Joshua 5:1-7:15 + Luke 15:1-32 + Psalm 81:1-16 + Proverbs 13:1
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Old Testament – Fascinating! verses today in Joshua chapter 5 verses 13 – 15 – “As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man facing him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am commander of the LORD’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for this is holy ground.” And Joshua did as he was told.” Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion says this about these verses – “The captain of the host was no mere angel. His presence was an appearance of Christ in person. Joshua worshipped the captain; his worship was accepted and he was neither rebuked nor instructed otherwise.” Whaddya think? Was this Jesus in these verses?? Bible.org’s commentary on “The Captain of the Lord’s Army” is at this link.
In Joshua chapter 6 we read about the fall of Jericho to the Israelites – but… things take a turn for the worse in chapter 7 with the defeat at the city of Ai. It is interesting to note why the defeat happened in Ai, in verse 1 – “But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the LORD.” Think about it. Israel just had a great victory at Jericho and then they were unfaithful toward God. I wonder if perhaps we are like this in our lives today as well? Maybe something amazing happens in our life, and we get so swept up in the victory dance that we forget about God. And yet… it is God who gave us that victory. It is God who gives us every good thing we have in our lives. Are we being unfaithful in our lives concerning things set apart for God? Below is an image for verses 2 & 3 as Joshua sends out some men to spy on Ai, before the defeat” “Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. When they returned, they told Joshua, “It’s a small town, and it won’t take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There’s no need for all of us to go there.””
Bible.org’s commentary on Joshua chapter 5 is at this link, chapter 6 is at this link, and chapter 7 is at this link.
New Testament – Beautiful verses today in Luke chapter 15 verses 8 through 10 – “”Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”” Do you believe that there was joy in the presence of God’s angels when you repented? Or… when you will repent? That is a beautiful thought indeed!
More beautiful verses today (22-24) as we read through the famous Prodigal Son story: “”But his father said to the servants, `Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
Bible.org’s commentary on our Luke chapter 15 readings today titled “Lost and Found” is at this link.
Psalms – I always like reading verses like 1 & 2 in Psalm 81 today – verses that speak of music & God – “Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Israel. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp.” Do you sing praises to God? Is God your strength? I’ll go off on a tangent here, which is always a risky thing to do… 🙂 I’ll admit that I am a music junkie. Really. I have loved music immensely ever since I was a pre-teen and heard K-TEL’s Hit Explosion with such songs as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” 🙂 Well, ever since then music has played an interesting role in my life – both positive and negative. Bottom line is that I think God used music to bring me to Him. Seven years ago I ended up at a rock & roll postmodern evangelical church where I really first heard songs about Jesus in a rock song! It was a paradigm shifter for me… I ended up accepting Jesus as my Lord & Savior at that church two months later – thanks in large part to an amazing pastor there at the time and thanks in large part to the rock & roll worship. I have to confess that I do love any opportunity I can get to flat out worship God in a rock & roll worship way! 🙂 I do realize the risks of high energy rock music… it can propel people to do very dumb things. But I think it can also propel people toward Jesus. Maybe music is like anything else – it’s a double edged sword. I will share with you that a buddy of mine shared with me how he threw out every single one of his worldly / secular rock & rap CD’s after becoming a Christian. He said he didn’t want to be fed by that garbage anymore. I tried following his lead on this – and actually threw a few CD’s in the trash… but I pulled them out before taking them to the dumpster. 🙂 I’m starting to think though that I have a few CD’s that need to get to that dumpster here sooner rather than later… I don’t listen to them. But why keep them around at all? Hope you don’t mind this long tangent. Does anyone else have any music / God experiences that you would be up for sharing with us all? Please post up in the Comments section below! (And please forgive me for this image below… I couldn’t resist… 🙂
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 13 verse 1 may at first glance seem to be speaking about young children – but… I believe it can definitely speak to how we also should respond to God, our heavenly Father – “A wise child accepts a parent’s discipline; a young mocker refuses to listen.” Are you a wise child of God accepting His discipline in your life?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Luke about the Prodigal Son reminds me of the Jeremy Camp song “Take You Back:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j33hBQKr_k
Have you run away from God? Click here to be taken back into His arms!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you have repented of your sins. Pray that you are evangelizing others you know to repent of their sins and turn to Jesus. Pray that the angels in heaven will rejoice over the lost you know being Found.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
(our Group Bible Study is below! : )
======= Ramona:
Joshua 5-7:15
Joshua 7: 10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant!
When is it the right time to pray? Obviously from this passage the time Joshua chose to pray was not the right time. When was the time? I believe they should have prayed before they went to attack the city of Ai.
Israel was handed a big victory, Jericho. They then assumed from that victory that they, not God, were the source and reason for their victory. I have been in the same predicament as Israel. I’ve experienced great victories in my walk and then I’ve assumed that God sanctioned everything I planned to do after that victory. Only problem I never checked with God until after my harebrain scheme failed.
Luke 15:1-32
31 “His father said to him, `Look, dear son, you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”
Prodigal means wasteful which is how the youngest son handled his inheritance; however, the oldest was also wasteful. He wasted the relationship he had with his father by not valuing what he had already been given, nor valuing the fellowship he maintained while his brother “lost.” He was wasteful because he focused on the minuscule amount of “money” spent on his brother’s celebratory feast instead of recognizing the enormous value in the double inheritance he also received when his younger brother left home. He was wasteful because he placed no value in enjoying what he had to focus on what his brother “took. “
Proverbs 13:1
I have this thing about self-control and discipline and it seems the writer of Proverbs does too. Without it opportunities slip out of our grasps because there are no boundaries to hold them in. Without the boundaries that discipline and self-control gives us, anything can go out (of our lives) and everything can come in. Proverbs 12:1, NLT, says “To learn you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.”
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= David:
It is interesting how Joshua goes directly on his face before God after their defeat. He doesn’t pout and moan he goes straight to God and God gives him an answer.
Sometimes when bad things happen, we get the PLOM (Poor Little Old Me) disease, when we should get on our face before God
He Has the Answers
Simper Fi!!
David
======= Anka:
“Israel has sinned… That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction”…still chewing on our part of the deal in getting God’s promises..Right now we too are at war…against our flesh and the devil but if we have sin in our lives we will be not “overcome the world”…the world is full of sin,if we’re not in it then we shouldn’t have any thing that belongs to the world yet is detestful to God(sin)…or else we’d be going into battle VERY poorly equiped(that’s putting it lightly)….
