The Suffering Servant of God

13 See, My Servant (Messiah, the Lord Jesus) shall prosper; He shall be highly exalted. 14 Yet many shall be amazed when they see Him—yes, even far-off foreign nations and their kings; they shall stand dumbfounded, speechless in His presence. For they shall see and understand what they had not been told before. 15 They shall see My Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there. So shall He cleanse many nations. Isaiah 52:13-15 (The Living Bible).

1 But, oh, how few believe it! Who will listen? To whom will God reveal His saving power? 2 In God’s eyes He was like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. But in our eyes there was no attractiveness at all, nothing to make us want Him. 3 We despised Him and rejected Him—a Man of Sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way when He went by. He was despised, and we didn’t care.

4 Yet it was our grief He bore, our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a punishment from God, for His own sins! 5 But He was wounded and bruised for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace; He was lashed—and we were healed! 6 We—every one of us—have strayed away like sheep! We, who left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on Him the guilt and sins of every one of us!

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He never said a word. He was brought as a Lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He stood silent before the ones condemning Him. 8 From prison and trial they led Him away to His death. But who among the people of that day realized it was their sins that He was dying for—that He was suffering their punishment? 9 He was buried like a criminal, but in a rich man’s grave; but He had done no wrong and had never spoken an evil word.

10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to bruise Him and fill Him with grief. However, when His soul has been made an offering for sin, then He shall have a multitude of children, many heirs. He shall live again, and God’s program shall prosper in His hands. 11 And when He sees all that is accomplished by the anguish of His soul, he shall be satisfied; and because of what He has experienced, My Righteous Servant shall make many to be counted righteous before God, for He shall bear all their sins. 12 Therefore, I will give Him the honors of One who is mighty and great because He has poured out His soul unto death. He was counted as a sinner, and He bore the sins of many, and He pled with God for sinners. Isaiah 53:1-12 (The Living Bible).

The humanity of Jesus is brought to light in passages that recall the Suffering Servant of the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 52:13–53:12). There was nothing beautiful or majestic in the physical appearance of Jesus while on earth. The people who saw Jesus considered Him an ordinary man. He was not physically attractive nor was He personally charismatic. Jesus did not attract a large following based on His physical appearance (Isaiah 53:2). Indeed, while on earth, He appeared with no greatness or self-evident royal splendor. However, the “Servant” Jesus was “marred beyond human likeness” through His human suffering to cleanse the world of sin (Isaiah 52:13–15). Jesus’ humility, suffering, and mercy demonstrate his true strength (Isaiah 53:1).

Seeking God

Live!

4 Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: “Come back to Me and live! 5 Don’t worship at the pagan altars at Bethel; don’t go to the shrines at Gilgal or Beersheba. For the people of Gilgal will be dragged off into exile, and the people of Bethel will be reduced to nothing.” 6 Come back to the Lord and live! Otherwise, He will roar through Israel like a fire, devouring you completely. Your gods in Bethel won’t be able to quench the flames. 7 You twist justice, making it a bitter pill for the oppressed. You treat the righteous like dirt. 8 It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is His Name! ... 14 Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your Helper, just as you have claimed. 15 Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. … 21 I hate all your show and pretense— the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. 22 I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. 23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”

Amos 5:4-8, 14-15, 21-24 (NLT).

Amos 5 of the Old Testament starts with a funeral song for Israel. Israel had sinned against God. The prophet Amos wept as he announced Israel’s death because of her sins. In fact, Amos considered Israel already dead, but just unburied. Israel look prosperous and happy outside but underneath Israel worshipped idols, oppressed the poor, and corrupted the judicial system (Amos 5:11-15, 24; Amos 8:4-6).

The law courts of Israel had become a place of injustice and greed and not a place of relief and truth (Amos 5:7). False accusations, bribery, and corruption ran rampant in Israel’s courts. The courts were controlled by the wealthy, corrupt judges, and hired witnesses. No one sought truth while the poor and defenseless were exploited (Amos 5:10-12). Even worse, Israel had also turned to worshiping stars, planets, and nature (2 Kings 23:4-7) and not the living God that controls nature and the universe. Israel depended on their wealth, their military power, and their foreign alliances and not the true and living God for all their needs. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12).

