“But Joshua had commanded the people, ‘Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!’” Joshua 6:10
The conquering of Jericho was unusual on a number of levels. The thing that most people know about it is that the Israelites walked around the city for six days, and seven times on the seventh day, and then shouted and the walls fell down. This is an unusual battle tactic and not to be attempted unless God tells you to do it.
Here we see Joshua commanding the people not to speak until the day he said to. In many instances, Joshua is a type of Jesus (the name ‘Jesus’ is ‘Joshua’ in Hebrew). There is a parallel here. Jesus commands us to be gentle and not to retaliate (Matt. 5:38-42, Matt. 11:29). He set us an example in this (Isa. 53:7, 1 Pet. 2:23). “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19, quoting Deut. 32:35).
God will judge the world in due course, just as He judged the city of Jericho and gave it over to the Israelites. One day we will return with Jesus and watch as the nations fall before Him (Zech. 14:3-5).
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Manna
“The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan.” Joshua 5:12
Manna was God’s miraculous provision given to the Israelites during the 40 years in the wilderness to sustain them. Initially it was met with disdain (the word ‘manna’ basically means ‘what is it?’ – as if presented with something undesirable, like a dog turd for instance) and later with frustration at its apparent monotony (see Num. 11:6). Yet God calls it the ‘bread of heaven’ and ‘angels’ food’ (Ps. 78:24-25).
When the Israelites entered the land of promise, God’s miraculous provision of manna stopped. It signalled a change in their walk. In a spiritual sense, the Israelites’ walk is akin to our own spiritual walk: leaving Egypt (the world), a time of wilderness, crossing the Jordan (baptism in the Spirit) into a land flowing with milk and honey (abundant Spirit-filled life). God’s desire is that the Spirit would have free reign in our lives. If we choke the Spirit, God will provide in other, miraculous ways, but inferior to us actually entering the land and eating the fruit that comes from dwelling there.
Are you in a spiritual wilderness today – you’ve left Egypt but haven’t yet entered Canaan?
Manna was God’s miraculous provision given to the Israelites during the 40 years in the wilderness to sustain them. Initially it was met with disdain (the word ‘manna’ basically means ‘what is it?’ – as if presented with something undesirable, like a dog turd for instance) and later with frustration at its apparent monotony (see Num. 11:6). Yet God calls it the ‘bread of heaven’ and ‘angels’ food’ (Ps. 78:24-25).
When the Israelites entered the land of promise, God’s miraculous provision of manna stopped. It signalled a change in their walk. In a spiritual sense, the Israelites’ walk is akin to our own spiritual walk: leaving Egypt (the world), a time of wilderness, crossing the Jordan (baptism in the Spirit) into a land flowing with milk and honey (abundant Spirit-filled life). God’s desire is that the Spirit would have free reign in our lives. If we choke the Spirit, God will provide in other, miraculous ways, but inferior to us actually entering the land and eating the fruit that comes from dwelling there.
Are you in a spiritual wilderness today – you’ve left Egypt but haven’t yet entered Canaan?
Monday, March 29, 2010
The way to live
“Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” Acts 9:31
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7, 9:10). This does not mean that we should have a phobia of God, but that we ought to hold Him in reverence and great respect. The more we understand just how great God is, the more we will respect Him.
The only way to live is in the fear of the Lord. This is what the early church discovered, and it’s something that the church today would do well to learn. We often hear people talking about God as their buddy and Jesus as their best mate, but all these flippant types of remarks show is an immaturity in their spiritual walk. The early church, with its healthy fear of God, saw many miraculous signs and multitudes of people come to salvation. Consider what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they treated the things of God too lightly (Acts 5). What a spiritually powerful thing this must be, when the whole community of believers lives in a way where God is feared. There would be no place for living in sin, either overtly or covertly. There would be respect for all people as being made in God’s image. There would be no personal agendas or one-up-man-ship. There would be no place for gossip, backbiting, spreading rumours, rude jokes, bad language, etc. And when we rid these things from our lives collectively, this is when the Holy Spirit can do His work through and among us.
