On God's Side!

13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a Man standing in front of him with sword in Hand. Joshua went up to Him and demanded, “Are You friend or foe?” 14 “Neither one,” He replied. “I am the Commander of the Lord’s Army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at Your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want Your servant to do?” 15 The Commander of the Lord’s Army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Joshua 5:13-15 (NLT).

Before the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, the people of Israel renewed their commitment and devotion to wholeheartedly follow God. This new generation of Israelites was committed to trusting and following God. God had always commanded absolute allegiance and love for Him as their  God (Deuteronomy 6:4-6) and this new generation people accepted God’s call of wholehearted faith in Him.

Even more important, Israel’s new leader, Joshua, met the Commander of the Lord's Army before entering the Promised Land (Joshua 5:13-15). Some biblical scholars say that Joshua actually met God in human form, also called a Theophany.  Other biblical scholars believe Joshua met the pre-incarnate Christ in human form or possibly an angel. Either way, Joshua’s encounter with Commander of the Lord’s Army is similar to Moses’ experience at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–8) as God declared the land holy (Joshua 5:15).  As God was with Moses to lead the people, God was now with Joshua to lead Israel. Joshua humbly fell to ground in utter respect for the Commander of the Lord's Amy and removed his sandals. Joshua understood that God deserved absolute respect, honor, and worship. 

Moreover, God personally met Joshua to help him lead Israel into battle and conquer Canaan (or the Promised Land) for God’s people. God gave Joshua and Israel the battle instructions for victory as He was truly Israel's leader. Joshua humbly accepted God’s leading and guidance because Joshua knew God’s plans and ways is best (see also Jeremiah 29:11). Moreover, Joshua learned that God had a good plan for Israel’s victory. All Joshua and Israel had to do was humbly obey God and follow Him. Wholeheartedly following God would be Israel’s secret for their victory (see also 2 Chronicles 20:15).

Finally, Joshua asked God if He was a “friend or foe” (Joshua 5:13)  God relied to Joshua “neither” (Joshua 5:14)  To put this conversation in biblical terms, we are not to ask God to be on our side.  Rather, we must declare our wholehearted devotion and love to Him as our God and declare our commitment to be on God’s side.  This is what Joshua did when he realized who stood before him as he “fell with his face to the ground in reverence” to God (Joshua 5:14).  As Christians, we too must wholeheartedly commit ourselves to God.  At the heart of this Scripture passage is holiness.  Holiness means being wholeheartedly devoted to God and God's commands and set apart from sin and sin’s influence (1 Peter 1:16; see also Joshua 24:14-15, 23).  So, let us all get on God’s side!

Reference
Coleson, Joseph. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Streams, IL:  Tyndale House Pub., 2012.

Trouble With Sin

6 Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay (sadness), threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. 7 Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, ....” 10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken (disobeyed) My covenant (commandments)! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for Me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied (acted deceitfully) about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer . . .  13 Get up! Command the people to purify  (santify or make holy) themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things (sin) from among you.” Joshua 7:6-7, 10-13 (NLT).

Jericho was the first city Joshua and the people of Israel came to in the Promised Land of God. The Promised Land was God’s property. This city protected entrances into the heart of the Promised Land (or Canaan) and was well defended with two strong walls.  Yet the people of God did not come against Jericho with weapons. God was with Israel. God had told Joshua that He had already given the city of Jericho into Israel’s hands and their enemies were defeated (Joshua 6:2; see also Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 3:8). In essence, Israel’s battle with Jericho was already won (see also 2 Chronicles 20:15). All Joshua and the Israelites had to do was to faithfully obey God’s instructions to reclaim God’s property, the Promised Land!  

God instructed Joshua to “march around the city” (Joshua 6:3) carrying the Ark of the Lord. Seven priests with seven rams’ horn were to precede the Ark of the Lord. The Ark of the Lord symbolized God’s holy presence with Israel (see Exodus 25:10-40; Numbers 7:89) and symbolized that God Himself would fight against Jericho. Israel only needed to march around the city, then shout, and observe God’s deliverance of the city into their hands. God wanted Joshua and Israel to clearly know that the battle would depend absolutely upon God for victory and not their weapons, know-how, or military might (Numbers 10:9).

Joshua 6:11-14 emphasizes the presence of the Ark of the Lord circling Jericho. For six days, Israel marched around Jericho with the Ark of the Lord (God’s Presence). With the Ark of the Lord leading, Israel circled once around the city with trumpets blowing and voices silent for six days.  On the seventh day, Israel did as they had done the previous six days, but this time circled Jericho seven times. Seven equals the number of perfection. So, Israel circles Jericho a total of thirteen times with only the sound of trumpets. Then, Joshua gave Israel the command to “Shout!” to announce God’s victory (Joshua 6:16).  The walls of Jericho came tumbling down! Jericho was the first city taken by God for Israel. Thus, Jericho and all Jericho’s gold, silver, bronze, and other possessions belonged to God as God’s first-fruits (Exodus 13:2; Exodus 23:19; see also 1 King 16:34; Joshua 7:1-26). After Jericho’s defeat, Joshua and Israel’s continued success depended upon their wholehearted obedience, devotion, and commitment to God.