Does that mean shut ourselves in church and not reach out to the world…nope…reach out to the world as Jesus did but still remain Holy as he did…The spies went to Rahab’s place but didn’t defile themselves but brought her out.Rahab lived among the Israelities but I’m pretty sure she gave up her ways and took up God’s ways…
Music …yep it has a way of just worming in a certain message…good or bad…I was crazy about linkin park about 3-4 years ago…I actually identified with their lyrics too…then I found fun christian music and somehow secular music just died out of my life…now and again certain songs still do cause a stir but I get over them quickly..There are other areas in my life I still struggle with though…but as God showed the Israelities their enemies and said destroy them….God is telling me now….destroy your attitudes…
God bless you all
Anka
======= Shane:
The Commander of the Lord’s army is definitely Christ. Anything else would mean there was treason that day. The Commander, after all, accepted worship from Joshua. No *regular* angel does that (See Rev). But that’s not to say that Christ was incarnate, only that it was He who was there.
Here’s what I found most interesting in the reading: the representative principle motif of the Bible. Rahab helped the spies, and her whole family was spared. Achan sinned, and dozens died in battle. Furthermore, as we’ll read tomorrow, Achan’s whole family gets stoned because of Achan’s sin. Whenever Paul starts writing about how God is sovereign in salvation, people get in a tizzy. Yet when God demands that people are killed as a result of another’s sin, they seem to have no problem with it. Why? Aren’t the same objections present in both, for those who limit God’s sovereignty? The same goes for the inhabitants of Jericho. If you’ll notice, in our narrative all the way through Joshua we’ll see how the Israelites are to take no prisoners and leave no survivors. Why is it that people who balk at God’s sovereignty in the NT never blink at this sort of thing in the OT?
Along those same lines, in the NT we read today some incredibly encouraging words. Christ, the Shepherd, ensures the perpetual salvation of His sheep (*as the lost sheep is always a sheep, see John 10 for the significance). And how the Lord rejoices when a sinner comes home! Never did the prodigal lose his title as son, and as he approaches his father, it is joy that wins the day.
Shane
======= Emily:
Shane,
Destruction and killings of those foreign people is in accordance with their sins. Some of these foreigners had very depraved lifestlyes such as child sacrifices, temple prostitution, debauchery and corruption like Gomorrah and Sodom. It was just that these places were destroyed.
God knows the hearts of men. When God destroyed Gomorrah and Sodom he knew there wont be even 10 righteous people in the city. But when he sends Jonah into Nineveh He knew there were thousands of people who had fear of lord in their hearts and would repent.
Wrath of God will strike sin but God will bless repentence and righteousness.
Emily
======= Shane:
Emily, you can try to explain away the killing of Jericho’s inhabitants by their hearts being depraved. I agree.
But no such explanation can be made for Achan’s wife.
She got killed ‘cuz he got killed. Plain and simple. I’m not saying it’s wrong; indeed, it’s God’s will. What I am saying is this: nobody objects to it, but they’ll raise cain, so to speak, when talking about election. And isn’t what we see in this chapter God saying, “I’m giving victory to My people, and destroying those who are not My people.” And with Achan’s wife, God says, “I’m killing you because I’m holding you accountable for your husband’s sins.” Why is that cool, but election not??
Shane
======= John:
Shane,
We agree on “election/predestination”, so you will not see me rasing “cain” like you posted.
I can see how people would vary in their reactions to the situations of your post.
Most Christians when really questioned about it – would hold God is soverign in death. None of us are promised a day more than today. God decides our life span, and whether God is explicitly involved in “man’s” physical death – the day is set.
Some Christians might feel uncomfortable with God calling for immediate death as a judgment, as in these Joshua passages. But maybe that is the revealing nature of the passages – that He can and does control life, and there is a consequence to disobeying the “direct” commands of the Lord. Afterall, God could have just made people drop dead of apparent natural causes without saying a word to Joshua. but then people being people could rationalize it away, instead of recognizing the deaths for what they were – 460 years of rejection of God by the Canaanites (April 10th post), and disobediance by Achan (which I have not read about yet).
Achan’s family. They knew about the stolen items, and they knew the Lord’s command. Family could have talked him out of it, or turned him in. If the punishment had not been so severe, then perhaps it starts happening at every battle, and Israelites start stealing from each other, assaulting and murdering for precious items, etc. We don’t know the consequences of the punishment not being severe.
“Election” becomes another whole can of worms. While Christians can acknowledge God controls and is soverign over physical life and death. Eternal life becomes a contention point.
What I have heard from people who disbelieve the Doctrine of Election is bottom line: Man has the freewill to determine his salvation. That ultimately “Man” is the “straw that stirs the salvation drink”. God can draw you, God can warn you, God can want you, but ultimately it is “man’s” decision.
Forgetting Scripture for a moment. The above is hard for me to believe, since God has always had a perfect plan. If John Doe is desired and in God’s plan, yet John Doe rejects Jesus and dies – then God has to adapt his plan. Well, if the plan was perfect, any change would make it less than perfect. By thinking that man has that kind of power to affect God’s plan, one denigrates who God IS.
So, to sum up. One can have no problem with God’s soverignty over physical life and death, and yet can believe that eternal life is “man’s” choice, and thus get bothered with talk of soverignty in this area.
Personally, I would prefer to wait until after the Gospels to discuss this area of God’s soverignty. Since you brought it up in a comparison with today’s passages, I thought I might point out, right or wrong, why some people feel the way you described.
John
======= Shane:
John, I had just been having an email conversation with Emily regarding election, so it was on the brain when I was reading Joshua. Of course, it ties in with our Luke passages as well (I mean once you’re already thinking about it) regarding the security of the coin, the sheep and the son.
Nevertheless, I don’t normally wear my Calvinism on my sleeve, so I’ll leave it ’til about the middle of John.
Shane
======= Luch:
I don’t know about anyone else but I feel ‘tension’ when reading Joshua. As much as I want to ‘spiritualize’ what I read, I see a kind of ‘cleansing’ going on of the ‘evil people’ in the land. Under orders from the Lord of Hosts, Joshua and the Israelites move in with a severity that can’t even be matched in military circles today. I know I know that God is holy, just and sovereign. And I”m glad to see that He not only judged the people in Ai and Jericho, but He also judged His own people.
What makes me feel tension is that in reading Luke 15, we have Jesus teaching that the Father pursues and pursues until he finds the lost ones, and carries them home. Was ever a more beautiful picture written than the one of the Father and son embracing!!
