PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Joshua 9-10
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!” (Joshua 10:14)
The names Joshua and Jesus mean the same thing: the Lord saves!
But what a contrast between Joshua and Jesus.
Joshua sheds blood, while Jesus allows his blood to be shed.
How do we explain the gore and violence we read in Joshua?
God does not crucify Jesus, but God does allow him to be crucified (Acts 2:23).
God does not kill all these people, but God does allow them to be killed.
God set up this world to work with humans; sin does not change that.
Sinful, violent humans are God’s only option for working in the world.
Behind – and despite – the gore and violence in our world, the Lord is fighting.
The Lord is fighting for humanity, the Lord is fighting Satan and evil.
I do not blame God for all this death; it is the curse of human sin.
But I do credit God at work through and despite the curse to overcome it.
It is the way of Jesus, submitting to human violence, that we see here.
I see Jesus being crucified in these Joshua chapters, and God weeping.
PRAYER
Lord, you submit yourself to our cruel, violent ways, in order to help us. Thank you for fighting for humanity… even if I don’t understand the way you do it!
I’d like to call this the definition of original sin: “but did not inquire of the Lord.” And that is sin for me and for us today. We need to inquire of the Lord!! And word had gotten out about God’s promise even to the Gibeonites: “Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. 25 We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.” These people feared the Lord – they believed God would do what He promised – so they came up with this ruse and were willing to be servants. I think their ‘fear’ in God – saved them – and they were willing to submit and it is also significant that they now serve to bring the wood needed for the temple service! And they received the protection of God’s people – as their the nations around them wanted to rout them for making an agreement with Joshua! But Joshua and his men not only saved the Gibeonites but killed all the 5 kings who fought against him – clearing the land as God had directed. Joshua learned to inquire of the Lord first!
Reclaiming the land.
God had said that He would bring to the new land. And yet after seeing His hand of the destruction of Jericho the people still leaned on their own power and understanding. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He gives the victory. Even when we fail He fulfills His promises opening the eyes of their enemies causing fear to spread. God is the One Who redeems.
I know he rescued my soul
His blood has covered my sin
I believe, I believe
My shame, He’s taken away
My pain is healed in his name
I believe, I believe
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ll raise a banner (Oh-oh-oh)
‘Cause my Lord has conquered the grave