SCRIPTURE: Joshua 13
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day. [Joshua 13:13]
Here we find the first clue that things will not work out in Canaan quite as planned.
The people of Geshur and Maacah are allowed to remain.
Mercy or folly?
As we will see in the next few years, it turns out to be serious folly.
They let their guard down, they allowed some ‘yeast’ to remain, and in time that yeast will rise up.
We are like this.
How often do we not allow minor sins or slips or compromises to remain.
We do not root out sinful thoughts or behaviours, we tolerate them, we attempt to control them.
Wrong thinking can shipwreck the mightiest sea vessel (ask the captain of the Titanic).
Jesus warns about the danger of wrong thinking: “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. [Matthew 16:6,12]
Knowing the history of the church, the legalism of the Pharisees and the liberalism of the Sadducees has poisoned the church throughout the ages.
The message of the gospel has been compromised in both directions.
This is inevitable (as long as sin and Satan is around), but the lack of diligence and seriousness on the part of God’s people is what is concerning.
Do we not realize the danger we are in? We are warned again and again to be on guard, to be diligent, to be serious.
Yet how often do we allow the subtle temptations of Canaan to remain unchallenged in our hearts.
An interesting comment is inserted about how Balaam was killed because he practiced divination [Joshua 13:22].
He is the sorcerer who tried to curse Israel, but God turned his words into a blessing [see Numbers 22-24].
Yes, he was put to death (dealing seriously with the danger of sorcery), but even this temptation resurfaces in the church.
In His warning to the church in Pergamum, Jesus says: Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. [Revelation 2:14]
See how subtle and serious these things are, like yeast – small but potent?
We cannot let down our guard.
Satan is looking for ways to trip and mess us up, and to defeat us.
PRAYER:
Lord, show me where I am allowing compromise or temptation to remain in my life. Help me to deal with it seriously!