For what I don’t fully understand in God’s dealings with the ‘world’ in Joshua, I always let Jesus have the last word in my understanding of how to connect to our/my world today. “You have heard that it was said, but I say to you….” Matt 5
As to music, I prefer we don’t legislate music ‘flavour’s. There is so much secular music these days that is leading people to ask good questions as to the meaning of life and death, maybe that music is like the ‘goads’ spoken of in ecclesiastes. I think the key is to listen with discernment. For example, I am 52 but my son has introduced me to a band called Death Band Cutie. When I listen to this music it takes me right into reality of how things really are in life, whereas sometimes some ‘Christian music’ actually misleads me (not all just some). I have found myself listening to Death band cutie and then ended up praying for people and young people I know who are living those lyrics. I guess one way forward is to practice the spiritual discipline of discernment, and not just react defensively and hideaway in our holy huddles. If Luke 15 teaches us anything it teaches us that the Father is forever pushing us out of our holy huddles towards a needy and hurting people.
Luch
======= Emily:
Luch,
If you consider how evil, evil can be you will be thankful to God for its destruction. Truman Capote’s book ”In cold blood” that I only read lately made me realize the reality of evil. It will also be a painful book for Christians since you will see a noble,hard working, loving Christian family mudered brutally in a single night of evil and crime. Consider also the massacres in Rawanda and Sierra Leonne (whole villages plundered, men butchered, women raped and killed in most brutal ways.) Evil knows no good or compassion that’s why God hates it. Satan will never repent that’s why he will be destroyed with all evil.
No doubt Father pursues and pursues as it is the good will of Father to save all the world. Yet, some men keep on running away from the commands of God towards darkness and evil. In the end they run out of their chances:
”Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors.” (Psalm 73:18)
By the way, for sure it sounds unfair to human judgement that evil still walks the earth with impunity. God has not turned His eyes from it. Only that its time has not yet come.
Emily
======= Kate:
As to the rock and roll music I am with you there. I think of that old song “Just give me that old time rock and roll”. As to whether you should throw it out, I think thats a personal decision, it depends on where your heart is or where it goes when you listen to it. Personally I would have trouble throwing out all of my secular stuff, course my secular stuff is the orginal cast of “My Fair Lady”. I love old musicals but then I love music period, it doesn’t matter what it is, I’ll even listen for a little while to country western, but not too long cause I’m a snob too. : ) But the thought that all the angels in heaven rejoice when I repent, WOW, that got to me. Then God would run to me and put a brand new robe on me and celebrate when I repent. That’s humbling, Thank you Jesus.
Kate
======= Sammy:
Regarding music and our approach to it, I honestly believe God likes all music…After all, he created it. It is so important that we realize that there is no such thing as secular or Christian music. Music is just music! Lyrics determine whether it is secular or Christian. So listen on to the music; just check out the lyrics…they’ll get you every time.
Sammy
======= Emily:
No doubt music is divine and all music is pleasing.
Though, just a strange thought struck me on the mention of music so many times… Satan was originally the chief musician in the God’s kingdom, well- versed in different kinds of musical instruments.
I wonder if this should serve as a warning not to be attracted to appealing music with ungodly lyrics ? It can also serve as an analogy, by the way.
Emily
======= Laura:
Emily: King David was also a music enthusiast. The book of Psalms contain many lyrics written by David. I believe that the book of Psalms offer a good preview of Christian music to come, and are some of our earliest Christian songs. Many Christian music artists today take their lyrics right out of Psalms and many other verses found in the bible.
Christian music does have a major impact on my life. I’ve promoted Christian music concerts at our church before. We invited Mitch McVicker to come once and were very blessed to have him. Some of you have probably heard of Rich Mullins, right? Well McVicker traveled with Rich and was his drummer. Mitch was in the SUV when Rich Mullins died in that accident many years ago. Mitch tours with another guy and they are very good. Mitch McVicker suffered a coma due to the accident and gives an amazing testimony when he sings. I helped arrange for Mitch to play at the Spirit West Coast music festival in Monterey CA back in 1999. I got to meet his family who came out to see him and take vacation. I love going to the music festival and have attended many of them. If anyone is out in Ca from August 3rd to 5th this year, I encourage you to check it out. It would be a good vacation get away. I think I might of mentioned this before in another post. Spirt West Coast Concert dates are May 26-28 in Del Mar (southern Ca) And in Monterey (Central Coast, northern) posted above in August. Music concerts appear all over the United States and in other parts of the world as well. There are Christian music cruises such as the one in the Mexican Riviera. I’m not a promoter for them, so don’t get me wrong. I believe that a lot of people come to Christ, as Mike said through concerts and Christian events such as these. Some of those people would never darken the doors of a church. If events such as these, get people to church, it has to be a good thing.
I promoted a youth concert that was lots of fun. We had the band Switchfoot play. They are surfers from southern Ca and are pastors son. Great group of guys.
Good study in Joshua today, I had forgotten about the part of Joshua encountering the angel who some believe was the Lord. Very neat stuff. Enjoyed todays reading. Blessings….
Laura
======= Jan:
In regard to music: I have lots of secular lyrics/music…some just intrumental movie soundtracks (mostly about flying). I have some CD’s by Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Celine Deon; Nat King Cole & lots of beautiful worship & praise music. AND…I will tell you this…the lyrics to 99.9% of secular music that I listen to brings no life at all. After I listen to it for a while…I have to stop listening to it & go back to Words of Life. It is all about what we put in our “ear” & “eye” gates…the pride of life & the lust of the eye that will tempt & get us every time. I watch less TV than I have in all my life & read more books (Christian nonfiction material) & read the Word daily. I can only listen to secular lyrics for so long & then the Holy Spirit woos me back to the “truth” & I leave the world behind once again.
Jan
======= John:
Music
I was raised on Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, and Beatles. Pre-salvation never collected music or listened to it at home – just on radio at various times, or in nightclubs.
Currently, I have just a few CD’s, and all of them are arrangements of hymns with very few exceptions. I have grown to like that music since being saved. Could NOT stand it – Pre-salvation.
My only concern about modern Christian music is when the music (loudness)overcomes the lyrics, and when it becomes a “show” instead of worship.
I understand that contemporary Christian music is a draw to youth and appealing to a segment of Christianity in general, and that most often the lyrics are straight from scripture. If someone is saved at a concert or at a service where it is “showtime” I often wonder whether it was the emotion of the music (or moment) or a true “turning back to the Lord” and repenting of sins. However that is not my call, and in the end it is between God and that person.
For me, occassionally listening to CD’s at home, singing mostly traditional hymns at Worship, and listening to hymns on traditional Christian radio network are my diet of music. As to CCM, I just pray that it can be used to glorify God.
John
======= Becky:
Josh MacDowell’s book, “Evidence That Demands a Verdict,” was the one that made me make up my mind and become a believer.
