The Story | The Battle Begins

I cringed a bit when I wrote the title for this week’s devotion: “How complete is our obedience?” But, as you read chapter 7 from The Story, I think this ends up directing our thoughts toward God’s Upper Story.

As I read and talked with people on Sunday morning, I think we all felt the pull toward the brutality of the battles, especially the command to kill and destroy everyone and everything. How could God command such a thing? How could these people of God do such a thing? There are some scholars who say that the cities of Jericho and Ai were military outposts and likely had few women and children in them (Joshua 6:21; Joshua 8:25).

We hear of a number of events in the Bible that capture our attention and really make us wonder what God is up to – they help us wonder who God really is. What about the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14)?

I think God wants to know if we hear Him, and if we are truly willing to do what He is asking no matter how crazy it may seem (marching around the city of Jericho for 7 days and blowing a trumpet was pretty crazy). Do we trust God? Do we believe that God will help us overcome the challenges in our lives?

As Americans, we pride ourselves on freedom; therefore, obedience can be a sensitive topic. Being obedient seems to imply our own weakness. Does believing in God or being obedient to God mean that we are weak?

As we go about living our lives day-to-day, do we listen to God? Can we listen more attentively?

Then, once we hear God, can we claim for ourselves the words God said to Joshua: “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).

What is facing you this week? Where does God call you to have courage, to not be afraid, and to not become discourages?

 

For Further Study

The battles in Joshua and references to killing all people (young and old; men, women and children), don’t sit well with us as we consider that God is love, that Jesus welcomed the children, and that God is about preserving life. If you are interested in doing some research, consider looking into what God commands regarding the entry into the Promised Land. The battles in Joshua 6:21 and 8:25 describe what happened, but is it what God clearly commanded? If you do some research or reflection, feel free to post your comments.

 

References

The Story | The Battle Begins – Chapter 7 covering Joshua 1-2, 6, 8, 10-11, 23-24

Sermon from Sunday (10/27) @ 8:00am – The Story | The Battle Begins

Sermon from Sunday (10/27) @ 11:00am – The Story | The Battle Begins