John3Thirty

As the people near the Jordan and prepare to enter the land, God’s chosen leader send’s spies to gather intelligence. Unlike forty years earlier, when Moses had sent out twelve spies publicly, this mission will be very different. This will not be the people’s spies, but the leader’s personal spies. Joshua was not about to relive that. He secretly chose and sent two men with instructions to concentrate on Jericho. In Joshua 2 we can follow this mission.

The differences are evident from the beginning. In the first mission twelve men were chosen, one from each tribe, to spy out the land and bring back information on the people, the land and the strength of the cities. The tribes knew spies had gone out and saw this group as being their eyes and ears on the ground. They believed their report was for the purpose of determining whether they should try to take the land. This time was different—the people had nothing to do with picking, or sending out the men. They were hand selected by the man who would lead them into the land—a man, who had been one of the twelve earlier spies, and had been one of two not cowed by what they found. The people were not to be allowed to interfere with plans and were to be given no excuse for disobedience.

This mission also differs because he only sent two men. The earlier group of twelve was unwieldy, but probably necessary because they were to spy out the whole land. This small band was to concentrate on the first target—Jericho. With two there is less chance of the herd mentality when it comes time to report. Joshua was not going to risk another forty years in the desert. Another benefit of sending two—the two were able to get into a city and speak to the people. Twelve strangers showing up are likely to set off alarms so the earlier party probably had to stay outside the cities, simply seeing their strength from without. They had no way to determine the morale of the enemy as this smaller detachment did.

The conclusion of the spy mission is the most telling. While the first mission concluded with fear that they would be unable to take the land. This smaller, more direct, secret mission reported to Joshua: “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting because of us.”

How quickly things change. Shortly after the greatest delivery they could imagine in which the very walls of a strong city had crumbled before them, the people now questioned God’s motives. Even their ordained leader lay on his face asking God, “Why did you bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?”

After forty years of wandering the people had finally crossed the Jordan. God did a great miracle by stopping the river, during flood stage. This boosted the morale of Israel and demoralized the enemy. The enemy had already expressed fear of Israel and their God in the words of Rahab the harlot: “When we heard of [your conquests] our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God of heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11).

Their first campaign had been Jericho, one of the strongest defended cities of ancient Canaan. Rather than humanly besieging the city, they marched around the city once a day for six days then retired to their camp. On the seventh they walked around the city seven times blowing trumpets and shouting. Siege work was so difficult that it often took years to subdue a well defended and supplied city. A perimeter would be set up to keep out supplies and starve the city into either submission or a weakened state, for a costly assault. Not this time. God handed the city to Israel in a week. But how quickly people change when the situation changes.

Before assaulting their next target, Ai, Israel got proud. Spies reported they had no need of the whole people, only two or three thousand were needed. This force was dispatched but was quickly routed by the enemy. Now rather than asking what had prompted God’s punishment, they longed to be back on the other side of the Jordan (Joshua 7:7). We do the same thing in our own lives today.

We get wrapped up in situations and allow the moment to dictate our faith and feelings about God. When things go well, we feel warmly about God and his love for us. When things go wrong we quickly question God’s love and forget all the good things. God’s response to Joshua is something we need to hear, “Stand up! What are you doing on your face? Israel has sinned . . .” (Joshua 7:10f). Yes, it would be good if God would speak to us in this way and I don’t doubt that he can and that with some he does, but he can also speak to us through this story and his words to Joshua.

When the situations around us turn bad it is acceptable for people of faith to question our conduct and wonder if God is punishing us. If we find something, the situation can lead us to repentance.  The problem comes when we doubt God’s love and wallow in self-pity. Scripture tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ dies for us” (Romans 5:8). Paul goes on to tell us in Romans 8:38f that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Even when he punishes us it is as sons being corrected. God is not vindictive to his children; everything done is for their good—everything done is for our good. When you see the world pressing in, remember that his love will not falter and He will be there. He will permit things in your life to rebuke, to correct, to teach, or strengthen you. Rather than falling on your face in fear and trembling, fall on your face in awe that God loves and will never leave you. Keep in mind that you have something they did not have. You have God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, who came and died for you t rise again. Such apocalyptic love is all consuming and unwavering—never changing faltering. Rest in it and thank him for it. Express your love to him in the darkest moments and remind yourself of the good things He has done.