Becky
======= Pat:
Mike, let me share a true story with you that may explain why you haven’t thrown out the CD’s. When I was in college, I went with my Mom and Dad to a party given by one of their good friends Vic. Years before Vic had told me that he was an alcoholic and hadn’t had a drink in years. I was surprised to see an unopened fifth of Kentucky bourdon sitting in the center of his mantle in the living room and just kept staring at it. Vic came over and explained that it had been nearly 20 years since he had consumed any form of alcohol. He placed the unopened bottle on the mantle the day he stopped drinking and it had stayed there unopened ever since. He said that every time he looked at it he thanked God for opening the door of his heart and throwing out his addiction. This really made an impression on me! I’m now nearly 65 and still tear up when I think about the great message that God used Vic to deliver to me as a young college student. Vic was buried with that bottle and his faithful Bible in the coffin with him and everyone at the funeral was deeply touched and in tears as the minister explained the meaning of them during the service. Maybe having the CD’s in the house but not listening to them is your way of dealing with and accepting how God has changed your life. Why not display one where you can see it and every time you look at it do as Vic did – lift the Lord up in praise and thank Him for coming into your heart and changing your lifestyle?
God Bless!
Pat
======== Birdie:
OT: You would think that after all the Israelites had been through that they would not be in such a hurry to disobey God. But, I guess since man is born with a sinful nature greed had to come out. Now even though in our story there was just one man who had stolen something, everyone was going to suffer. Often when one person sins, they (or we) don’t think anyone else will suffer, or even know. It doesn’t work that way. It’s almost like a pebble thrown into the water. The ripples just keep flowing outward.
Birdie
======= Pat:
Luke 16:9 “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
This verse has been on my mind for the past two hours. My Mom and Dad were so different! Mom would always say, “The Bible says neither a lender nor a borrower be.” And she lived by that rule. Dad would smile and say, “I think God intends for us to help our friends” and he was always there for anyone who had a need. Now Dad had a rule – don’t lend anything that you couldn’t live without if it wasn’t repaid. If the borrower doesn’t repay you in due time then shake his hand and let him know that you intended that loan as a gift and he can consider it paid in full. Then he said that you needed to wipe the slate clean and forget that the loan/gift even existed.
When Mom died the funeral home was packed but when Dad died there was a line outside that stretched clear around the block. People we had never seen before from all over the state came and told us of how Dad had helped them during a hard time. Dad never mentioned what he did for anyone – didn’t even tell my Mom. My sister and I both truly loved our Mom but we adored my Dad, and we have tried to live our lives by Dad’s philosophy. Mom was a successful career lady and a community and state leader who was proud of her achievements and enjoyed a more formal life. Dad owned his own business but never talked about it and he was quiet, laid back, loved the beauty of nature and loved to make others laugh. They both have a place now in God’s Kingdom because they both accepted and loved Christ dearly and I know Christ loved both of them even though they were as different as night and day.
Dad never quoted Scripture to us like Mom did, and it was not until this morning that I discovered the Scripture that Dad lived his life by. What a joyous discovery this has been. Praise the Lord!!!!!
God Bless,
Pat
======= Jenny:
Joshua is a great book. I definitely believe it was Jesus because anytime a man fell down in worship to an angel, he was rebuked, but by His acceptance of worship, it shows He was the One who is worthy of worship.
Josh. 7:10 kinda made me laugh, “So the LORD said to Joshua: ‘Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?’”
The story goes to show sin in never hidden, not from the eyes of God! Look how it affected the innocent ppl. I notice this is my life too, after a victory, perhaps I do something wrong, get my eyes off the Lord and its followed by a huge defeat and I fall to the ground, why Lord? So what’s the remedy? God commands: Get up, sanctify yourself, get rid of the sin/disobedience in your life, forsake it. Then move on.
In Luke :“This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” This is interesting because in those days, when you ate with ppl, it was an intimate fellowship; you touched the same thing, kinda shared each others “cooties”. To partake in a meal together was a symbol of being one, taking in part of each other. What I touch and you eat, becomes part of you and what you’ve touched and I eat, becomes part of me. So eating meals together signified a becoming of “one” with each other in those days. That is why these religious guys got so bent out of shape with Jesus…they saw Him as becoming one with “sinners”.
There is definitely joy in heaven when someone repents. I’ve had the blessing of going to a Big tent revival at my church for the past few weeks, great guest speakers and sooo many people getting saved! My Pastor said after dozens of ppl got saved last night, ‘man, the angels rejoice when one person gets saved, can you imagine the party they are having now!!’ =)
We could all feel it too! The joy of seeing someone get saved never gets old. Its sooo beautiful! Tonight too, many came to Christ, it was sooooooo wonderful! it just brings you to tears!
The Prodigal son. This guy takes off, lets say to a Vegas like city, and looses everything. So many ppl make poor decisions and find themselves in such miserable conditions, strung out, homeless, ruined lives! So this guy was reduced to eating pig slop! He could have stayed there, but it says he “came to his senses” and went back to his father (of course symbolic for the person who strays from the Lord and come back).
“But when he was still a great way off his father saw him…” sounds to me like the father was expecting his son to return. He knew his son was making a bad move and knew he’d suffer the consequences. I bet you he was watching, waiting expectedly.
“[the father] ran and fell on his neck and kissed him” He didn’t stand there and wait, he didn’t walk…he lifted up his robe and ran to him!!! This is like our Lord, when we return, God runs to us!!! He never rejects us, but when we return, He runs to us, embraces us, forgives us! He rejoices! He loves us so much!!
“Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.” Sounds like his father didn’t mind that the son was probly dirty, smelly and smelled like pigs. Just like us, wen we repent and return, God runs, welcomes us back, and takes us as we are before He cleans us up!
Notice the older brother was jealous, bitter….I haven’t sinned, why are you blessing him? What about me? Talk about a pity party…sounds just like me! I know its awful, but I admit, when I see someone who blew it, come back, yes I’m happy, but then I see they look better off then me. How come he’s blessed and rewarded for running off and screwing up when I have been faithful all along? God has dealt/deals with me regarding that. Like in John 21, when Peter complained to Jesus about John, ‘What about him?’ Jesus answered: what is that to you? You follow Me!” (v. 22.) Can’t tell you how many times God has spoken that to me!
I could go off on a music tangent too. I’m a huuuuge music fan! I gave it to God. He will deal with it over time. I struggled with not listening to secular music for yrs, but I felt restricted, I didn’t feel free in Christ. I monitored wat I listened to of course…and God shows me the thoughts that go in my mind when I listen to bad music, thoughts of self pity or anger…they all take my eyes off Christ…and shows me the consequences, but lovingly.