Then, God gave Israel through the prophet Amos a gracious invitation. Amos invited Israel three times to come and seek God and find life (Amos 5:4, 6, 14). Though God’s judgment against Israel was looming, Israel could avoid God’s judgment and death by wholeheartedly seeking the Lord God. The true and living God is the omnipotent Creator, having made the stars, planets, and the heavens. Moreover, God is the One who actively controls everything around us in nature. In short, He is God, Creator of the heavens and the earth (Jonah 1:9).

One day, we will die but there is still hope — "seek the LORD and live." Sin leads to our destruction and eternal death, but seeking God leads to our life (see also Deuteronomy 30:11-20). Like Israel, our only hope is to seek God in wholehearted and true repentance to live and avoid God’s eternal judgment. God does not want us just to attend church, perform religious rituals and other outward deeds and sacrifices. Instead God wants everyone to first seek His heart through a close and devoted relationship with Him (Matthew 6:33). To seek God and live is to seek and love Him with all your hearts, souls, and mind (see also Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 22:34-40). God knows our sins. But in God’s mercy and compassion, He invites everyone to come to Him to find true life (Isaiah 55:1-7). We need to first seek God every day, especially during difficulty times.

God hates false worship, religious hypocrisy and spiritual unfaithfulness (Amos 5:21-23; see also Isaiah 1:10-20). He does not want people who just go through religious motions for show and to manipulate Him. Even more, God does not want people living sinful lives filled with sexual immorality and greed; use religious services to make themselves look good. Instead, God wants our continual and authentic worship from our whole hearts (John 4:23-24), righteous living, and genuine repentance (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Psalm 51:16-17; Amos 5:22, 24). God has never been concerned with our outward image but our inward heart appearance and total devotion to Him! He wants everyone to genuinely worship and trust in Him as the one true and living God (Joshua 2:11; Micah 6:6-8). Moreover, our worship of God must be based upon true heart devotion that yields obedience, goodness, and mercy (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Amos 5:14, 24; see also Matthew 18). 

Most important, God wants everyone to know that He loves them (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9-10)). Often, the Holy Bible speaks of God’s love and commitment to humankind (e.g., Deuteronomy 33:3; Psalm 136:1). Nothing can separate us from God’s love and affection for His people. When we are hurting, sad, and lonely, God is just a pray away. God wants to hear from you. NO SIN is beyond God’s forgiveness, love, and mercy (Romans 8:35-39). No matter what you have done, God is still waiting on you with open arms to love (Luke 15:11-32). Seek God and live! God really does love you.

6 Seek the Lord while you can find Him. Call on Him now while He is near. 7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously. Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT).

 

Reference
Believer’s Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
King James Version Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.
Wiersbe, Warren W. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

The Smallest Book of the Bible: Obadiah

Prepare To Meet Your God

What caused a shepherd from Tekoa to say these famous words, “Prepare to meet your God” from Amos 4:12? The prophet Amos of the Old Testament was a shepherd from Tekoa, a small town about eleven miles from Jerusalem. Amos was not a paid preacher or professional prophet (Amos 7:10-15). Instead, Amos was a layperson sent by God to warn Israel’s northern kingdom to pursue true worship of the true and living God. Israel was carrying on token or surface religious performances, but they had no true heart love, honor, and worship of God. Even worse, Israel had no commitment to God’s Holy Word.

During Amos’ brief ministry to Israel, the rich were getting richer and the poor were getting poorer. Israel prized wealth, power, and self-indulgency while abusing the powerless and neglecting the faithful worship of God. Luxury and extravagancy flourished in Israel (Amos 3:10-15; Amos 5:1-6) and superficial religious rituals were popular. The Israelites lived beneath an appearance of religion without genuine spiritual integrity and sincere obedience toward God. The people gave God their lip service and outwardly religious rituals but not their wholehearted obedience and love. Making money and self-indulgence were more important than genuinely worshiping God (Amos 8:5). Israel worshipped idols, oppressed the poor, and corrupted the judicial system (Amos 5:11-15, 24; Amos 8:4-6). Mistreatment of the poor ran rampant throughout the land (Amos 2:6; Amos 3:10; Amos 4:1; Amos 5:11; Amos 8:4-6). The wealthy Israelites were getting rich at the expense of the poor. Justice was one-sided and corrupt. Businesses were dishonest and fraudulent. The people did not obey and follow God’s Word. Even worse, some people of Israel trusted their money, houses, or fortifications and not the true and living God (Amos 6:1-14). They believed their wealth and success were signs of divine favor. But, Israel’s prosperity increased their religious and moral corruption.