In reading the Pentateuch I was greatly blessed and decided to continue with the next historical book—Joshua. The movements of this Army and their responses to God’s commands say so much about what God had accomplished among the people. If you remember, shortly after leaving Egypt the people had complained about everything from lack of water to being sick of Manna without meat. They complained constantly right up the point they were to enter the land. Their lack of faith was evident in their response to the report of the spies, so God drove them into the desert to wander and die handing the promise to their children. Now, forty years later we meet the same nation, but a changed people. They have been fed by God for forty years and seen his provision over and over. As they come towards the land from a different direction God puts certain people’s into their hands and they conquer the lands northeast of the Jordan.

As they keep moving in obedience to God we see some amazing things. Their invasion force, including men, women and children, is not led by the infantry but by the ark of God. God’s presence must lead them into the land. As they progress we see another detail of who leads into battle. Those who had already been given land east of the Jordan—those already blessed by God—are to take the lead into the battle itself. This should speak to us today. When it comes to sacrifice and service, “who should act?” is answered by the question, “Whom has been blessed by God? We who have experienced the blessings of God in our lives should be the first to seek ways to pour these out on others.

In chapter 5 we see the people’s devotion exposed again. The children born in the desert had not been circumcised. Now the army was entering the field of battle, only a few miles from the enemy city, with no great terrain or river between them to stop an attack and the people stop to take flint knives and circumcise the entire army. The chapter says they stayed put until they had all healed. This procedure done on grown men would have left them in considerable pain and would have made defense very difficult—they were being left exposed to attack from a human standpoint. A cautious person would have put off circumcision until after they were secure.  Now this people who were unwilling to trust God to bring them into the land forty years before was willing to enter the land and right in the presence of the enemy put aside their ability to defend themselves, and do so in the name of God.

Of course we all know the praises for this people will not last. They will show their fallen natures before long, but to see their self-less obedience at this time is inspiring. They, whose parents crossed the Red Sea out of bondage, now crossed the Jordan into blessing. The desert lay between as a tool used by God to purify his people and prepare them for the blessings he was going to give them. So whether you find yourself in Egypt, in Sinai, in the desert, or crossing Jordan, keep walking in obedience of God’s Word.

Christmas, an important holiday in our country, has different meanings for different people. For retailers it mans sales and profits. For secular Americans it means family and warm feelings remembering Christmases of days gone by. For non-Christians it can be confusing as such spiritual significance is masked by materialism and greed.

Of course, for us who profess Christ, Christmas is a time to remember the greatest gift ever received—eternal salvation and cleansing from sin. We celebrate the babe in the manger, because he did not stay a babe. He grew to manhood and gave himself for our sins. For us, Christmas is a prelude to Easter.

Many Christians are concerned with the secular feeling of modern Christmas. There are calls to Keep Christ in Christmas. We often forget that it is only Christ’s people who can keep Christ in Christmas. The secular world, with its emphasis on Santa, reindeer and snowmen does not celebrate Christmas. Those who deny that Christ came in the flesh cannot celebrate the incarnation displayed in the events of Christmas. At best, such people celebrate a social holiday or a childhood recollection.

It is far more important how we as the church celebrate. Rather than following the world’s practices, overspending and rampant commercialism, let’s look for opportunities to share the gospel; to share the love of Christ, in spiritual and tangible ways.

People are far more willing to discuss Jesus and his message than at any other time of year. The babe in the manger does not frighten. The Jesus of Christmas is soft and cuddly—neither judging nor condemning. But Easter is coming. The babe swaddled in rags died on a cross and rose from the dead. He is seated at the right hand of majesty to rule and judge the world.