I pretty much only listen to Christian music now, not because I tossed my cds and am too holy for secular music, but I gradually am just changing, I have a heart now that just wants to meditate on the Lord, worship Him.
I know some ppl think if its rock, even Christian, its bad. My dad is like that…if it has “a beat” it must be bad. But I can tell you, one of the best concerts I ever went to was Kutless and we rocked out hard!!! and worshipped the Lord, it was amazing! God was soooo there, it was amazing!!!
Ps. 81:12-16 really stood out for me!
Some books I have heard were great: the Case for Christ, Mere Christianity, the Purpose Driven Life (tho I think the author is going off in the deep end now…so don’t know, but good solid Christians have said the book is good.). I know Greg Laurie has some great books directed toward seekers, but cant think of any off the top of my head.
Jenny
======= Tim:
The levites could receive tithes because they had no increase, but had to trust God for their inheritance. The other Israelites gave tithes because they had an inheritance, but had to trust God for an increase. Today, the “laymen” still have to give a tithe and still trust God for their increase, but the “church staff” receives the tithe and takes inheritances among the people. Somehow our leaders have taken the doctrine of tithing and fit it into the gospel the comfortably fits their circumstances.
The NT way of giving is supposed to be only by freewill offerings, because we all are priests, and are only wandering in a wilderness waiting to cross the Jordon to receive our eternal inheritance. While in the wildreness, Israel only gave freewill offerings. they did not give the tithe until they crossed the jordon and entered the promised land. So it would make sense that as God’s chosen people we give our offerings freely and cheerfully, and then when we receive our eternal inheritance in heaven of jewels and crowns then we throw them at the high priests feet.
Tim
======= Julie:
I wanted to thank you for posting the links to Bible.org’s site. Joshua 7 spoke to me & cut me to the core today & that link opened my eyes to a mystery I have been trying to solve.
I had to repent of something I had no idea that I, too, had carried away with me from a victory that I shouldn’t have & then boasted about ‘it’ instead of the victory that God gave me. I have been caught up in the happiness of what I possessed instead of the reason I got it. I had made it my idol & didn’t realize it. So therefore I have placed it far away from me.
I wondered what was wrong in my life in the past months because something just hasn’t been well with my spirit & have prayed for insight to show me. Thank you for being a vessel for which it was brought before me!
Keep up the good work here.
Julie
======= Lori:
I too am a music junkie. Except for opera, I used tolisten to everything. My youth pastor used to say there were three kinds of music, good, bad, and the best, and the good was the enemy of the best. I didn’t get it until I was much older and I heard my own small child sing some horrible music lyrics innocently while playing. Now, there are a lot of really good christian radio stations available to listen to. About 4 years ago I decided I was not going to listen to secular music any more. I committed myself to listening only to the best and I have been so blessed. I had not realized how many ugly messages and lies I had floating around in my head until the truth replaced them. Now when I hear worldly music lyrics, like in an office, I cringe at the message the lyrics are feeding people’s souls. Praise God for christian musicians and radio stations, Praise God for the true Rock that sings in my heart.
Lori
======= Rachel:
I grew up listening to Christian music. Of course I picked up bits of secular music here and there, but for the most part I was only allowed to listen to Christian music. When I started college a couple years ago I started listening to all kinds of secular music because I was on my own and could do what I wanted. I became addicted to gothic music (various genres including rock, metal, electronic, industrial, etc.) and it started dictating my life. I always had music playing in my head, and most of the time it contributed to me being depressed. This past week I re-dedicated my life to Jesus and my desire for that kind of music is gone! I’ve been listening to a lot of music that I used to listen to in church as a kid and it’s done so much to lift my spirits. I’ve never really been into much Christian rock, because as my mom says, “it’s too close to secular music.” But I do understand how that kind of music could be beneficial for some people for the same reason.
Rachel
======= Barb:
IMHO when I read about people separating themselves from secular music it reminds me too much of the Pharisees, separating themselves as the clean from the unclean. As Christians we need to hear other people’s stories and listen to their hearts, patterning our ways after Jesus, who always wanted to get down to the heart of the matter. And music is an expression of where an artist’s heart is at.
Barb
======= Tom:
I have to say I had a somewhat similar experience to Mike when I discovered a (hyper)charismatic church in my 20s and found it so much more lively and enjoyable than the “dull” boring staid Methodism I was used to. However, 30 years on and a lot of other churches since, I’ve changed my mind on it. I too really love “boppy” music and the louder/faster the better, but when I came across a song with a tune I adored but lyrics of “Yay God” I just thought – if you were to meet God face to face there’s just NO way you’d turn to him and say “Yay God”, and that was when I changed my attitude. I do still enjoy some faster beats but the lyrics are now much more important to me. I no longer want to sing songs that sound so secular you can’t tell the difference (& I enjoy many secular songs), nor do I want “soppy love songs” – I want songs about GOD, not about me, and I think we need to remember just Who our Awesome God truly Is – worship Him in SPirit and Truth, not rock & roll :)).
Tom
======= TJ:
This is my first comment to your blog, but I wanted to let you know how much I apprecaite it. It is becoming a part of my normal morning routine as I dedicate the first portion of my day to Him!
I wanted to suggest to your readers that if they would like an awesome exposee on the power of the Prodigal Son story, I would strongly suggest ‘The Prodigal God’ by Timmothy Keller. This provides so much depth to the story and places the roles of each player in the story in such a great perspective. According to Keller, the story is as much about the older brother than the younger. As Crhistians, many times we become like the older brother, waiting outside the tent and stubbornly refusing to enter.
Read the book (or download and listen to it on your IPod like I did) to get more!!!
TJ
======= Jill:
I too would highly recommend and encourage all who come to the one year bible blog to search our Tim Keller’s book, Prodigal God.
God has used this little book to make a BIG impact on my life and thinking. I will never read the story of the Prodigal son again without seeing the richness of what Jesus was teaching to the Pharasies,
Blessings to each of you who come here.
Jill
======= Luch:
I live in Ontario Canada, but really appreciate that I can access this blog from wherever I am. For instance, today I am in southern Florida resting and working, and am enjoying these readings under the beauty of Florida’s sunshine.
Luch
======== Teriann:
I must say that this blog just gets better and better as more people join in! One of my favorite things in reading the One Year Bible is when I see a theme running thru all four passages. Today as I read Proverbs13:1 “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction” a theme emerged. This is what Joshua should have done BEFORE attacking Ai. It’s what the older brother should have done when the father came out to him and pleaded with him to come in and join the party and what the pharisees who were listening to the parable should have done as well. It’s what the Israelites should have done (see Ps. 81:11, “But My people would not listen to Me.”) Heeding has two parts, first we have to seek the instruction and learn just what our Father wants us to do and then we have to actually DO it. I have failed at times in both areas. Like Joshua, sometimes the problem comes from acting on presumption without seeking God first. Other times, like the older brother, I just don’t like the instruction I receive. Either way I’m doomed to failure. So the word for me today is HEED THE FATHER.