Proverbs tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7, 9:10). This does not mean that we should have a phobia of God, but that we ought to hold Him in reverence and great respect. The more we understand just how great God is, the more we will respect Him.
The only way to live is in the fear of the Lord. This is what the early church discovered, and it’s something that the church today would do well to learn. We often hear people talking about God as their buddy and Jesus as their best mate, but all these flippant types of remarks show is an immaturity in their spiritual walk. The early church, with its healthy fear of God, saw many miraculous signs and multitudes of people come to salvation. Consider what happened to Ananias and Sapphira when they treated the things of God too lightly (Acts 5). What a spiritually powerful thing this must be, when the whole community of believers lives in a way where God is feared. There would be no place for living in sin, either overtly or covertly. There would be respect for all people as being made in God’s image. There would be no personal agendas or one-up-man-ship. There would be no place for gossip, backbiting, spreading rumours, rude jokes, bad language, etc. And when we rid these things from our lives collectively, this is when the Holy Spirit can do His work through and among us.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Finding strength
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This commandment from God is a recurring theme in Joshua’s life. The fact that it is mentioned so publicly, and so many times (in Deut. 31, Josh. 1, Josh. 8, etc.) shows to us that perhaps Joshua was not a naturally brave man. He had to be reminded time and time again that with God on his side, he didn’t have to be afraid.
I think it’s great that the Bible is full of feeble people, because we ourselves are feeble sometimes. Through the power of God Joshua became a mighty leader, even though in his own strength he needed a lot of encouragement to keep going. That same power is available to us today, if we would but commit our ways to following the Lord and being faithful in the position which He has put us in life.
This commandment from God is a recurring theme in Joshua’s life. The fact that it is mentioned so publicly, and so many times (in Deut. 31, Josh. 1, Josh. 8, etc.) shows to us that perhaps Joshua was not a naturally brave man. He had to be reminded time and time again that with God on his side, he didn’t have to be afraid.
I think it’s great that the Bible is full of feeble people, because we ourselves are feeble sometimes. Through the power of God Joshua became a mighty leader, even though in his own strength he needed a lot of encouragement to keep going. That same power is available to us today, if we would but commit our ways to following the Lord and being faithful in the position which He has put us in life.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Philip
“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:35
Acts 8 gives us the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was prompted by the Holy Spirit to approach the eunuch’s chariot, eavesdrop on his conversation, and then in a very natural way was able to present the gospel to him.
This is not Philip of the Twelve: he was amongst those who were scattered (Acts 8:4-5) but the Twelve were not (Acts 8:1). Rather, he is mentioned among the helpers in the church (Acst 6:5). He was an ordinary guy, just like you and me.
How well could we have answered the eunuch’s question? ‘Can you explain this Scripture to me?’ We need to know the Scriptures in order to explain them. We need to be taught by the Holy Spirit in order to understand them. And like Philip, we need to begin where the person is at in their understanding of God, when we present the gospel to them. Every witnessing opportunity is different, and we need to be led by the Spirit in how to respond.
Acts 8 gives us the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was prompted by the Holy Spirit to approach the eunuch’s chariot, eavesdrop on his conversation, and then in a very natural way was able to present the gospel to him.
This is not Philip of the Twelve: he was amongst those who were scattered (Acts 8:4-5) but the Twelve were not (Acts 8:1). Rather, he is mentioned among the helpers in the church (Acst 6:5). He was an ordinary guy, just like you and me.
How well could we have answered the eunuch’s question? ‘Can you explain this Scripture to me?’ We need to know the Scriptures in order to explain them. We need to be taught by the Holy Spirit in order to understand them. And like Philip, we need to begin where the person is at in their understanding of God, when we present the gospel to them. Every witnessing opportunity is different, and we need to be led by the Spirit in how to respond.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The everlasting arms
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
God’s eternal nature should be of great comfort to us. He is always the same; He never changes. His personality doesn’t change, neither does His attitude or His love towards us. He deals with us in exactly the same way as believers all through history. His attitude towards sin has not changed, and the extent of His patience and forgiveness is still the same.
