To Jericho
Drama
Graduation Is Not For Angels
Contemporary Christian Dramas
Object:
Moses readied the younger Joshua over many years to assume his role in leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Young leaders need to be nourished and allowed to develop their talents and gifts under the wise guidance of anointed leadership.
* * *
Setting: The Children of Israel are ready to enter the Promised Land
Characters:
MOSES: Older man, wise with much authority, weary
JOSHUA: Younger man, anxious about the job before him, eager
Costumes: Biblical dress
Props: A box to sit on
Scene: Moses and Joshua are discussing the change of leadership
* * *
(Characters enter from left talking, approach center stage. It is obvious that they enjoy one another's company)
MOSES: (Gestures all around him; he is upbeat) Joshua, Son of Nun, look at the land stretched out before us. A vast land. The land God promised to us, His people. Land flowing with milk and honey. And all we have to do is go in and conquer it.
JOSHUA: (Looks around; also upbeat) Ah, there were years, Moses, when I didn't think this day would ever come. There were months when I thought the whole of the people would skin you alive -- they are so sick of manna. Now look at the fertile valleys, the overflowing streams, the heavy orchards ... and they are all ours. All we have to do is go in and possess it.
MOSES: Yes, Joshua, yes. All we have to do is go in and possess it. (Sits down; long pause) You have walked with me these past forty years, Joshua, Son of Nun. You have been my right hand man. You will never know how much your allegiance, both to me and to Jehovah, the Great I AM, has meant to me. You waited tirelessly for me on the mountain when God gave us his commandments -- and the people were below making for themselves a golden calf. (Sighs) These have been a difficult people, my son.
JOSHUA: (Shakes head knowingly) And, yet, how many times have you told me, Moses, that they are a chosen people. A kingdom of kings and priests for our God. Probably more times than I can count. (Kneels before MOSES) It's the vision that's kept you going, isn't it? I've watched you.
MOSES: (Thoughtfully) Yes ... yes, they are a chosen people, and you, Joshua, (Lays a hand on Joshua's shoulder) are the man who will lead them into the land of their inheritance. The task ahead is almost as great as the mass exodus out of Egypt. My son, I don't envy you. There are giants in the land ...
JOSHUA: (Excitedly) But, Moses, I have an idea, an idea I believe is from God. We can conquer those giants -- starting with Jericho.
MOSES: Jericho? Joshua, are you mad? Jericho is the most fortified city in the whole land!
JOSHUA: (Stands) No, Moses, listen. We shall camp before the city. Let them see us. Let God Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob go ahead of us and whisper how powerful we are in their ears. It will melt the hearts of our enemies until they have no spirit left in them. The victory will be ours!
MOSES: It's a risky plan, Joshua. Very risky. It could mean sure defeat -- that is, if you could even get the people to fall for such an idea. I fear ...
JOSHUA: (Excitedly) No, Moses, listen! For six days we will march around the city, the Ark of the Covenant and the priests with trumpets leading the way. We will march around the city once, no one uttering a sound. Then on the seventh day, we will march around the city seven times, the priests will blow the trumpets, the people who have been silent will shout. Heaven's armies will shout -- the sound will be deafening. And the walls of Jericho will fall! (Shakes fist in the air) The Lord God will prevail!
MOSES: (Shakes his head, softly) A more strange plan I have never heard, my son. If I did not know you so well ...
JOSHUA: (Kneels before MOSES) Moses, you will not be with us. You have said so with your own lips. What am I to do?
MOSES: (Places hand on his shoulder) Ah, Joshua, my son, but you have learned your lessons well. You have shouldered much of the responsibility of these people with me. You have embraced the covenant of your fathers. You are more than ready for leadership. I said your plan was a strange one. Never did I say your plan wouldn't work.
(Stands) God has other plans for me. I have finished this fight. I have completed this race. It is time for me to move on. It is time to pass the baton on to another, younger, with new vision, new vitality. I have no vision for how to conquer the land of Canaan. I have brought the children of Israel to this place. The vision, Joshua, Son of Nun, belongs to you. With you will go all I know, all that God has given me plus a new anointing. And you go with my blessing. (Emphatically) March around the city of Jericho. Bring down the walls with a mighty shout. I know your heart young Joshua. I know you have heard from God.
JOSHUA: (Stands) Moses, but supposing I am wrong?
MOSES: Son, a few moments ago you were sure. Now you vacillate. I have done that to you. No, I am confident in your ability to lead these people. You have embraced the eternal covenant of God. Go! Take that covenant and build on it. And it will be the Lord who will go ahead of you: He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
JOSHUA: Moses, you have been like a father to me. I thank you for the encouragement, I thank you for the vision, the teachings of God, the faith you have placed in me all these years. (Embraces MOSES in a heartfelt embrace of gratitude and love, then moves away to center of stage) Then we, Jehovah's chosen people, will go forth in the things of God, the Great I AM. (Raises a hand into the air for emphasis) To Jericho!