Teriann
======= Robert:
Excellent post as always. I enjoy reading this as well as the comments daily. Thank you!
Robert
======= Beverly:
You asked about music and our walk of faith. Like you I have always loved music and there was a time in my life that I spent time at the bar and living a life totally unpleasing to God. During that time I listened to a lot of country music. There was a lot of drinkin’ and cheatin’ songs. When I came back to the Lord I wanted to make sure that I never went back to that life again. I was introduced to Southern Gospel and it was a wonderful experience. Now the music lifted me up and didn’t remind me of the past.
I never felt like it was a sin to listen to country or to rock music but it didn’t give me the lift that gospel music did. I think that being legalistic about music is not the right approach any more that it is right in any area of our lives. It is just that the right thing is better. We are learning that from the reading of Proverbs.
Beverly
======= Al:
Mike,
I also have a broad music background, secular and Christian. I am 69 years old and tend to favor more traditional and classical music, especially hymns of the church, although I have enjoyed many forms of music, incuding rock and the links you include in your blog.
The following link is to a ceremony of the birth of JS Bach about 300 years ago. There is some very interesting information, including the severe hardships he experienced and that Bach signed all his music ‘to the Glory of God.’
The link will also open a performance of one of his many great Christian works. Please use better speakers, phones, adjust the volume and enjoy.
Praise the Lord!
Al
======= Will:
Ramona, I loved your comment in response to Joshua’s question in 5:13 and, “Neither,” from 14: “We Believers have this bad habit of bullying our way through things and past people claiming God is on our side, but this seems to say, “Stop! Not so fast, I’m on the side of Truth. It is presumptuous of us to believe that because we are Christians everything we do is “Righteous.” Thanks for this comment, I’m afraid it rings too true in my life, as did your words about praying BEFORE I jump out in something, rather than after!
Something that I thought about for the first time, as the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, was that is was ironic that Rahab’s home was in those very walls (Josh 2:15) yet her home and all those in it were protected and brought out.
Thanks, Mike, for this blog!
Will
======= Johan:
Once a week i get mails with other christian books which i also love to read. but today I would like to recomend a book with the today storie of luke. http://www.amazon.com/Return-Prodigal-Son-Story-Homecoming/dp/0385473079
it’s a beutifull book which is a must read.
I had expected the painting of rembrent today with the prodigal son. I love it because it because if you look closely you can see that the father god a male and a female hand. (which i think is a very important detail also in with the real father.)
Johan
===== Reuben:
I tried to destroy my record collection when I was in high school. I found out that those vinyl records were literally much tougher to break than I thought! Those movies where (like It’s A Wonderful Life) where you see someone bust up a record like nothing? Bogus.
Reuben
======= LaRhonda:
I love to sing praises to God and am on the worship team at my church. I have learned to steer clear of the music I once loved dearly because I am single and the music makes me reminiscent and my mind wander. I love the Love Songs of the 70’s and have many memories associated with
them. For now I listen to worship to God only…not to an invisible lover!
LaRhonda
======= Terri:
I love listening to Christian music now! I tried to post something yesterday about KLOVE but it wouldn’t let me for some reason!?!? I only listen to KLOVE or another Christian channel called THE WAY!! They play more Christian “rock” and I prefer that sometimes but I do love praising God in my truck while I am driving somewhere!! It helps me to stay focused on what is most important in this life (which is God)!!
Thanks for this blog, Mike and to you also Ramona! I learn so much by reading both of your comments!! On my 3rd year with you guys! Hoping to be doing this for as long as I live!!
Terri
======= Tammy:
I love music also and there are several songs that have become life songs for me and my christian walk. The biggest life changing song for me is Casting Crowns “The Voice of Truth”. When it came out I knew that I was gonna have to get out of the boat I was in someday and walk on faith. Well, that is what I am doing now. I actually love all kinds of music and like you I try to listen only to christian music but I still have my 80’s music around that I pop in every now and then. I also have a daughter that will change my radio station in a heartbeat. So I get to hear Justin Bieber, Adele and current artists because of her. She also listens to Christian music and thankfully there are some that we both agree on and listen to.
I will tell you one funny story since you are a rocker : ) My daughter loves Toby Mac (me too) and wanted to see him in concert. So as a surprise for a good report card and birthday combined I got the two of us tickets to see Toby Mac and Skillet(a christian rock group). I actually splurged and got the stand up tickets at the stage. Well, needless to say I had never seen Skillet before and had only heard one or two of their songS. When they came out, Wow what a surprise for this mom. I actually thought I had taken my child to see some corrupt band. Once I got over the initial shock and listened to the words I was ok and then when John Cooper spoke to the audience about God and Christian living, my fears were totally calmed. With that said, my daughter and I have now seen Skillet 3 times in concert and we share their CD’s in my car and on our ipods. Yes, I rock it out too sometimes even Praising My God while banging my head. I thank God for the gift of music and can’t wait till join that mighty choir in heaven. Just think how awesome that will be. Everytime I read a Psalm with the instructin “to the choir director” at the beginning a find myself wondering just what that song sounded like. Do you think their music evolve thru the ages like ours does?
Once again, thanks for the blog. I totally enjoy it and I think it has helped motivate me to keep this up this year.
Tammy
======= Doug:
Mike
Over the years I collected over 100 record albums of country music,the 33 1/3 records and several boxes of cassetts and I dumped them all. Today I listen to Moody network music or southern gospel radio and am blessed by the music instead of filling my mind with songs that do not honor God.
I love to follow the one year Bible reading and like the Bible.org commentaries.
Thanks Mike
Doug
======= Robert:
Joshua 5and 6: Joshua fit the battle of Jericho; explain this to a first time reader. It is pretty visual stuff and I gotta say a bit weird. The circumcision bit is like – ouch and why does God do this before battle – wound the army so they are basically incapacitated! Now that is trust. Then God takes away their food! Weakening the army more! Ok now we have to rely on faith if this next thing is going to happen. Walk around the wall for 7 days and the walls will fall down. Right? A miracle? Ok, it gets more interesting because we want to save the prostitute Rehab and her family but destroy everything else! Oh, except for the gold, I want that for myself! Then curse the site so no one ever uses it again. Do you really want to ride with this Commander of the Lord’s Army?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ro4ThqkboII
Robert
======= Lauren:
I love that visual in verses 13-15. Joshua says in other words do I know you? Then he realizes it’s God and falls to his knees. Do we have God moments like that? Do we fall to our knees? Sometimes we get to our end. God is always there when we fall to our knees to pick us up! I love this! God never drifts away from us and can’t because He is always there! Our branches just need to bear fruit!
