And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us."

"Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth," - Joshua 15:24

Joshua 24:19 - "And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins."

Joshua 7:16 - "¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:"