His everlasting arms support us and hold us up. This is reiterated in the New Testament also. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:28-29). There are two hands involved here – the Father’s and the Son’s. Are you resting in the everlasting arms today?
God’s eternal nature should be of great comfort to us. He is always the same; He never changes. His personality doesn’t change, neither does His attitude or His love towards us. He deals with us in exactly the same way as believers all through history. His attitude towards sin has not changed, and the extent of His patience and forgiveness is still the same.
His everlasting arms support us and hold us up. This is reiterated in the New Testament also. Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:28-29). There are two hands involved here – the Father’s and the Son’s. Are you resting in the everlasting arms today?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Stephen
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55
Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 was given in response to the accusations by the religious authorities that he was blaspheming against God. In reading through it, we find a common theme: leaders of the nation who were rejected by the people the first time, but accepted the second time. He gives examples of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and no doubt would have gone on to show from the Scriptures how Messiah would be rejected the first time but accepted the second. However, he doesn’t get that far. Instead, he met with stony-faced resistance himself. His frustration shows in v51: “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: you always resist the Holy Spirit!”
But then comes Stephen’s reward: to see Jesus, standing at the right hand of God in heaven, approving of his witness. What encouragement that must have been to him – not only in the light of the resistance, but also as he was being stoned. Instead of being frustrated, he prays for those who are stoning him (v59-60). This is a powerful lesson to us: that if, when we share the gospel with someone and they don’t respond favourably, we can know that God still approves of us.
Stephen’s sermon in Acts 7 was given in response to the accusations by the religious authorities that he was blaspheming against God. In reading through it, we find a common theme: leaders of the nation who were rejected by the people the first time, but accepted the second time. He gives examples of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, and no doubt would have gone on to show from the Scriptures how Messiah would be rejected the first time but accepted the second. However, he doesn’t get that far. Instead, he met with stony-faced resistance himself. His frustration shows in v51: “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: you always resist the Holy Spirit!”
But then comes Stephen’s reward: to see Jesus, standing at the right hand of God in heaven, approving of his witness. What encouragement that must have been to him – not only in the light of the resistance, but also as he was being stoned. Instead of being frustrated, he prays for those who are stoning him (v59-60). This is a powerful lesson to us: that if, when we share the gospel with someone and they don’t respond favourably, we can know that God still approves of us.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Upholding God's holiness
“This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold My holiness among the Israelites.” Deuteronomy 32:50-51
At face value, the events that led to God denying Moses entry into the Promised Land seem to be rather innocuous. Was this unfair of God, to deny Moses what he had been longing for all his life – especially after all that he had had to put up with in leading the Israelites through the desert for forty years: the grumbling, the complaining, the wailing, the lack of faith?
Twice in the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites camped in a place where there was no water, and God miraculously provided water for them from a rock. The first time, He commanded Moses to strike the rock, and water came forth (Ex. 17). The second time, He commanded Moses to speak to the rock (Num. 20). But Moses, in his frustration, struck the rock, and although the water came forth, God took Moses aside and said because of this he would not enter the Promised Land.
In this verse God gives us the real reason why Moses was not allowed to enter: because he failed to uphold God’s holiness. While Moses was angry at the people for their unbelief, God was not. He was simply leading them to another place where they would have to trust Him to provide. Because of His mercy, He caused water to come from the rock a second time, even when it was struck instead of being spoken to. God would surely have been glorified if Moses had spoken to the rock and water had come forth; as it was, the event was merely a repeat of the first time in the eyes of the people.
This is a sobering thought for us: How often do we miss out on the things we long for, because we fail to uphold God’s holiness in the sight of those around us?
At face value, the events that led to God denying Moses entry into the Promised Land seem to be rather innocuous. Was this unfair of God, to deny Moses what he had been longing for all his life – especially after all that he had had to put up with in leading the Israelites through the desert for forty years: the grumbling, the complaining, the wailing, the lack of faith?