Also in Luke Jesus is rejoices in each lost sheep,who come to him. The illustrations he uses are so relevant in sharing the word with others. How many sheep.have we brought back?
Mike I’m a music junkie too. I grew up with classic rock . To me it was therapy. I also sang in a Christian gospel band for one year when I was a teenager. I love diversified music and I believe God is ok with this. I find the music now is very degrading with curse words or if they lean toward satanic words I don’t approve but reg classic rock is still cool. Trust I’m all for Gods worship music and Love it!!! I think it’s a personal conviction thing! Each person knows in his heart what’s right for them!
Lauren
======= Joyce:
Mike and everyone,
Luke 15:20,31,32 (Amplified Bible)
20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].
31 And the father said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 But it was fitting to make merry, to revel and feast and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!
What a precious reminder that this is our Father’s heart for each sinner, and even each believer who has wandered off far from Him.
Father, please give us Your heart of compassion, of loving-kindness,
that we may lovingly, patiently, and diligently bring more people back to you. pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Gratefully,
Joyce
======= Rita:
I really liked what you wrote on music today and that little pic you posted. I can relate to your story especially that I’ve always been a rock music fan and I can say music is a double-edged sword just like everything else. Wisdom is key in this matter; for instance, I don’t listen to the same bands I used to listen to before, but I still listen to music and I love praising at church, in my car, at home…
Rita
======= Judie:
God help us. If Satan doesn’t get us through some of this music, then he sure will through TV. I cannot believe what is allowed to be viewed on TV. I don’t know how many times I had hope that a new sitcom would be something I would enjoy watching. I have not found any that can’t make it half way through the program without someone needing sex. My husband and I look at each other and just shake our heads. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but when I do, I watch the news, some sports with my husband, some talent shows, and my two favorite shows which I record: Sunday Morning, and Live PD. Ah, there is some justice in this world! Sometimes when I am sewing or crocheting, there is a wonderful Christian channel that I watch when I am downstairs. I have enjoyed it so much because there are so many people that come together to worship the Lord.
I just get so upset with the programming on TV and that so many people, especially young people think that this is the way that the world is and that it is acceptable.
One more thing to vent about. I read an interview about one of the top female recording artists who always gathers her people and they get in a circle and pray before performing. But then, when I think of how she dresses, how she moves, and what she sings about, all I could think of was, “would you actually invite Jesus to one of your performances? Do you think He would approve of how you are acting on stage?” I was too embarrassed to watch. Heaven help us. We are indeed living in the end times. Let’s keep walking down that narrow road. Unfortunately, although it is very narrow, it doesn’t seem to be too crowded right now.
Judie
======= Liz:
In the late 70’s or early ‘80’s, we were also encouraged to destroy all music that was not about God or Jesus. With some friends, we burned our albums. We felt both holier (than thou) and remorseful. Thinking back, I really don’t think my Carole King Tapestry or my Best of Bread Albums we’re anti-Christ. LOL! I am picky whose and what music I listen to, but listening to music is no different than drinking lemonade. Lemonade cannot be made holy. It is what you allow to speak to you and if you are always aware of that, the Spirit will let you know if it is not God honoring. I do try to eliminate the music of Jesus haters, demon worshippers, etc. as I do not want to support people, even if it is a “good” song, who openly reject or dishonor God. Of course, I don’t know about most, but when I am made aware, I see it as a warning from the Spirit. I like music from all different venues, from Opera & Jazz to country and hip-hop. Well, maybe one or two songs from Hip-hop. LOL! I like instrumental, a capella, choirs, rock bands, musicals, steel drums, and barbershop quartets. I appreciate gifted artists. A lot of what is called worship music does not stir me, and a lot of the contemporary Christian music, sounds all the same, but songs like Above All or Be Still My Soul and others, absolutely reach my soul. I didn’t realize that you have only been a Christian for seven years. You must have a good discipler. I have recommended OYBB to many as I live how you attach a music video to every day. I notice that this year it is mostly the acoustical versions. Yes, we notice. Thank you for what you do.
Liz
======= Dee:
Hi Mike,
The first part of Joshua today when he asked him if he was the captain: for him or against him? He said neither and take off sandals..reminded me of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush..
Then the issue with Ai..and not putting God’s interest as sacred and pure and they paid the price. We do that when we r running the race and take eyes off prize. Eternal salvation. Jesus..hope, grace..all these things ..when we move our focal point we slip and the devil attacks
Luke..I love the prodigal son story. Once was lost now is found..new creation. This wasn’t the son that he once was. Amazing!
Psalm and I love your rants Mike. I love music of all kinds. I still believe I have cassette tapes upstairs. Not sure what to do with them but I believe I have them. Lol
Dee
======= Ramona:
Mike,
“The captain of the host was no mere angel. His presence was an appearance of Christ in person. Joshua worshipped the captain; his worship was accepted and he was neither rebuked nor instructed otherwise.” Whaddya think? Was this Jesus in these verses?? (Ramona, I’m counting on you for this one! : )
Well I’m just going to answer you with scripture from Revelation,
Rev 9:10-12 (AMP)
10 Then I fell prostrate at his feet to worship (to pay divine honors) to him, but he [restrained me] and said, Refrain! [You must not do that!] I am [only] another servant with you and your brethren who have [accepted and hold] the testimony borne by Jesus. Worship God! For the substance (essence) of the truth revealed by Jesus is the spirit of all prophecy [the vital breath, the inspiration of all inspired preaching and interpretation of the divine will and purpose, including both mine and yours].
11 After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness).
12 His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand.
See also: Rev. 19:14; and 19:21
Of course the one Joshua sees is JC (Jesus the Christ) and I think he is seeing Him in His Second Coming as the One riding on the write horse, the one coming with a sword in his mouth (Folks its figurative).
What is really jumping out at me is the passage is the fourteen verse where the Captain states on the question of friend or foe, 14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am commander of the LORD’s army.”
Us Christians, we Believers have this bad habit of bullying our way through things and past people claiming God is own our side, but this seems to say, “Stop! Not so fast, I’m on the side of Truth. It is presumptuous of us to believe that because we are Christians everything we do is “Righteous.” If we are wrong and trying to push our own agenda, then we are dreamers and or false prophets!
