Joshua
A Verse Response
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Joshua's Charge

Be strong and resolute,
not frightened or dismayed.
The Lord your God will go with you
in everything you do.

Be strong and resolute,
and take up Moses' place,
for where your feet step in this Land
God gives to Israel's band.

Be strong and resolute.
God's words be in your mouth.
Turn neither to the left or right
and God will give you might.

Be strong and resolute.
This is God's weighty charge.
God's promise of a homeland true
will be fulfilled in you.




Crossing the Jordan

Jordan River is deep and wide. Alleluia.
Milk and honey on the other side. Alleluia.
You can cross it if you try. Alleluia.
God will make the river dry. Alleluia.

Seven lift the Covenant. Alleluia.
Set their feet in the wet torrent. Alleluia.
Each tribe take a stone away. Alleluia.
Set twelve boulders to mark our way. Alleluia.

Up at Adam the waters stay. Alleluia.
Down below they drain away. Alleluia.
In the dry we'll lift our load. Alleluia.
Once a boundary, and now a road. Alleluia.

Forty years we crossed the sand. Alleluia.
Now we cross to our promised Land. Alleluia.
Some day soon, your child will ask. Alleluia.
Tell this story; fulfill your task. Alleluia.




The Spies

To Jericho city we went out as spies.
The army of Hebrews had need of our eyes.
To see their defenses is why we were sent;
to gauge their proud spirit, the reason we went.

We came upon Rahab, a town prostitute.
A room there we rented with breakfast to boot.
She let us inside and she bolted the door.
To conquer a king you must talk to the poor.

The guards of that city were brave men and true.
Before we had lodgings already they knew.
The king of the city sent officers there.
Of Rahab they asked that her knowledge she share.

"It's true that they came here," she said with a smile.
"But now they have gone and walked many a mile.
Set after them quickly; you may overtake.
Already it's evening so haste you must make."

But Rahab had hidden us up on the roof.
Her loyalty to us by this we have proof.
She asked in return that her family we spare,
a bargain which we deemed to only be fair.

"I know that to you your God gives victory.
We've already heard how God parted the sea.
Our citizens quake in their houses with fear.
They tasted defeat when you first appeared here."

The city was shut up, for it was nightfall.
The prostitute lowered us over the wall.
We took to the hills and we slept in the dew
and now we return to report all to you.




Joshua Walks In the Hills

Why are you here, why would you be
walking upon this hill?
It is the eve of battle and
the night is deathly still.

Are you with us and fight with us?
Are you our enemy?
You stand with drawn sword in your hand;
give me your loyalty.

I am the leader Joshua;
my father's name was Nun.
We wandered up from Egypt's land
in forty years of sun.

Great Moses was our general
and I his captain true.
But he is gone and I am left
to see these people through.

Our God has led us all these years.
We are a mighty band.
And honoring God's promises
we'll occupy this Land!

Are you with us and fight with us?
Are you our enemy?
The time has come for me to know
and you must speak to me!




The Lord's Captain

I am captain of the Lord's host,
bear the power that you honor most.
God of Jacob, God of Abraham;
in God alone you boast.

	Oh, take your sandals from your feet.
	I have come with you to meet.
	Where I stand the land is holy.
	Mighty God you see and greet.

At the Jordan I stopped its flow.
By my acts God's power you know.
Death and dying, birth, surviving,
I wield God's pow'r below.

	Oh, take your sandals from your feet.
	I have come with you to meet.
	Where I stand the land is holy.
	Mighty God you see and greet.

On the ground before me you bow.
You can strengthen your people now,
if you follow where I take you
and will obey my vow.

	Oh, take your sandals from your feet.
	I have come with you to meet.
	Where I stand the land is holy.
	Mighty God you see and greet.




Jericho

The people of Jericho tremble with fear.
The power of God very soon will be clear.
The gates of the city are bolted up tight
so no one can enter and none can come fight.

	We will fight for the Lord!
	With the Lord we will fight!
	We will fight for the Lord!
	We will trust in God's might!
	Let all of God's people depend on God's will
	for God was our leader and God leads us still.

Let seven from Levi their priestly horns sound.
Behind them the covenant box carry round.
We'll circle the city and then we'll go back.
In Jericho everyone's mood will turn black!

	We will fight for the Lord!
	With the Lord we will fight!
	We will fight for the Lord!
	We will trust in God's might!
	Let all of God's people depend on God's will
	for God was our leader and God leads us still.

Six days we'll repeat marching once 'round the wall.
Six times we'll appear without making a call.
Six days they will listen as rams' horns blare forth.
Six times they will tremble for all they are worth.

	We will fight for the Lord!
	With the Lord we will fight!
	We will fight for the Lord!
	We will trust in God's might!
	Let all of God's people depend on God's will
	for God was our leader and God leads us still.

The seventh day we will continue to walk
for seven full circuits and no one will talk.
But after the last time we'll raise such a din
that all of our army will simply walk in.

	We will fight for the Lord!
	With the Lord we will fight!
	We will fight for the Lord!
	We will trust in God's might!
	Let all of God's people depend on God's will
	for God was our leader and God leads us still.

Our God wins the battle; our God wins the war.
We are only instruments and nothing more.
The wall will collapse but it's not from our skill.
The city is taken because of God's will.

	We will fight for the Lord!
	With the Lord we will fight!
	We will fight for the Lord!
	We will trust in God's might!
	Let all of God's people depend on God's will
	for God was our leader and God leads us still.




Occupying the Land

At the Ruin, Joshua's tactics
brought the victory we lacked.
As we drew them toward the desert
they were suddenly attacked.
Their ruined city was in flames.
Then we turned and headed back
into the promised Land.

	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise
	into the promised Land!

All the cities joined against us
from the Jordan to the Sea.
But in Gibeon the elders
sought to live by treachery.
With deceit against our chieftains
they agreed our slaves to be
within the promised Land.

	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise
	into the promised Land!

Those kings from near Jerusalem
were taken by surprise.
The hailstones fell from thunderclouds,
the sun stopped in the skies.
With Joshua our general,
none snarl as we march by
into the promised Land.

	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise
	into the promised Land!

All the hill country was taken
and was put into the pot.
The forests and the farmland
were divided up by lot.
To Judah, Joseph, Ephraim,
Manasseh went prime spots
within the promised Land.

	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise
	into the promised Land!

Both Benjamin and Simeon
were next among the bands.
Then Zebulun and Issachar
and Asher took their land.
The Naphtalim received their lot;
Dan took a second stand
within the promised Land.

	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise.
	We are following God's promise
	into the promised Land!




Covenant Commitment

In the olden days long ago
God told Abraham, "Up and go!"
He was led to this very Land.
Here he fathered a faithful band.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!

Hunger drove us into Egypt.
There the Pharaoh our freedom clipped.
Moses came and he led us out,
all rejoicing with dance and shout.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!

Through the desert we wandered lost,
fed by God 'til the Jordan crossed.
Mighty nations all fled away;
God was fighting to clear the way.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!

Jordan River is cold and wide
but we walked across when we tried.
At God's order we took our load,
once a boundary was now a road.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!

Make a choice about whom you'll serve.
When you've chosen don't lose your nerve.
God your loyalty will demand
if you claim to be in God's band.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!

Those around you will be a snare.
Everything they do is unfair.
Every good thing will come to you
if what God wants is what you do.

	God of Abraham, in the promised Land
	we will follow you all our days!



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                                       November, 2007