Joshua 11

He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.

Oh, Lord, that I would follow Josh’s example. To do all that You say and to leave nothing undone.

None of the Anakim were left in the land of the children of Israel; they remained only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod.

The Anakim had been trouble for Josh from early on. None remained in the land of Israel’s children. Thank You Lord for Your kind attention to the smallest details. 

I was curious about the ‘only’ part of that verse and searched those cities. Interesting verse in Zephaniah. Challenge I have is that God removes what needs to be removed and allows even enemy strongholds to remain that He may use them for His great and eternal purposes…reminds me of a national example of difficult relationships being used to shape God’s people, (thank you, Pastor Troy for that remarkable lesson Sunday). Lord, I pray that I would also be complicit with Your divine schemes – and not used as a tool of destruction. I pray for the peace of Jerusalem and Your precious people.

Only in Gaza, Philistine city, home of the city without gates and a missing temple to the god Dagon – thanks to Samson and an area which still makes headlines.

Only in Gath, the Philistine city and home of Goliath, Philistine’s choice for storing the Ark of the Covenant and home of large and fierce warriors – sons of the giant, (one was known for having 6 fingers and 6 toes), who came against David and his men. These guys experience serial defeat at the hands of Israel and her God. The difficulty is that they had the upper hand often.

Only in Ashdod, a Philistine city, the place Philip landed after the conversion of the Ethopian eunuch and currently a place known for great opposition to the Messiah’s story.  Zephaniah 2:4-5 Gaza and Ashkelon will be abandoned, Ashdod and Ekron torn down.  And what sorrow awaits you Philistines who live along the coast and in the land of Canaan, for this judgment is against you, too!  The LORD will destroy you until not one of you is left.

Then the land rested from war.

I praise You Lord that there is “a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Praise You Lord that You know the times and keep the schedule.

Joshua 10

the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel

I am so grateful that You, LORD God are my God and You have already fought for me. Praise You, sweet Warrior of Triumph God of mine. I so love that You lead them into battle and You guide them when the battle comes to them. I know You do the same for me. You blow my mind, Holy God of the Host Armies. May I embrace and walk in the victory You have provided even during the umpteenth day of battle or pursuit.

Joshua 9

I hate that the Gibeonites were clearly told about God’s work and words but chose deception out of fear. How does that translate to my day? Who do I know that, out of fear or distrust of God or His people, chooses to live on their terms rather than run to God and receive His … grace? How can I be a messenger for His reputation, that the enemy’s lies may be uprooted and replaced by God’s gift of salvation? Where am I believing; but only partially and responding in fear? Reveal, Lord, that I may bring You much glory. May my reputation be at Your disposal, may I never strike a deal without knowing Your will. God, help me.  LORD God, keep me from being tricked, deceived or swindled.

Joshua 8

Achan, stoned, burned and rocks heaped up on him…then the LORD says, “Go and attach Ai again.” God’s work waits for no one. God was serious about the promise He gave them. He intended possession to be theirs and He kept them on task.

I praise You God and Father that You are focused on Your plan. I can so easily be derailed by an event, certainly one of the magnitude of Achan’s would throw me into a tailspin. But You remind Josh to keep on, to not be afraid and reiterate Your promise of acquisition and possession. You are a great God. May my thoughts reside in and on Your Words, may my actions reflect that You are my center and any work I do bring You glory.

The burnt offering brings near to God, the fellowship offering demonstrates responding and relating to God, the uncut stones of sacrifice display my Messiah through whom we have access and fellowship with the Father. You, o God, are so picturesque with Your words and Your requests. I thank You for this pictorial of Jesus and His loving work. You are so creative. Of course, You are. =}

Joshua 7

“The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will You do for Your own great Name?” Holy Chutzpah, J-man. Lord, I am not certain what sort of tone Joshy took with You; but I love His passion for “Your own great Name.” Please help me to be more concerned and desperate for You to act for Your own great Name than I am for You to act for me.

…liable for destruction … devoted to destruction. Precious God, purify my mind and motives that I do not entertain anything destined for destruction. YIKES.

He … has done an outrageous thing … ! Holy and Loving Father, Holy Spirit and Messiah-Mine; our culture has a fascination for the outrageous. Please keep me far from the envelop-pushing extremes which addict my societal peers. Only by Your grace am I Yours. I praise Your Name.

I don’t know where Achan thought he or his wife would wear that beautiful Babylonian robe; but why didn’t he see the folly of his ways? Spirit of the Living and Holy God, please keep me from desiring to be clothed in anything but Your gracious provision, let me not want to cover myself in riches from a place which You condemn or to take that which You have directed away from me. Let me never believe this world offers me something better than what obedience to You brings. Let me always see the ridiculousness of my sin – especially before I act. Thank You.

One man sinned, all Israel suffered. (Reminds me that through one man’s sin, death and condemnation came to the world.) One man’s bad choice yielded a bad reputation for the entire nation. As it was, so it is: Help me, Holy Spirit, to behave, choose, live, respond in a manner worthy of the faith, Your Name, Your reputation. Lord Jesus, the world hates You and needs no excuse to attack; please let me give it no real ammo. May the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart and the interactions of my life be pleasing and acceptable to You, O God, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Joshua 6

However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day…

Rahab, one of the Messiah’s ancestors. Lives in the midst of Israel to this day. Lord, give them eyes to see Who lives in the midst of Israel to this day. Help us be a people who make known Your precious identity to Your chosen people, that they may recognize and receive that You live in their midst to this day.

Father God and LORD of the Host Armies, I would have had so many questions for You, clarifying Your instructions. I praise You for Josh’s grand example of following Your orders and not over-analyzing the length of a long horn blast or what formation should be implemented. He simply ordered what You had commanded. He received Your authority and walked it out. Lord, I desire to do that, too. I want to hear and obey, please help me to trust You in the details rather than question You ad nauseam. Remind me that what You say is sufficient for my obedience. You know when I know enough, encourage me to step up in faith. Even if others don’t follow suit.

And Lord, I know You had Rahab live in the city wall so the men could escape, so she could be spared; but it must have looked funny to all the other Jerichoans to see the wall flattened with her home still intact. Your attention to details is lovely, thank You for Your very specific descriptions of Your story. I am even more enriched by Your style.

<I wonder if Rahab considered how puny the thread was, that maybe it wouldn’t be seen amidst the carnage of war. But, faith – even thread-thin faith is rewarded when it’s hung on the God of Eternity.

And what a picture of the blood flowing down many, many years later which provided ultimate salvation for any who would believe.>

Joshua 5

Lord, again one of Your chosen ones does not recognize holy when he sees it, experiences it. Help me to know; teach me holy, tell me as You have told Joshua and Moses what is the holy that I may respond rightly to the praise and reverence of Your very great Name. Invade and pervade all of my spirit, soul, strength and mind by Your Holy.
Circumcise the sons of Israel…for the wilderness-born people had not been circumcised. The Lord God may speak through a donkey and all creation does testify of Him; but His people will be marked by obedience to Him. Help me to be careful in my life to obey and encourage others to honor You, too. Please don’t let me slide for forty years in disobedience only to have a hasty pruning done on my life or self that I may comply with Your requirements. May I yield – SUBMIT to Your Word and Spirit everyday. Show me where I am presently slacking and make me ready. Trust and obey, may that be the way that my life is expressed in response to You always. Your Name not mine. And help me not struggle with the ramifications of this; but only trust You more. I love YOU, LORD of my life. Help me to love you the way You deserve and the way You created me to.