The book of Joshua ended with his death, yet he we see him alive and active. We should be aware that the historical books of the Bible do not always follow strict chronology. They were written to teach about God and His nature so that themes and theological images are more important than strict time sequence. Thus this passage about Joshua should be considered for its addition to the theme of the writer. It is an aside or parenthesis that looks back to give a perspective to what is to follow. When Joshua was alive all was well with Israel in the sense that success was insured when the people worshipped the Lord. What we will see in the rest of the book is the gradual falling away from this position as Israel lapses into apostasy.
The stories of the judges are related in cycles that contain the following elements: Israel does evil; God sends enemies to discipline; Israel cries out in distress; God sends a deliverer; Israel experiences peace; the cycle is repeated. The Christian life can be like that. We fall away. The Lord disciplines us to bring us back into fellowship with Him. If we are wise and humble, we will learn from our trials and not repeat them. But often this is not the case. As with Israel the cycle of apostasy and repentance can be repeated in a downward spiral. For many of us it is only when we will hit bottom that we see our need for constant reliance on the Lord.
When the Lord sends adverse circumstances into our lives we must stop and consider why. We know that he often uses such circumstances to help us grow, but just as often they may be His discipline. We may have sinned and strayed from Him. We may be focusing too much on things or on pleasing our self or other people. We must stop and pray and ask the Lord for guidance and, if necessary, forgiveness.
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