2nd Evangelical Free Church

Blogging through Joshua: Practice forgiveness and mercy.

Joshua 20-21

This chapter tells us about the designation of the cities of refuge. As we recall from our readings in Numbers and Deuteronomy, these cities were set up to protect people who were guilty of accidental or unintentional manslaughter. In the city of refuge, they were safe from retribution or vengeance on the part of the deceased’s family. However, there was no refuge for those who took a life with premeditated and deliberate planning.

The cities of refuge show God’s concern for justice. His justice is always tempered with mercy and understanding. The cities demonstrate to us the need to refrain from exacting justice ourselves. The Lord will take vengeance for all sin, often using those governmental agencies set up for this purpose. If the government does not, the Lord will punish in His time and by His means. For believers this means the sin has already been covered by the blood of Jesus. For nonbelievers it would be sinful of us to withhold forgiveness from them even when we have been injured or offended by something someone said or did to us or someone else. When this happens we should think and pray before we act. Too often in the heat of the moment our anger stimulates us to retaliate to take revenge. I think the Lord would commend us to forgive all such injuries even when the person does not apologize, for often the injury was unintentional, done in ignorance or in anger. But even if not, vengeance belongs to the Lord, not us. 

 

Blogging through Joshua: Practice forgiveness and mercy.

Joshua 20-21

This chapter tells us about the designation of the cities of refuge. As we recall from our readings in Numbers and Deuteronomy, these cities were set up to protect people who were guilty of accidental or unintentional manslaughter. In the city of refuge, they were safe from retribution or vengeance on the part of the deceased’s family. However, there was no refuge for those who took a life with premeditated and deliberate planning.

The cities of refuge show God’s concern for justice. His justice is always tempered with mercy and understanding. The cities demonstrate to us the need to refrain from exacting justice ourselves. The Lord will take vengeance for all sin, often using those governmental agencies set up for this purpose. If the government does not, the Lord will punish in His time and by His means. For believers this means the sin has already been covered by the blood of Jesus. For nonbelievers it would be sinful of us to withhold forgiveness from them even when we have been injured or offended by something someone said or did to us or someone else. When this happens we should think and pray before we act. Too often in the heat of the moment our anger stimulates us to retaliate to take revenge. I think the Lord would commend us to forgive all such injuries even when the person does not apologize, for often the injury was unintentional, done in ignorance or in anger. But even if not, vengeance belongs to the Lord, not us.

Blogging through Joshua: Casting lots does not equal gambling.

Joshua18-19

In order to divide the remaining land, Joshua and the high priest Eleazar decided that they had to first take account of all that remained. They sent men out to survey all the land and then write up detailed descriptions about the natural features, the cities, the farmlands and grazing areas and any remaining Canaanites. Then the leaders spent time creating various parcels of land from the descriptions. Lots were then cast to determine what parcel went to which tribe.

Other scriptures tell us what casting the lot was done. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Prov. 16:33). “Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart” (Prov. 18:18). The lot depicted in scripture is not the random cast of the dice, or the roll of a wheel, or the flip of a coin. The lot was a sacred means whereby the high priest determined the Lord’s will. It was a means of making decisions or settling disputes between groups or individuals. The Lord was the one who determined the outcome in every case.

The difference between gambling and the Biblical casting of lots is that the latter is God-centered while the former is not. When the Lord’s people cast the lot they do so to learn His will and to do carry it out. Gambling is something we human beings have invented to keep ourselves amused and is also thought to be a quick way to make money. Of course it is not. The emphasis in gambling is not on God or of doing the Lord’s will, but on money and self. In fact the god worshipped in gambling is money not the Lord.

Blogging through Joshua: Manasseh’s complaint.

Joshua 16-17

These two chapters detail the distribution of land to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Part of Manasseh dwelt east of the Jordan. Nevertheless, because the people of Manasseh were so numerous, they received a portion of the land of Canaan that bordered to the north of Ephraim. Yet they still decided to complain about their portion. Perhaps these 2 tribes assumed they had preeminence because they were descendants of Joseph, the savior of Israel and so they felt that their inheritance should be handed to them and that they would not have to work to secure it.