The pastor of the church I delivered a “Bad Report” to the congregation about two months ago. It seems that the sheer size and number of our congregation (22,000) was going over to a well known franchised restaurant whose name has a crustacean in its title and demanding to be seated in front of everyone else waiting because after all we are member of CCC (Christian C. Center), giving a very bad taste in the mouth of non-believers and painting the members as being arrogant, which the ones demanding their way were surly are. As Christians we are supposed to be a fragrance not an odor.
I may not be able to come back tonight to work on the rest of the readings because I will be taking a writing class on Tuesday evenings. I’ve thought about writing up my comments for this Blog as my assignments because the class I’m taking is, Writing “Creative” Non-Fiction,” or work on some of the things I’ve already written up and need to flesh out, hmmm
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Vance:
Joshua 5 (NKJV)
5
For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised.
6
For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the LORD—to whom the LORD swore that He would not show them the land which the LORD had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”
7
Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way.
8
So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed.
9
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal [ Literally Rolling ] to this day.
NOTE:
There is so much meaning in circumcision.
1. FIRST POINT:
God told Abraham that He would give him a son, a son from his own loins. When Abraham, with an honest heart, asked God to answer the question “How will I know” — God did not take offense. God answered His question.
HOW DID GOD ANSWER HIS QUESTION? (See Genesis 15)
a.
God asked Abraham to cut up animals in half and wait.
b.
A smoking firepot passed in between the cut pieces.
(The smoking firepot was a theophany — a physicial representation of the living, true, invisible God whom no man can see with human eyes and live).
What does that have to do with circumcision?
Because circumcision is not only a cutting away of what is not wanted. It is also a very solemn blood covenant. God, in effect, was saying, “May what happened to these animals –death — happen to me if I do not keep My terms of the covenant.”
Look at how God views blood covenant, in Jeremiah 34 (Amplified):
18
And the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not kept the terms of the covenant or solemn pledge which they had made before Me, I will make them [like] the [sacrificial] calf which they cut in two and then passed between its separated parts [solemnizing their pledge to Me]–I will make those men the calf!
~~~
2. SECOND POINT
Notice that God in Christ Himself took this a step further.
NOTE: Since Jesus claimed that He is God by saying “I and the Father are one”, some people could ERRONEOUSLY say that God must have failed His promise to Abraham, and that is why Jesus died.
NOT SO!
In fact, the COMPLETE OPPOSITE is true! Jesus is the SUPREME EVIDENCE that God does, in fact, keep His word!
Jesus takes circumcision even further.
In Genesis 15, not only did God love us enough to walk in between the pieces of cut animals and bind mankind forever to Him in His love by showing His determination to bless the world through His people.
On the Cross, God INCLUDED YOU AND ME in circumcision. We were never able to “cut away” sin from ourselves or to truly separate ourselves from sin. As much as I tremendously respect the fasting and prayer of God-fearing people such as sincere and faithful adherents to Islam or any other faith belief… these things can NEVER save anyone from sin.
Only Jesus can save us! Look at what God did through Jesus FOR US on the Cross! THIS IS AMAZING!
Colossians 2 (NKJV)
11
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST,
12
buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
13
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it, [i.e., the cross]
DID YOU SEE THAT? Verse 11 is SO AWESOME!
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, BY THE CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST”
~~~
So what does that have to do with male circumcision? Male circumsion (man being the spiritual leader of his family and community) is a way for us to enter into the blood covenant. In effect, we are also saying, “May what happened to this dead piece of flesh happen to me if I do not keep the terms of the covenant.”
Also, it is totally giving ourselves to the Lord, and completely separating ourselves from what is not pleasing to God.
** And when we feel we are unable to separate ourselves from sin (which we cannot in our own ability), then we go to the Lord Jesus and BY FAITH receive from Him our death to sin.
~~~
I KNOW THIS IS LONG, but this is a VERY KEY part of our Christian faith.
Finally, I like this about the meaning of the place where Joshua had the children of Israel circumcised, in Joshua 5, verse 9:
“Then the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal [ Literally Rolling ] to this day.”
GOD HAS ROLLED OFF OF US THE REPROACH AND WICKENESS OF SIN! May we, then, EXPERIENCE that by rolling and casting every care every need onto the Lord.
Proverbs 16 (Amplified)
3
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
I Peter 5 (NKJV)
6
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Vance
======= Ramona:
Joshua 5-7:15
Vulnerability:
I am a person that does not like to show any vulnerability. I’m too afraid to let anyone see me sweat or to know that I am in pain or hurt and I know that this aversion is a BIG problem and hinders my receiving anything from God. So it is with great interest that I note Israel became vulnerable before her enemies, right outside the locked up city of Jericho.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4 KJV)
Israel submitted herself to the protection of God while she waited for all the “fighting” men, who had not been circumcised while in the wilderness, who now were circumcised, to heal. The last time we read of a “mass” circumcision back in Genesis, in the thirty-eighth chapter, Shechem and father and the rest of the men of their little community wound up dead, killed by Jacob’s two boys– Simeon and Levi. They were avenging the rape of their sister Dinah.
Is God on my side or am I on His, and which way should it be?
I have loved the following passage ever since I first read it years ago:
When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a Man stood near him with His drawn sword in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, Are you for us or for our adversaries? And He said, No [neither], but as Prince of the Lord’s host have I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, What says my Lord to His servant? (Joshua 5:13-14 AMP)
What I love about this is that it is a “slap” in the face to all of us who presumptuously feel that we are a special folk so God takes our side in any matter. God is never on man’s side, even here. Joshua is Moses’ successor; hand picked by God yet God is neither on Joshua’s side nor the enemies. The question is Joshua, are you on the Lord’s side. Of the many things that I am leery of and one is when people proclaim that because they are Christians, every step they make is Godly and God has their “back” because they are holy.
Identity Crises?
This entire incident with Ai and Achan, I believe identifies an identity problem Israel found herself facing. Who was she and where and with whom did her strength lie? Was it in the number of “fighting men?” Was Jericho defeated because there were so many of them compared to the number of Jericho’s troops? Her strength came from her relationship with God, He chose her and not she herself. Achan wasted the mercy and grace of God. The same issue, identification, can be found in the Prodigal Son(s). Each one found themselves “wasting,” what they thought was their right to have. The younger wasted the wealth given to him, and the older “wasted” the close relationship he had with his father, neither knew who he truly was.
Wasting one’s relationship, one’s wealth, one’s substance comes about because the “true” value of what you hold in your hands is not recognized. Achan thought the gold and silver was more valuable than the God who brought them into their Victory; the younger son, thought his value was in who he was apart from his father, the older valued what he did and what he attained “working” for his father, more than the relationship with his father. We will stop wasting when we understand what is valuable and what isn’t.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