Moreover, God sent natural disasters to the people — through famine, drought, locusts, plagues, and war — to warn the people to turn from their sin and evil but they still ignored God (Amos 4:6-13). Five times God asked the people to return to Him but the continued their hypocritical religion and ignore true worship of God (Amos 4:6, 8, 9, 10, and 11). God warned the people to pursue righteousness — a sincere heart worship of God that yields social justice and kindness towards others — and turn from sin and wickedness. The prophet Elijah had a similar message to Israel as he also challenged the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel to choose whether they would worship the true and living God or Baal (1 King 18:21, 24).

After Amos’ announcement of judgment and warning on Israel, the book concludes with a message of hope (Amos 9:11-15). God promised to restore everyone who humbly turned from sin and turned their whole hearts to God. Most important, God wants everyone — individuals and nations from generation to generation — to pursue justice, righteousness and mercy, especially for the poor, oppressed, and powerless (see, e.g., Deuteronomy 24:10-22). True worship of God yields love, mercy, and kindness towards others (see also Hosea 6:6; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 1:27). God made all people (Genesis 1:26-27) and He is the Great King who rules the entire universe (Amos 4:13; Amos 5:8; Amos 9:5-6). He wants everyone to wholeheartedly love Him as God, to do good, and to love one another (Matthew 22:34-40). Even more, God wants everyone to be doers of His Holy Word and not just hearers only (James 1:22-25). Superficial religion and rituals never impress God without wholehearted love, obedience, and commitment to Him as the true and living God (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Matthew 7:21).

Amos encouraged the people to “let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream” (Amos 5:24). For those who reject God’s ways, only judgment remained and “prepare to meet your God” (Amos 4:12).

References
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan,1992.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Why Jesus?

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His Name. John 20:30–31 (NLT).

Jesus changed the course of world history for ALL people. He is not only the turning point of human history but of eternity. Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) and the Son of God (Mark 1:1; Mark 8:29–30). God the Father, John the Baptist, Jesus’ miracles (or sins), the Scriptures, and many other people all confirm and acknowledge that Jesus is indeed the Savior of the World (John 4:42).

God sent Jesus into this world to reveal the glory of God to people. God guided the course of human history to climax with Jesus’ arrival as the eternal King of all the earth. Although Jesus is God incarnate (in the flesh), He entered human history as a Man and a Servant.

Jesus was a Jew, the Son of Abraham, and a King from the line of King David. He held the role during His public ministry on earth as prophet, priest, and king. Most important, this Jesus from the humble town of Nazareth was the long awaited Messiah and the promised Deliverer predicted from the Old Testament. Jesus is the Savior of all people, and He ultimately fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3) to save people from their sins (Luke 15:1–32; Luke 19:10).

No one can ever be Jesus’ equal because Jesus is the Great Ruler of time and eternity, the Messiah, and God. Jesus is greater than King David and Abraham. He lived a life without sin and in full obedience to God. Even at Jesus’ birth, many people recognized Him as a King. Herod tried to kill Jesus at birth and evil tried to stop Jesus in the wilderness but three Wise Men (also called Magi) worshiped Him as King.

As the Messiah, Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for ALL people (Mark 10:45; Mark 14:24). The life and ministry of Jesus increasingly show the never ending love of God for people (John 3:16).The death of Jesus paid the penalty for sin and purchased freedom for everyone who believes in Him by faith (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6). He died in the place of sinners on the Cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through faith in Jesus’ death, anyone can be reconciled to God and saved from eternal separation from God (2 Corinthians 5:18–21). Jesus’ death for all people is proof of God’s love for the world (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).