* * *
Setting: The Children of Israel are ready to enter the Promised Land
Characters:
MOSES: Older man, wise with much authority, weary
JOSHUA: Younger man, anxious about the job before him, eager
Costumes: Biblical dress
Props: A box to sit on
Scene: Moses and Joshua are discussing the change of leadership
* * *
(Characters enter from left talking, approach center stage. It is obvious that they enjoy one another's company)
MOSES: (Gestures all around him; he is upbeat) Joshua, Son of Nun, look at the land stretched out before us. A vast land. The land God promised to us, His people. Land flowing with milk and honey. And all we have to do is go in and conquer it.
JOSHUA: (Looks around; also upbeat) Ah, there were years, Moses, when I didn't think this day would ever come. There were months when I thought the whole of the people would skin you alive -- they are so sick of manna. Now look at the fertile valleys, the overflowing streams, the heavy orchards ... and they are all ours. All we have to do is go in and possess it.
MOSES: Yes, Joshua, yes. All we have to do is go in and possess it. (Sits down; long pause) You have walked with me these past forty years, Joshua, Son of Nun. You have been my right hand man. You will never know how much your allegiance, both to me and to Jehovah, the Great I AM, has meant to me. You waited tirelessly for me on the mountain when God gave us his commandments -- and the people were below making for themselves a golden calf. (Sighs) These have been a difficult people, my son.
JOSHUA: (Shakes head knowingly) And, yet, how many times have you told me, Moses, that they are a chosen people. A kingdom of kings and priests for our God. Probably more times than I can count. (Kneels before MOSES) It's the vision that's kept you going, isn't it? I've watched you.
MOSES: (Thoughtfully) Yes ... yes, they are a chosen people, and you, Joshua, (Lays a hand on Joshua's shoulder) are the man who will lead them into the land of their inheritance. The task ahead is almost as great as the mass exodus out of Egypt. My son, I don't envy you. There are giants in the land ...
JOSHUA: (Excitedly) But, Moses, I have an idea, an idea I believe is from God. We can conquer those giants -- starting with Jericho.
MOSES: Jericho? Joshua, are you mad? Jericho is the most fortified city in the whole land!
JOSHUA: (Stands) No, Moses, listen. We shall camp before the city. Let them see us. Let God Almighty, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob go ahead of us and whisper how powerful we are in their ears. It will melt the hearts of our enemies until they have no spirit left in them. The victory will be ours!
MOSES: It's a risky plan, Joshua. Very risky. It could mean sure defeat -- that is, if you could even get the people to fall for such an idea. I fear ...
JOSHUA: (Excitedly) No, Moses, listen! For six days we will march around the city, the Ark of the Covenant and the priests with trumpets leading the way. We will march around the city once, no one uttering a sound. Then on the seventh day, we will march around the city seven times, the priests will blow the trumpets, the people who have been silent will shout. Heaven's armies will shout -- the sound will be deafening. And the walls of Jericho will fall! (Shakes fist in the air) The Lord God will prevail!
MOSES: (Shakes his head, softly) A more strange plan I have never heard, my son. If I did not know you so well ...
JOSHUA: (Kneels before MOSES) Moses, you will not be with us. You have said so with your own lips. What am I to do?
MOSES: (Places hand on his shoulder) Ah, Joshua, my son, but you have learned your lessons well. You have shouldered much of the responsibility of these people with me. You have embraced the covenant of your fathers. You are more than ready for leadership. I said your plan was a strange one. Never did I say your plan wouldn't work.
(Stands) God has other plans for me. I have finished this fight. I have completed this race. It is time for me to move on. It is time to pass the baton on to another, younger, with new vision, new vitality. I have no vision for how to conquer the land of Canaan. I have brought the children of Israel to this place. The vision, Joshua, Son of Nun, belongs to you. With you will go all I know, all that God has given me plus a new anointing. And you go with my blessing. (Emphatically) March around the city of Jericho. Bring down the walls with a mighty shout. I know your heart young Joshua. I know you have heard from God.
JOSHUA: (Stands) Moses, but supposing I am wrong?
MOSES: Son, a few moments ago you were sure. Now you vacillate. I have done that to you. No, I am confident in your ability to lead these people. You have embraced the eternal covenant of God. Go! Take that covenant and build on it. And it will be the Lord who will go ahead of you: He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
JOSHUA: Moses, you have been like a father to me. I thank you for the encouragement, I thank you for the vision, the teachings of God, the faith you have placed in me all these years. (Embraces MOSES in a heartfelt embrace of gratitude and love, then moves away to center of stage) Then we, Jehovah's chosen people, will go forth in the things of God, the Great I AM. (Raises a hand into the air for emphasis) To Jericho!