Twice in the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites camped in a place where there was no water, and God miraculously provided water for them from a rock. The first time, He commanded Moses to strike the rock, and water came forth (Ex. 17). The second time, He commanded Moses to speak to the rock (Num. 20). But Moses, in his frustration, struck the rock, and although the water came forth, God took Moses aside and said because of this he would not enter the Promised Land.
In this verse God gives us the real reason why Moses was not allowed to enter: because he failed to uphold God’s holiness. While Moses was angry at the people for their unbelief, God was not. He was simply leading them to another place where they would have to trust Him to provide. Because of His mercy, He caused water to come from the rock a second time, even when it was struck instead of being spoken to. God would surely have been glorified if Moses had spoken to the rock and water had come forth; as it was, the event was merely a repeat of the first time in the eyes of the people.
This is a sobering thought for us: How often do we miss out on the things we long for, because we fail to uphold God’s holiness in the sight of those around us?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Faithful God
“I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Reflecting on God’s nature always brings me to praise Him, just for Who He is. Our God is awesome and glorious. He is completely fair, and completely good. There is no evil in Him, and no evil can exist in His presence. The mystery is indeed great – that He should love sinners such as us and send His own Son to become sin and die in our place, so that we can be with Him for all eternity. God is under no obligation to do this, but He does it because of His love for us.
God is the standard of holiness and perfection. Consider this: a straight line cannot be made any straighter. On our own, no matter how hard we try to draw a straight line, without a ruler it is impossible. Let God be the straight edge in your life, the definition of perfection. In tracing an image around an object, the closer your pencil is to the object, the more the image will represent the original. Keep close to God today, and the more you do so, the more your life will become an image of Him.
Reflecting on God’s nature always brings me to praise Him, just for Who He is. Our God is awesome and glorious. He is completely fair, and completely good. There is no evil in Him, and no evil can exist in His presence. The mystery is indeed great – that He should love sinners such as us and send His own Son to become sin and die in our place, so that we can be with Him for all eternity. God is under no obligation to do this, but He does it because of His love for us.
God is the standard of holiness and perfection. Consider this: a straight line cannot be made any straighter. On our own, no matter how hard we try to draw a straight line, without a ruler it is impossible. Let God be the straight edge in your life, the definition of perfection. In tracing an image around an object, the closer your pencil is to the object, the more the image will represent the original. Keep close to God today, and the more you do so, the more your life will become an image of Him.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The next generation
“We will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.” Psalm 78:4
Many times in the Bible it is emphasised that we are to teach our children the things of God. Not just things about God, or Bible stories alone, but to fully introduce them to Him, making spiritual things a normal part of family life so that they will grow up in the faith.
I count myself incredibly blessed to have grown up in a Christian family. While I may have come to faith if this had not been the case, I am sure the road would have been a lot longer and a lot more painful than the one I took. I am finding more and more that the fundamental Christian doctrines such as faith, grace, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and so forth, are such an integral part of me that I cannot even begin to question them. On the one hand this can make them difficult to explain; on the other I know them with a surety.
The world will condemn us for ‘brainwashing’ our kids, but the Bible commands us to “Talk about [God’s ways] when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 6:7). If we really believe that knowing God and being known by God is the most important thing in life, why would we deny that from our children?
Many times in the Bible it is emphasised that we are to teach our children the things of God. Not just things about God, or Bible stories alone, but to fully introduce them to Him, making spiritual things a normal part of family life so that they will grow up in the faith.
I count myself incredibly blessed to have grown up in a Christian family. While I may have come to faith if this had not been the case, I am sure the road would have been a lot longer and a lot more painful than the one I took. I am finding more and more that the fundamental Christian doctrines such as faith, grace, the Trinity, the deity of Christ, and so forth, are such an integral part of me that I cannot even begin to question them. On the one hand this can make them difficult to explain; on the other I know them with a surety.
The world will condemn us for ‘brainwashing’ our kids, but the Bible commands us to “Talk about [God’s ways] when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deut. 6:7). If we really believe that knowing God and being known by God is the most important thing in life, why would we deny that from our children?
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