The Great Assumption

Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! [Joshua 7.7]

Even in all his fame as a great leader of Israel, Joshua missed it here. In fact, Joshua's complaint sounded awfully similar to Israel's complaint earlier (under Moses' leadership):

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? [Exodus 14.10-11]

The problem with these complaints is the assumption they both make about the character and purpose of God. In fact, there are several complaints like this recorded in the Bible all of which indicate the same erroneous assumption about God.

The Great Assumption here is that God somehow made a mistake. In all the complaints recorded in Israel's wilderness experience, the people blindly accused God of misconduct instead of "looking in the mirror." This is precisely what Joshua did then and what God's people do today as if they have learned nothing of Israel and their history: when something goes awry (read "curses"), instead of immediately concluding the need for personal or corporate repentance, we complain to God as if He has mistreated us.

We should not console ourselves that Jesus changed this problem! This too, is an erroneous assumption! Nothing of Jesus' work for the benefit of man is enjoyed outside the realm of faith. Failure to "believe in Jesus" is a sin of disobedience remedied only through repentance and genuine faith. There is a good reason Jesus began His earthly ministry like this:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

But wait! Look at this: Jesus Himself seems to have made a complaint on the cross...

At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [Matthew 27.46]

If we can see it, Joshua's question (complaint) was prophetic of Jesus' question (complaint)! The answer to both questions is exactly the same!!!

• Joshua
• Q: Why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us?
• A: Sin (in the camp)
• Jesus
• Q: Why have you abandoned me?
• A: Sin

Joshua's question was an ignorant question of man (he should have known that the curse of defeat was clearly the result of sin). But Jesus' question was an informed revelation of truth (pay attention here: God never asked a question He did not already know the answer to)! 

Consider this: Jesus' question on the cross was no different than God's question, "where are you?" to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The "ask-er" of the question was using the question as a revelation to the "ask-ee" of the question. God's "question-revelation" to Adam and Eve was that mankind had come under the curse of sin. Jesus' "question-revelation" to God was that He had submitted Himself to all that curse of sin upon mankind and that He was about to carry it to its ultimate destination of hell and there conquer it on behalf of all who would believe! (Thus, Jesus also said, "It is finished" [meaning the completed work of Redemption]!

When curses manifest, we should ALWAYS know it is the result of sin! Repentance and faith in Christ (the Sacrifice on our behalf) is ALWAYS the solution. 

If we, even momentarily, forget, or are ignorant, of God's character and purpose, we will, like Joshua, ask God an uninformed question. The sad thing is today, far too many people prefer to proudly deny guilt and instead make uninformed assumptions about God and His character - the Great (mistaken) Assumption.

Father, forgive me in times of manifest curses, for making the Great Assumption of denying guilt and instead questioning You. May I be found repentant at all times and humbly ready to faithfully (in full faith) do Your will in all the power of Your Kingdom that Jesus demonstrated!