Look for opportunities this season to Keep Christ in Christmas. This includes far more than saying “Merry Christmas” in place of “Happy Holidays.” His people do this by sharing the meaning of the incarnation; what it means for us, and what it means for them. This year give the greatest gift you can—Jesus Christ: Savior, Redeemer, King, and Lord.

Have you considered what will be said about you after your death? Eulogies are an opportunity for family and friends to share impressions of your life. Great works are often inspired by the thought of being remembered and praised after death. We see this as a president nears the end of his time in office and questions arise about the legacy he’ll leave behind.  I remember one funeral that I did where no eulogy was offered by any of the family. This person had come to Christ late and had previously lived a hard, mean existence. None of the family had a single nice thing to say. Though it was good that this person had accepted the Lord it was sad imagining a life without praise. Other funerals left me thinking of eternity; this one left me thinking of life and how it’s lived.

Recently, after a brief moment of prayer, I found myself thinking again about life and what we leave behind. I had prayerfully said, “Lord, all I want out of life is to please you.” Immediately I felt a twinge of conscience and the thought came, “No, You are expending more effort building a life to please yourself than a life that pleases God.” I truly believe this thought came from the Lord to inspire me to refocus. This I am prayerfully doing. Though I do not expect this to change a great deal of what I am doing, it will shake up and realign my reasons for what I do and with that I expect a fresh energy in my life’s work.

If you find yourself wondering about the legacy you’ll leave behind, or the eulogy that will be spoken over your grave, I have the perfect one to hope for. Hopefully, when you pass on to the Lord those left behind will be inspired to say, “Your life brought honor to God.”

When discussing sin and righteousness the law quickly comes up. Many believe that one needs a certain amount of law to restrain sin and to bring to mind the consequences of disobedience. To imply that the law is no longer binding and has, as we are told in scripture, passed away inspires nightmares in the legalists among us. They imagine a church of no moral constraints and rampant debauchery.

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While studying for this Sunday I am reading Matthew 7:7-12. As I was reading about asking, seeking and knocking, a thought came to mind about the imperative mood used in commands. The imperative, of course, is the mood of command. The difference between “I go” and “Go!” is found in the imperative. Sometimes, in these studies I will look for quotes on Greek grammar to use in the message and this week a great thought came to me while looking at what Dana and Mantey had to say about the imperative mood.

“Where one will makes a direct, positive appeal to another the imperative finds its most characteristic use” (Dana and Mantey, p175).

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I was dumbfounded. For Wednesday Bible Study one older woman was dropped off weekly by her daughter. Bible study night, like most churches, is very informal and having moved to South Texas from colder climes I adopted the practice of wearing shorts and sandals for such times. I wear regular pants if the day includes a meeting or something where shorts are inappropriate, but I encourage those who come for Bible Study to make themselves comfortable, and I am a firm believer in doing what I encourage others to do. Read the rest of this entry »

The titles we give to God—Eternal God, Uncaused Cause, Unmoved First Mover, Loving Father—attempt to scratch the surface of an infinitesimally complex subject. Often they are the very cause of problems in our discussions. Because of nuance defining God in human words is bound to fail. We describe Him, but only in part. We speak of Him and his attributes but he escapes definition. The greatest barrier to defining God is transcendence. Regardless of being formed in His image, God is so different from us that our greatest efforts and deepest thoughts prove inadequate. Read the rest of this entry »

This week in my devotional times I’ve had a recurring theme. Starting in 1 Peter 2:16 I was struck by the command to: “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” In discussions, especially about politics, the idea of freedom is often the subject. As a free people who have never experienced slavery and as partisans who drove out the foreign tyrant over two hundred years ago, we often take our freedom for granted and misidentify what freedom means. To many freedom is the power to decide at all time and on all subjects. It is often seen as freedom from all outward direction. It is often assumed that when one’s life is lived truly free then it is lived for the individual alone, but this is the antithesis of biblical freedom. Read the rest of this entry »