Jesus went to Jerusalem as the humble, Suffering Servant. Before His execution as a criminal, He proclaimed judgment on the nation. Then He rose from the dead to fulfill God’s plan, and launch His Spirit-driven mission to all the world. The risen Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, is the Savior of the whole world.

The entire message of the Bible is that Jesus has come to save the world. Jesus unites all people of all groups - Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles), male and female, rich and poor - through His love and the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:26–29; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 2:14–22; Ephesians 3:6). So, let us stand firm in faith with Jesus!

Give God Your Heart

12 That is why the Lord says, "Turn to Me now, while there is time. Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. 14 Who knows? Perhaps He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. …"  Joel 2:12-14 (NLT), see also 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Book of Joel warned the people of God’s approaching judgment and crisis if they did not turn from their sins and turn their whole hearts to God. God told the people through the prophet Joel to turn to Him and away from sin and evil while there was still time. Destruction would soon come upon them. When they turned against God, God’s judgment would soon follow (see also Amos 5:18–27). God’s judgments are real. The Holy Bible is straightforward about God’s wrath against evil and sin. God hates evil (Psalm 45:7) and ultimately He will do away with sin (Revelation 21:4–5). Sin breaks God’s heart.

Yet, warnings of God’s judgment and wrath always leave room for repentance. God wants no one to see His judgment and wrath (2 Peter 3:9) because He is full mercy, slow to anger, and filled with great kindness (Joel 2:13). Even in the midst of extreme circumstances, God wants everyone to turn their whole hearts to Him and find His help and salvation. The Holy Bible is clear that we must never be afraid to come to God in sincere honesty and humility of heart. “Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved…” (Joel 2:32).

The Lord God wants everyone to genuinely repent (2 Corinthians 7:10). He does not want an outward display of repentance, sorrow, and religious acts without a genuine heart repentance from within (1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 23:1-36; Hebrews 4:12). In ancient Israel, public expression of grief or sorrow for sin meant tearing or rending one’s clothes. Often these outward actions meant nothing more than a religious ritual without any genuine heart repentance, confession, and sorry for sin. God wants our hearts that are torn with grief and genuine confession of sins. He does not look at just our outside actions and words. Instead, God looks at our whole hearts (1 Samuel 16:7) and judges us by our inward faith, humility, and character (Psalm 51:17).

God longs to fill us with His love, grace, and heavenly blessings. Genuine heart love for God brings hope, joy, and restoration (Joel 2:18-27). God's blessings come to those who faithfully and lovingly follow Him “for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (Joel 2:13). Echoes of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness are also found at Exodus 34:6-7; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15, Psalm103:8, Psalm 145:8; and Jonah 4:2.

Sadly, some people spend hours each week keeping up their outward appearance without building up their inward heart and love for God. Even worse, some people look around at their problems and situation and never look up to God for their true help and blessings. We must all let God come into our hearts by turning to Him in total faith and love. God promises us to meet our deepest needs as we turn our whole hearts to Him. As we turn our whole hearts to God, He sends us His Holy Spirit to help us live a victorious and pleasing life (John 14 – 16; Galatians 5:22-23). So, let everyone turn to the Lord God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ now (Matthew 15:8-9)!

References
King James Version Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988.
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

God Wants Our Love

Lord God:  4 “O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight . . . . 6 I want you to show love (mercy, loyalty, devotion), not offer sacrifices. I want you to know Me (God) more than I want burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:4, 6 (NLT), see also Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7.

Do you know what God wants from us? Hosea 6 tells us that God wants our faithful and loyal love and knowledge of Him. God wants a loving, faithful and lasting relationship with us built upon complete trust and dependence in Him as the true and living God. He does not want us to trust the lie of self-sufficient strength and wisdom.

