So Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses. He gave it to the people of Israel as their special possession, dividing the land among the tribes. So the land finally had rest from war. [Joshua 11.23]
In today's One Year Chronological Bible reading there are some amazing victories chronicled not the least of which are a significant weather event and an unprecedented pause in the earth's rotation. Wow... just, wow.
How might it have felt to be Israel at this time in history? It is with this thought that we often lose touch with what is actually being recorded in the Bible. We should be reminded at this point of Moses' prediction of this time of victory even though Israel was a stubborn people:
“Listen, O Israel! Today you are about to cross the Jordan River to take over the land belonging to nations much greater and more powerful than you. They live in cities with walls that reach to the sky! The people are strong and tall—descendants of the famous Anakite giants. You’ve heard the saying, ‘Who can stand up to the Anakites?’ But recognize today that the LORD your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the LORD has promised. “After the LORD your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You must recognize that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land because you are good, for you are not—you are a stubborn people. [Deuteronomy 9.1-6]
Wait! What? God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob included using Israel to punish the idolatry of the people of Canaan who would be driven out.
“You must keep all my decrees and regulations by putting them into practice; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you as your new home will vomit you out. Do not live according to the customs of the people I am driving out before you. It is because they do these shameful things that I detest them. [Leviticus 20.22-23]
What were the shameful and detestable customs of the people of Canaan? Leviticus 20.22-23 follows a list of these customs provided in the context of Leviticus 20 that is introduced in verse 5 below with the identification of idolatry: worshiping Molech.
I myself will turn against them and their families and will cut them off from the community. This will happen to all who commit spiritual prostitution by worshiping Molech. [Leviticus 20.5]
So, back to Joshua and the miraculous and glorious victory he and all Israel enjoyed... It was not for them! Their "victory" was God's "punishment" upon the idolatry in Canaan which, uncoincidentally, also fulfilled God's Promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Now...
Having established the context of Israel's victory above, it becomes clear why the commander of the LORD's army (Jesus, Whom Joshua encountered outside Jericho) identified Himself as such instead of "friend" or "foe" (see Joshua 5.13-14).
The point is, God has a plan. God's Covenant Promise to His people and His wrath upon idolatry (with all its list of debauchery) will both be fulfilled in entirety. The question is not whether Jesus is friend or foe to us, but are we friend or foe to Him?
You are my friends if you do what I command. [John 15.14]
Hmm..., what exactly did Jesus command that His followers must do?
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
"Your own way" makes a person a foe of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. It puts a person in the same position as the residents of Canaan whom God detested and annihilated because of their gross idolatry (and all that went along with it). "Your own way" exposes a person to every curse of God whether he or she recognizes and admits it or not.
To "take up your cross" makes a person a friend of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. It puts a person in the same position as Joshua when he fell on his face before the commander of the LORD's army. To "take up your cross" exposes a person to every miraculous unexplainable blessing of God in the face of death itself - the way of genuine faith.
Joshua took control of the entire land, just as the LORD had instructed Moses NOT because he and Israel were so special, but because he and Israel chose to submit to the commander of the LORD's army Whose purpose was to annihilate the residents of Canaan and uphold God's Covenant Promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Joshua's choice was clear in his response to the commander of the LORD's army:
“I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?” [Joshua 5.14b]
The short answer to Joshua's question above can be paraphrased as follows: "Execute God's wrath upon the idolatrous people of the land and, in that obedience, enjoy the Covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (to be given a land filled with milk and honey - nothing but good things)."
God would have annihilated the residents of Canaan and fulfilled His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with or without Joshua and Israel. They chose to submit.
God will annihilate idolatry and fulfill His Kingdom Promise with or without us. We must choose to submit. We must choose to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.
Father, thank You for clarifying that Your Kingdom does not depend on me. Thank You for reminding me that I am not entitled to anything. Thank You that Your character gives me the choice to submit or rebel. With all that I understand and can consciously "will," I submit to You - to Jesus - to give up my own way, take up my cross, and follow Him. And, in so doing, may the land I occupy realize the same "rest from war" that Israel enjoyed. So be it.
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