SCRIPTURE: Joshua 11:16-23
OBSERVATION:
I was totally taken aback by the words “not one city made a treaty of peace”. Was this an option for them? “The Lord Himself hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel”. OK, this takes some prayer. I don’t think this implies that their hearts were soft before He hardened them, as if they were gentle, peace-loving citizens eager and willing to live peacefully with their new neighbours. Maybe its better to understand this in the same way as Paul describes in Romans 1:21-32, where God gives people over to what is already in their hearts. All their lives He had been wooing and calling them, giving them plenty of reason to repent and humble themselves before Him and live peacefully with others. But now, finally, at the moment of judgment, He no longer gives them the chance to repent, now they must pay. I imagine a situation where a violent, cruel person is warned again and again by their parents to change, to stop, to repent. But they refuse. Finally they must call the police, and at the point of arrest, no matter how much they plead for mercy, they must now face justice. Its too late at this point, justice is being meted out through Israel. Remember, these kings and people were cruel, violent, unjust and immoral people. They are finally reaping what they have sown.
APPLICATION:
Am I ignoring God’s warnings? Even though there is ample evidence, if I pay attention, that God is real (Romans 1:18-20), do I deny Him by my actions and give myself over to sin? Will there be a day when I will realize, too late, that I’ve been wasting God’s grace, wasting His opportunities, living selfishly and greedily in His world? In some ways I can see where I may be experiencing an initial hardening (not complete, but if I don’t change and repent, it will get worse). Am I seriously and sincerely seeking peace with God, with Jesus? Or am I too busy, too distracted, to self-absorbed?
PRAYER:
Lord, once again I realize that if I pay attention, You calling, warning, appealing to me. But I am too distracted, to self-absorbed. Please help me to stop and listen and respond, before its too late. Amen.