Their complaint of having to work too hard to take their allotment sheds insight onto the reason the Israelites ultimately failed to dislodge all the Canaanites. The Israelites got complacent and figured they should not have to fight any more. They had what they wanted. Why did they have to continue? The Lord would provide them whatever they needed, so why not prosperity and peace.

How often do believers act like that! There are many preachers around who preach a prosperity gospel that many Christians buy into. They feel they should reap all the benefits and blessings of the Kingdom here and now such as wealth, material goods, fame, power and freedom from sickness and not have to do anything to obtain any of it. They barely change their lives and then demand God do everything for them.

The presence of troubles and setbacks in our lives tells us that God does not want us  to become too complacent with or salvation and any victories we experience. For if things were too easy, if everything is just handed to us, if we do not have to suffer, we will turn away from God and forget about our need for Him. Adversity keeps one close to the Lord.

 

Blogging through Joshua: Praising the faithfulness of our elder brethren.

Joshua 14-15

The number of verses in these chapters may seem formidable but they all cover the same topic: the distribution of the land to Judah. Judah was the largest of the tribes and led the nation on the march in the wilderness (Num. 2:3-9). Apparently they were also foremost in battle. Therefore they received the largest portion of the land. 

Caleb was singled out in Judah for special recognition. He and Joshua were the only 2 left of all the adult Israelites who had left Egypt over 40 years before. Caleb stood with the Lord when the nation disobeyed Him at Kadesh Barnea. He remained wholly devoted to the Lord all of his life. Even though he was advanced in age he was active in the battle. For his faithfulness and devotion he received as his inheritance the city of Hebron. This was a great blessing not only because it was taken from a fierce foe but because it was the place where Yahweh had met and fellowshipped with Abraham in his tent. Hebron then is a place of fellowship and friendship with God. It was a fitting reward for a faithful servant.

Caleb serves as an example to our older Christian brethren that God can still use them to advance His kingdom. No one retires from God’s calling though that calling may be fulfilled in different ways. Caleb also should serve to remind younger Christians that their elders have gained wisdom and learned valuable spiritual lessons through their experiences of God’s faithfulness in both trials and victories. Too often the young  think they have all the answers. Too often they think before they speak and show their ignorance. The older Christian brother and sister often have much to teach the next generation. The young should not push them aside or show them disrespect. 

 

Blogging through Joshua: The need for depending on the Lord.

Joshua 13

God instructed Joshua to begin dividing the land among the tribes. The process began with the lands east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad and part of Manasseh. The armed man of these tribes had accompanied their brethren into the Promised Land and fought alongside of them for 5 years. Now they received permission to settle down. The tribe of Levi is also mentioned. They receive no land except the cities of refuge. The Levites were entrusted with the worship of the Lord. This was their inheritance, both a great responsibility as well as a tremendous blessing. They were the closest to God. 

It is also interesting to note that not all the land of Promise had been taken when the Lord gave these orders to stop the fighting. In fact, the land conquered was much smaller than the land promised by the Lord in Joshua 1:4. But now after 5 years it was time to consolidate what had been taken, secure it and build. The struggle would continue but for now it was time to enjoy what the Lord had given. The Lord allowed the continued effort to keep the land and expand it in the face of opposition. He did this so that His people would realize their total dependence on Him.  

When we come to the Lord we too do not have complete victory over our sin nature. We continue to be plagued by the temptations of the flesh. We must never become too complacent and think we have attained perfection nor should we think that because we struggle we are in sin or lack faith. God uses our trials and tribulations to keep us closer to Him.

 

Blogging through Joshua: Avoid the ways of the world.

Joshua 12

Once Israel experienced a respite from warfare, it was time to take stock of all they had accomplished. Thus this chapter serves as a prelude to the division of the territory that had been taken during the five years of fighting. It gives us a list of the 30 or so conquered cities as well as their kings. We should not think of these kings as rulers over vast tracts of territory and hundreds of thousands of people. They ruled small city states usually composed of walled towns or cities and the surrounding farm lands. A few commanded, at most, the allegiance of hundreds of people though many ruled over thousands. In any event all of the conquered Canaanite kings were slain in battle or executed.

Israel did not need a king. The Lord ruled over the people so there was no need for power plays or political maneuvering. I suppose the church today can learn a lesson from this. There are far too many churches today that are “independent” in the sense that their pastors have founded them. Such pastors are often accountable to no one and rule with a tight fist. These pastors have created those churches often to boost their own egos. 

