Joshua
6 – 10
This is Joshua continuing to take the Promised Land with one
of the most famous battles of Jericho. This is a classic story of the fortified
walls that came tumbling down. Interestingly, this story has been verified via
archeological digs around modern day Jericho. I often wonder if the “curse”
Joshua gave Jericho in verse 26 happened, since it was obviously rebuilt.
Verse 7:1 opens some questions on Israel’s ability to follow
directions:
But the Israelites
acted unfaithfully in one thing: they did not allow everything from Jericho
to be destroyed, as God had ordered. Achan (the son of Carmi, grandson
of Zabdi, and great-grandson of Zerah of the tribe of Judah) had carried some
things away from Jericho, so the Eternal was angry at the Israelites.
I never have gotten the “punish all for the
acts of one” logic. In this case Israel figured Ai would be a rout, but got
whooped instead. The people not only were being punished for the acts of Achan,
but also for not consulting God before attacking Ai. How many times has this
happened to us? A favorite of grade school teachers is to punish the whole
class for one fool. I know I was that “fool” more than once and my class mates
were not real happy with me, fortunately my fate was not that of Achan.
The other more “nebulous” punishment is
from not consulting God. This is something I have had problems with over the
years since I have always had a tough time differentiating between God’s voice
and my own. So when I charge into battle and fail, I wonder if it was me or it
was not God’s will. Often it’s after charging in that I ask for God’s guidance
and I still want a clear voice, but have never got it.
What we need to understand and learn is to
always consult God and if the voice is not clear consult scripture to ensure
you are doing the right thing. God will not give you a prompt that is outside
His laws. The ‘ole getting great financing or finding the one after you’re
married is just not how He rolls. If you had followed God to begin with you
would not need to finance and the “one” would have been figured out before
getting married.
Joshua continues with deceptions from their
enemies and more battles being won. Through this all the key things are when
they consult God the result is grand, when they do not it fails. I think the
key from today’s reading is to never go on our own and always consult God.
Don’t get carried away, like praying for what to eat for lunch, rather for the
important decisions.
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