Then, Israel moved to the next city for battle called Ai. However, Israel became over confident. Joshua and Israel did not seek God’s guidance and plans in their attack against Ai (Joshua 7:3-4; Matthew 6:33). Instead, Israel sent a small delegation to scout out the small Ai city without getting God’s direction. Even more, Israel’s sinned continued with Achan of the tribe of Judah. Achan disobeyed God’s commandments by lying (Exodus 20:16), stealing (Exodus 20:15), and coveting (Exodus 20:17) God’s possessions from Jericho (Joshua 7:10-12; 20-21). Because of these sins, Israel suffered defeat and death at Ai (Joshua 7:4-5).
Israel’s sin and disobedience demonstrated the seriousness of God’s commandments (see Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5). God loves and welcomes everyone who wholeheartedly turns to Him in faith and obedience and turns away from sin (John 3:16-18). Rahab and her household, non-Israelites, are an example of God’s open acceptance and welcome to all who places their trust and obedience in Him as God. However, Achan of Judah along with his household was ex-communicated from God’s family and presence because of their sin and greed (see also 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

After the initial defeat at Ai, Joshua and Israel cried out to God for forgiveness and repented of their sins (Joshua 7:6-7). Also, Joshua and Israel removed Achan's sin from their encampment (Joshua 7:24-26). With this confession and turning from sin, God’s holy presence, favor, and victory returned of Joshua and Israel (Joshua 8:1). Even more, Joshua and Israel succeeded in their second attack on Ai because God directed and guided their battle (Joshua 8:7). 

Now, Joshua and Israel sought God first and re-committed themselves to wholeheartedly obeying God’s directions (Matthew 6:33).  We too must obey God's commands (e.g., Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31). Moreover, we must also communicate by talking to God daily to discover His ways and directions. Like the generation of Joshua, we too must wholeheartedly seek to love, obey, and trust God and stay free of sin and sins influences (Joshua 1:5-9). God’s physical and spiritual blessings come to those who wholeheartedly love and obey Him (Deuteronomy 28).

God is holy (Leviticus 19:2), and He also want His people to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). Israel and Achan’s sin and its consequences reveal how serious God takes sin and disobedience (Joshua 7:24-26). Holiness means being wholeheartedly devoted to God and set apart from sin and sin’s influence. God’s holy presence, favor, and blessings will not remain with the presence of sin and evil. Yet, if you do sin, God offers a way out by genuinely confessing your sins to Him. As a loving God, He promises to forgive you (1 John 1:9; see also Joshua 7:6-7). Never forget that God is faithful and His loving kindness never ends (Lamentations 3:22-25). 

 

9 But if we confess our sins to Him (God), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (wrongs). 1 John 1:9 (NLT).

Reference
Coleson, Joseph. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Streams, IL:  Tyndale House Pub., 2012.

The Living God Goes First!

9 So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come and listen to what the Lord your God says. 10 Today you will know that the living God is among you. He will surely drive (without fail) out the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites, and Jebusites ahead of you. 11 Look, the Ark of the Covenant, which belongs to the Lord of the whole earth, will lead you across the Jordan River! . . . 13 The priests will carry the Ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth. As soon as their feet touch the water, the flow of water will be cut off upstream, and the river will stand up like a wall.” Joshua 3:9-11, 13 (NLT).

 

The crossing of the Jordan River occupies two chapters of the Book of Joshua (Joshua 3 - 4).  This great event reveals Israel’s faith history and God’s presence on Israel’s behalf to save. This crossing meant this new Israel generation would not turn away from faithful following God as their parents had done forty years earlier (Numbers 13-14). With God’s leading, Israel would now claim the Promised Land and overcome the spiritual failures of the previous generation. 

 

Central to the Jordan River crossing is the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant (also called the Ark of God or the Ark of the Testimony). Chapters 3 and 4 of Joshua reference the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark represented the visible presence and power of the living God with Israel (see Exodus 25:10-40; Numbers 7:89). This visible presence filled the people with grace and mercy as well as calming their fears and worries. God was said to occupy the “mercy seat” (covering) between the two cherubim of gold (Exodus 25:17–22). With the Ark of God leading, the true and living God Himself went into the Jordan River first as He led the people first across the flooding river on dry land (Joshua 4:7). God Himself remained in the river until all the people, weak and strong, had crossed (Joshua 3:17).

