Main news for 16 September 2021

Throughout the first chapter of the book of Joshua these words are repeated four times. But three times God says them, and once the people do. In the first case God tells Joshua that he is to take part in the fulfillment of God's promise, that is, in a work that clearly exceeds human capacities, and calls him to be firm and courageous in his consent to this participation and in fidelity to God's design. Then God says that in order for Joshua to follow this path successfully and wisely, he must firmly and courageously read the book of the law continually, "day and night," not letting it "depart from your mouth," reflect on it, and do everything written in it. A clarification is worth making here: at this stage of God's formation of His people, the main instrument of connection was precisely the law; continual immersion in the book of the law was the way of remaining in constant relationship with God, the realization of His presence. From this follows God's third call to firmness and courage: they are necessary for cooperation with God, who is always near, almighty, all-seeing, and unpredictable.