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Book of Joshua - Chapter 5 - Verse 6

5:6
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

Meaning

The verse recounts the journey of the children of Israel through the wilderness for forty years. This period of wandering was a consequence of their disobedience to the voice of the LORD. Specifically, it was the men of war who came out of Egypt who were consumed during this time. This punishment came as a result of their failure to obey the commands of the LORD. As a result of their disobedience, the promise of the land flowing with milk and honey, which the LORD had sworn to their fathers, was not fulfilled in their generation. The land promised to them was one of abundance and blessings, but their lack of faith and obedience led to them being denied entry. This story serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faith in the journey towards receiving God's promised blessings.

Theological Overview

This verse from the book of Joshua highlights how the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years as a consequence of their disobedience to the voice of the LORD. Through the theological lens, this can be seen as a lesson in the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. The reference to the land flowing with milk and honey symbolizes the promise of abundance and blessing that God had intended for His people. The word "consumed" in this context could be studied to emphasize the idea of divine judgment on those who choose to disobey God. This passage serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience but also points to the hope of God's promises for those who remain faithful.

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