09.28.09: Joshua 8 - 17

To be an American is to be a connoisseur of sales pitches. We can't go to the store or even answer the telephone without someone trying to sell us something. They keep coming because they know we're vulnerable--many people cave in to the salesperson's pressure.
Shortly into their campaign to take over Canaan, Israel falls prey to something very similar. The sales pitch that does them in come knocking door-to-door, the old-fashioned way. Observe their folly and learn from it.
Israel's leaders got fooled (Joshua 9:13-17). When they sampled these men's provisions, they saw that the bread was dry and moldy, the wineskin's cracked and the clothes and sandals worn-out. But they did not see through deception. After the promise had been made and the treaty ratified, the facts came out - Israel's leaders had been deceived. God had told Israel to make no treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan (Exodus 23:32; 34:12; Numbers 33:55; Deuteronomy 7:2; 20:17 - 18.) As a strategist, Joshua knew enough to talk to God before leading his troops into battle. But the peace treaty seemed innocent enough so Joshua and the leaders made this decision on their own. By failing to see God's guidance and wisdom and rushing ahead with their own plans, they had no deal with angry people and an awkward alliance.
Take the time and have courage, to consult God before making important decisions - especially when those decisions affect others. Read the Bible daily so that you will know what God wants.

"let the sun stand still over Gibeon,
and the moon over the valley of Aijalon." Joshua 10:12
How did the sun stand still? Of course, in relation to the earth the sun always stands still--it is the earth that travels around the sun. But the terminology used in Joshua should not cause us to doubt the miracle. After all, we are not confused when someone tells us the sun rises or sets. The point is that the day was prolonged, not that God used particular method to prolong it. Two explanations have been given for how this event occurred: 1. A slowing of the earth's normal rotation gave Joshua more time, as the original Hebrew language seems to indicate. 2. Some unusual refraction of the sun's rays gave additional hours of light. Regardless of God's chosen method, the Bible is clear that the day was prolonged by a miracle and that God's intervention turned the tide of battle of His people.

Notice how every Israelite victory, the text gives the credit to the Lord. All of Israels victories came from God. When we are successful, we may be tempted to take all the credit and glory as though we succeeded by ourselves, in our own strength. In reality, God gives us the victories, and he alone delivers us from our enemies. We should give him the credit and praise him for his goodness.

10:40-43. God had commanded Joshua to take the leadership in ridding the land of sin so, God's people could occupy it. Joshua did his part thoroughly--leading the united army to weaken the inhabitants. When God orders us to stop sinning, we must not pause to debate, consider the options, negotiate a compromise, or rationalize. Instead, like Joshua, our response must be swift and complete. We must be ruthless in avoiding relationships and activities that can lead us into sin.

The ongoing them in the book of Joshua seems to be obedience. It is repeated frequently, partly because obedience is one aspect of life that each individual believer can control. We can't always control our understand because we may not have all the facts. We can't control what other people do or how they treat us. However, we can control our choice to obey God. Whatever new challenges we may face, the Bible contains relevant instructions that we can choose to ignore or choose to follow.

11:18. The conquest of much of the land of Canaan seems to have happened quickly (we can read about it in one sitting), but it actually took seven years. We often expect quick changes in our lives and quick victories over sin. Our journey with God is a lifelong process, however, and the changes and victories may take time. It is easy to grow impatient with God and feel like giving up hope because things are moving too slowly. When we are close to a situation, it is difficult to see progress. But when we look back, we can see that God never stopped working.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change? Don't worry about how it would happen, whether its realistic or whether anyone would ever go for it--just dream. Imagine that it could happen. What would you change?
Much of what God wants done is theirs to do and their list of tasks lies before them like and agenda for change. But it means setting priorities.
Much of the Promised Land was unconquered at this point, but God's plan was to go ahead and include it in the divisions among the tribes. God's desire was that it would eventually be conquered by the Israelites. God knows the future, and as he leads you he already knows about the victories that lie ahead. But just as the Israelites still had to go to battle and fight, we must still face the trials and fight the battles of our unconquered land.
What are our unconquered lands? They may be overseas missionary territories, new languages in which to translate the Bible, new missionary areas in our neighborhoods, interest groups or institutions that need redemptive work, unchallenged public problems or ethical issues, unconfessed sin in our lives, or underdeveloped talents and resources. What territory has God given you to conquer? This territory is your "Promised Land." Our inheritance will be a new heaven and a new earth. (Revelation 21:1) if we fulfill the mission God has given us to do.

14:6-12. When Joshua gave Caleb his portion, it fulfilled a promise God had made to Caleb 45 years earlier. We expect such integrity and reliability from God, but do we expect the same from his followers? How about you? Is your word this reliable? Would you honor a 45-year old promise? God would--and does. Even today he is honoring promises he made thousands of years ago. In fact, some of his greatest promises are yet to be fulfilled. This gives us much to look forward to. Let your faith grow as you realize that God keeps his word.