 

At the crossing, the Jordan River was at flood stage and the river banks were overflowing (Joshua 3:15). From a human viewpoint, crossing the Jordan River was humanly impossible.  But the new generation of Israel finally believed and trusted that nothing was too hard for God if God led first (see also Genesis 18:14; Numbers 14:5-9; Matthew 6:33).

 

When the people entered into the Promised Land, they would also faced a people who worshipped many gods and idols.  The Ark of God reminded the people they worshipped the “living God” (Joshua 3:10) of the “whole earth” (Joshua 3:11). He was the living and powerful “Lord of all the earth” not only of humans but also nature, including the Jordan River at flood stage. Revelation 11:19 reveals the Ark of God in God’s heavenly Temple. For Christians today, Jesus Christ is our Ark of God.  Jesus Christ is our symbol of God’s full and holy presence with us through Jesus Christ's Holy Spirit living within our hearts (John 14:17; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 9-10).  Thus, God can always be trusted as we faithfully and obediently follow His leading and instructions first!  Our God, Jesus Christ, is with us now (Matthew 1:23).

Remember God!

19 The people crossed the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month. Then they camped at Gilgal, just east of Jericho. 20 It was there at Gilgal that Joshua piled up the twelve stones taken from the Jordan River. 21 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and He kept it dry until you were all across, just as He did at the Red Sea when He dried it up until we had all crossed over. 24 He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s Hand is powerful, and so you might fear (reverence, respect, or worship) the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:19-24 (NLT).

The crossing of the Jordan River was a miracle! Joshua reminded the people to remember that the Lord God had dried up the flooding Jordan River right before their eyes. Israel crossed the river while the river was overflowing and at flood stage. To memorialize this miraculous event, Joshua directed Israel to build a memorial of twelve stones taken from the riverbed. God wanted the people to never forget who was guiding and giving them the Promised Land (see also Joshua 4:6, 21). In this crossing, God demonstrated to Israel and the other surrounding nations His great power and a witness to His faithfulness. Most important, God revealed that He was the living, true, and powerful of heaven and the whole earth that cares for His people (Joshua 2:10-11; Joshua 3:10; Joshua 4:24). 

The crossing of the Jordan River occurred the tenth day of the first month.  On the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar, this event occurred in late March, April, or early May and a few days before Passover. The miracle of the Jordan River crossing on dry land (Joshua 3:14–17) recalled the miracle of the Red Sea crossing forty years earlier by Israel escaping Egyptian slavery (Exodus 14:21–31). Israel had its first Passover in the Promised Land signifying God’s faithfulness to keep His promises (Joshua 5:10). Thus, God can always be trusted! So, tell everyone to remember God and His great faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-26).

Faithfulness to God!

Rahab:  11 When we (Canaanites) heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you (Israel), for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11 (NIV).

The Book of Joshua has much to teach us and much with which to inspire the church today. Joshua teaches on or develops a surprising number of important biblical themes. The most important theme of the Book of Joshua is that God is the center of redemption history.  In the Book of Joshua, God was the Divine Warrior and Defender for the people of Israel. God fought for Israel against the Canaanite kings and armies.  The entire Book of Joshua from beginning to end reveals God’s goodness, greatness, and gifts to His people as He through His servant and the main leader, Joshua, lead His people into the Promised Land.  Our Joshua, Jesus the Christ and our God, brings us out of bondage to sin and into a fellowship with God in the “new land” of freedom with Jesus (John 8:36).   

Moreover, the Book of Joshua highlights the fulfillment of God’s covenant and promise to the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) (e.g., Genesis 15:18; Exodus 6:8; Deuteronomy 8:7-10). God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the Promised Land (Canaan). Now, the Patriarch’s descendants (Israel) would possess the Promised Land as a gift from God. In essences, the Book of Joshua demonstrates the absolute faithfulness and goodness of God to His people and how God can always be trusted to fulfill His promises (see Genesis 15:18-21; Joshua 21:43-45).

Because God is good and faithful, God must be our object of love, allegiance, and spiritual affection. We must never worship another god, other than the true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Joshua 2:11). The one true and living God is not a god of a particular place and purpose. Rather, God is highest everywhere and He loves us with an everlasting love (Joshua 2:9–11; John 3:16). God can be trusted!
 

Faith That Saves

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions (by helping others)? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds (actions or works), it is dead and useless. . . . 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers (spies) and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:14-17, 24-26 (NLT).

Rahab described in Joshua 2 exercised courageous faith. She trusted and believed that the Lord God of Israel was the true and living God of both heaven and earth (Joshua 2:10–13). Moreover, she not only believed in God but she also acted on her faith by hiding the two Israelite spies as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land (Canaan) (Joshua 2:3-6). The people of Canaan also believed in God and heard of God’s miraculous actions on behalf of Israel (Joshua 2:9-11).  However, believing in God is not enough as God wants us to also act on our faith with good actions by helping others (James 2:14-17).

