There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.
Joshua 8:35

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READ: Joshua 8:30–35

Having a storybook read aloud to you is one of the purest pleasures of childhood—and one of the greatest joys of parenthood. Many parents recount reading bedtime stories to their kids as among their fondest parenting memories. The human brain and heart interact differently when we hear words read aloud, rather than reading them to ourselves. It’s one reason audiobooks are so popular. Studies show that older kids and even teens benefit from hearing books read aloud. There’s just something meaningful about experiencing a story together.

The nation of Israel understood the value of stories read aloud. Israelites were avid storytellers, scribes, and memorizers. They were a people of the word, who valued both the oral and written traditions. Newest archeological discoveries affirm that literacy was fairly widespread among the ancient Israelites—more so than among surrounding nations. The Book of the Law—the first five books of the Old Testament—is historically attributed to Moses as its author, with God having given Moses the words to write on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18).

Joshua had just completed the first major campaign of his leadership. Lessons had been learned, and God had been faithful. In Joshua 8:32, Joshua wrote out a copy of the Book of the Law, while all of Israel looked on. This task must have taken many days to complete. Then with everyone gathered—foreigners included—“Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law” (8:34). This, too, was no speedy feat. It likely took many hours, but Joshua was committed to making sure his people heard every word.

What must it have been like for the Israelites to hear their entire history read aloud, with all of their family and friends gathered together? Looking into an uncertain future, the stories Joshua read must have created a reassuring backdrop: for hundreds of years, God had been faithful. Surely, God would continue to be faithful in the future.

A STORY OF THEN & NOW

Transformed by the Word | Claudia R. | Willow South Lake

I didn’t grow up with church. My parents came from Cuba, where religion was restricted and practicing faith openly was illegal. That left a mark—not just on them, but on how I understood God. We believed, but there was no space to explore it. So, for most of my life, church wasn’t something I was part of.

That changed after I moved to Illinois. I suddenly found myself longing for a deeper sense of community. I started attending church, drawn by the worship and teaching, but I still felt like something was missing. Then one night, in a conversation with friends about the Bible, I realized I couldn’t really join in, because I didn’t know much about the Bible. And as someone who loves reading, I felt the nudge: maybe it’s time to start.

At first, Scripture clashed with everything I thought I knew. Growing up in a very secular environment, I’d never considered that the world might have skewed my understanding of things like love, purpose, or even what it means to be a good person. But the more I read, the more walls came down. Slowly, the Word began to fill my heart in a way nothing else had.

One verse in particular—Psalm 139:23a—wrecked me. “Search me, God, and know my heart.” It was the first time I truly submitted to being known by Him. And as I kept reading, I began to see His fingerprints all over my past—moments of peace during my mom’s cancer treatments, or expressions of love when I had none to give. God had been with me all along. Scripture didn’t just inform me—it transformed me.

DID YOU KNOW?

The first five books of the Bible—Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy— are called the Torah in Hebrew and the Pentateuch in Greek. Historically, Jewish boys memorized large portions of the Torah as part of their education.

A PRAYER

God, Your Word holds the story of Your people—and the lessons learned along the way. Give me a renewed passion for reading or listening to Scripture, so Your faithfulness remains fresh in my mind. Amen.

FOR REFLECTION

What was your most memorable read-aloud experience as a kid?

Why do you think it was important for Israel to hear their history read aloud? Do you have traditions in which Scripture is read aloud? How might listening to Scripture strengthen your faith?