Although churches which belong to a denomination are accountable to their superiors, many of the individual churches as well as denominational hierarchy churches often get bogged down in power and politics or worldliness while neglecting the great commission. Leaders of churches ought to imitate Jesus by being shepherds and servants rather than petty despots who seek to build their own kingdom. So we should pray that our pastors serve with humility in submission to the will of God.  

 

Blogging through Joshua: Faithfulness means obedience to God’s commands.

Joshua 11

Joshua and Israel fought and defeated the cities of the northern part of Canaan. Each successive battle seemed to be more difficult. The cities that Israel attacked had great walls or were fortresses built on mountains and hills. They had larger armies and more advanced weaponry. The cities formed even larger coalitions more formidable numbers arrayed against the Israelites. The fighting was often difficult; it took years; yet no one could withstand the onslaught of the Lord’s army.

The main reason for Joshua’s success was obedience to the Lord. He had learned the hard way that it was foolhardy to ignore the Lord and quite unwise to proceed without consulting Him. He learned that the Lord demands strict obedience. Joshua manifested such great obedience as he and the Israelites killed all the Canaanites. He did not intentionally spare anyone, but a number did remain untouched.

Joshua’s faithfulness to God’s commands speaks to us about our need to obey the Lord in our daily life. The Lord tells us to forsake all the things that the world, our friends and neighbors and even family may value. Things that may seem innocuous or neutral can turn around and hurt us. Any compromise with the world can lead to sin because if we are not careful we will be seduced and corrupted. God says all or nothing. There is no half way.

 

Blogging through Joshua: Did the sun really stand still?

Joshua 10

When Joshua went out to fight the coalition of cities who had attacked Gibeon, he went with the Lord’s blessing. Without the Lord’s backing Israel would have been defeated. It was Yahweh as the Captain of the Host who unleashed His power upon His enemies. In response to Joshua’s prayer, the Lord lengthened the light of day so that the victory would be total. There may be scientific or physical explanations for what happened. The rotation of the earth may have stopped or the darkness of the storm may have made it seem that the day progressed slowly. Whether such explanations can be proven or not does not matter. What occurred is miraculous because it happened as the battle was being fought and affected only the Canaanites. As the text points out, more Canaanites were slain by the hailstones than by the sword. There is no doubt that victory resulted not from the work of human hands, but from the power of the Lord.

These days, we believers fight a battle. We do not fight a physical one. We do not fight to kill people. We fight a spiritual battle against temptation. We fight also against the devil as we seek to win the souls of men who are enslaved by him in ignorance, fear, doubt, corruption and lust. Our weapons are not guns, bombs, spears or swords. Our warfare is waged with the weapons of prayer and the word of God accompanied by faith in Jesus. When we use such weapons properly the Lord will enable us to rightly discern His will. Then we cannot be defeated. Therefore when we go forth to preach the gospel or tell others about our faith in Jesus we need not be afraid of what others may say about us, the names they may call us, the insults or violence they may heap on us. The victory is the Lord’s. 

 

Blogging through Joshua: Don’t be fooled.

Joshua 9

After Israel’s victories, the Cannaanite cities were filled by great fear of God’s power. Many decided to fight. The people of Gibeon and its neighbors decided that resistance would be futile and fatal. They concocted an elaborate ruse to fool the Israelites into thinking they were not Canaanites but from a distant land who came to worship the Lord. In a sense they were like Rahab who lied to save her family and herself, but they did not have true faith in Yahweh as she did. 

Israel sinned because she failed to consult the Lord when approached by the Gibeonites. The first time they did this, they suffered defeat at Ai. Here they do not get into such trouble. In fact their sin turned out to bring them blessings. It allowed them to enslave the Gibeonites and use them in their service. 

This should not make us think that any of our plans apart from the Lord will succeed. In fact, the sin of the Israelites should remind us that the temptations of the devil can deceive us. We must always go to the Lord when we are faced with choices of any kind. When we enter life’s situations, or business contracts or jobs with unbelievers, we must always consult the Lord. This will prevent us from falling into sin as well as enable us to use the situation and relationship to give God glory.