Rahab was a woman of great faith and courage. Because of her courageous faith in God and actions, she not only saved herself from death and destruction but the lives of her entire family (Joshua 2:18-20; Joshua 6:22-23). Rahab and her faith are commended in the New Testament as she demonstrated faith by good works (Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25-26). The faith that saves takes courage and obedience to God. 

Rahab was not a native Israelite. In fact, Rahab was a prostitute or a harlot (Hebrew zanah or zōnah) from Canaan and she even lied to protect the Israelite spies (Joshua 2:4-5). God did not approve of Rahab’s lying or her harlotry. The Holy Scriptures clearly prohibits lying and harlotry, and nowhere does God condone Rahab’s lying nor lifestyle (Proverbs 12:22). Proverbs 12:22 expresses how much God values truth. Nonetheless, many biblical scholars have noted that deception and espionage are part of warfare as an explanation for Rahab’s lying to protect the invading Israelites spies. Nevertheless, we must affirm Rahab’s courageous faith and leave any judgment to God.

But in God’s mercy and grace, God forgave and received Rahab into the family line of God because of her courage and faith in Him (see also Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1–10; 1 Timothy 1:15). Together with Sarah, Rahab is one of the only two women mentioned by name in the great faith hall of fame (Hebrews 11:31). Rahab later married Salmon of Israel and through whom was born Boaz, Ruth’s husband (Ruth 4:20-21). Thus, Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, became part of the family lineage of King David (1 Chronicles 2:11-12) and hence of Jesus the Messiah (Matthew 1:4-6, 17; Luke 3:32).

Did Jesus Ever Sin?

In every respect, Jesus’ body was just like that of any other human. Jesus was fully human with a human nature. He had a human genealogy (Matthew 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–28); a human birth and childhood; conceived in Mary’s womb (Matthew 1:20; Luke 1:26–27); a human birth by a woman (Matthew 1:25; Luke 2:1–7; Galatians 4:4); circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21); visited the Temple as a boy (Luke 2:41–51); grew up as any other human (Luke 2:52); had a human soul (Matthew 26:38; Luke 23:46), and was handled by people (1 John 1:1; Matthew 26:12). At His passion (suffering, death, and burial), Jesus experienced bloody sweat in the garden (Luke 22:44); death on the Cross at Calvary (Matthew 27:50; John 19:33; Philippians 2:7–8); blood and water flowed from His wound (John 19:34–35); His body was taken down from the Cross (Luke 23:53); His body was prepared and laid in a tomb (John 19:39–41); and burial clothes were used (John 20:6–7).

Nonetheless, the New Testament states clearly that even in His humanity, Jesus did not sin. Jesus lived a human life with a complete absence of sin (Exodus 20:1–21; Deuteronomy 5). Unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus never disobeyed God (Genesis 3; 1 Peter 1:19–22; 1 John 3:5). Jesus fully obeyed God in our place and as our representative, thus succeeding where Adam and Eve failed, where the people of Israel in the wilderness failed, and where King David failed (2 Samuel 11–12; Romans 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 15:45–47). Jesus never lied, cheated, coveted, disobeyed His Father, committed adultery, murdered, nor did He commit any of the many other sins noted in the Old Testament (John 15:10; John 18:38; 2 Corinthians 5:21). No deceit was found in Jesus’ mouth (1 Peter 2:22). However, King David did sin and he committed adultery, murder, and deceit (2 Samuel 11:27; 2 Samuel 12:1–15); nonetheless, he remained wholeheartedly devoted and loyal to God. Once his sin was revealed, King David confessed, repented, and received God’s forgiveness. However, the consequences of King David’s sin never departed from his household (2 Samuel 12:10, 15).

The author of Hebrews states that Jesus was tempted but He never sinned (Hebrews 4:14–16). He faced every temptation humans faced and continue to face (Hebrews 4:4–16). Being human, Jesus could not conquer temptation without a struggle. As fully God, Jesus did not yield to these temptations and, in fact, resisted and defeated evil in accordance with God, the Father’s, plan (John 5:19, 30). Jesus was tempted by evil—to disobey God for self-gratification, self-display, and self-aggrandizement (Matthew 4:1–11), and the temptation to avoid the Cross (Matthew 16:23; Luke 22:28). However, Jesus remained faithful to God and sinless, “a Lamb without blemish or defect” (Romans 6:6–7; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Colossians 2:13–14; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18–19). “Because He [Jesus] Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, while temptations were real, the Holy Spirit kept Jesus from committing any sin. Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure to help Him in His earthly ministry (John 14–16). References to the Holy Spirit precede the temptation narrative in the Gospels: Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit… and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil” (Luke 4:1–2). Thereafter, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). Jesus suffering as a human being led to His exaltation by God the Father (see Philippians 2:5–11; cp. Isaiah 52:13–53:12).