In fact, God does not want our empty and shallow religious rituals that fades away like the morning mist (Hosea 6:4). Instead, God wants us to know Him and give our lasting love to Him as God (Hosea 6:6). Worship and other religious rituals are important to God but only if done from a sincere heart of love and obedience for Him. God has never wanted our shallow religious words and deeds that are passionate one day and unloving the next. God has always wanted our genuine heart love for Him through a personal and close relationship. He does not want us to know just facts and information about Him as God. God wants to have an intimate relationship with us. One way of showing our loyal love and closeness for God is by obeying His covenant commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:5-21). Jesus summarized God’s commandments by telling His followers to love God and love people (Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; John 13:34-35). Empty religious rituals can never take the place of our sincere love and faithful obedience to God (1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:10-17; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7). Religious rituals apart from faithfulness to God and His commandments are wholly unacceptable (Jeremiah 7:21-23). Besides, our genuine love and wholehearted obedience to God brings God’s blessings (Deuteronomy 28; Proverbs 3:1-8).

Moreover, God wants everyone to genuinely turn away from sins and turn to Him with a wholehearted repentance (Psalm 51:16-17). God sees through any superficial repentance. Instead, God desires our heart cry for sincere repentance as a sinner of need of His mercy, grace, and forgiveness (Hosea 7:14; Luke 18:13). We all need God’s love and mercy every day that is found through heart faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and turning from sin. As we turn our hearts to God through faith in Jesus Christ, God sends us His Holy Spirit to live within our heart. God’s Holy Spirit help us live a life of holiness, purity, and victory (John 14:15-21, 23-29; 1 Corinthians 3:16). The Holy Spirit works within our lives to keep us away from sin and walking in God’s obedience (John 16:8, 13; Romans 8:26-27). Even more, as we truly confess and turn from our sins and turn to God with our whole hearts, God is faithful and just to forgive us (Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 1:8-9).

Finally, God does not only want us to show love to Him, but also show love to others. He wants us to live out love and mercy to others more than our sacrifices and religious rituals (see also Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7). God is always faithful and loving (Deuteronomy 33:3; Psalm 136) and He wants the same of His people. In essence, God wants us to reveal His love and His very character in the way we speak and live every day. These actions are called practices of God’s righteousness and justice (see also Amos 5:21-24).

References:
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

The Love Story

Hosea:  1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. 2 Bring your confessions (true repentance), and return to the Lord. Say to Him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer You our praises. . . . 9 Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those (right) paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:1-2, 9 (NLT).

The Book of Hosea gives God’s special message of His love. Some biblical scholars have called the Book of Hosea “the second greatest love story in the Bible.” Of course, the first greatest love story in the Bible is the incarnation, life, suffering, death, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, the message of Hosea tells of God’s timeless love and gives humans a look into the very heart of God. Revelations of God's love, faithfulness, judgment, mercy, grace, jealous, and holiness are revealed in this story. Hosea’s name means “the Lord saves.” God repeatedly sought to save His people, Israel, from their sins. Today, God’s people are those who accept by faith and obedience Jesus Christ. These people are now called the church or the Israel of God and are composed of both Jews and Gentiles (Galatians 6:16; Ephesians 2:11-22).

The Book of Hosea centers around the prophet Hosea’s love and betrayal of an unfaithful wife called Gomer. Gomer was a prostitute and sought the love of other men and not her faithful husband, Hosea. However, the Book of Hosea has more to do with humankind’s unfaithfulness and adultery to the faithful and loving God. Just as Gomer was unfaithful, Israel was unfaithful like a prostitute by seeking and loving other gods. Hosea continued to seek and love Gomer, despite her unfaithfulness. But Hosea was also very anger with Gomer. Like Hosea, God persistently sought His people with love. Yet, God was also anger with the people because of their spiritual adultery against Him. Instead of the people responding to God with love and gratitude, the people pursued others gods and other nations. God’s holiness demanded divorce and judgment for unfaithfulness. In His love and mercy, God sought and promised to forgive His unfaithful people if they would only wholeheartedly turn to Him as their God.

Moreover, the Book of Hosea addresses a time of Israel’s prosperity in the northern kingdom, also called Ephraim. Israel was experiencing boundary expansion and some Israelites amassed great wealth. Yet, Israel had decayed spiritually. Israel supported heavy taxes and oppression of the poor. Even worse, Israel turned to pagan gods and away from the true and living God of Israel. Israel was only interested in God for His material blessings and benefits and not a close and genuine heart relationship with Him as their God. The hearts of the people were empty, religion was shallow, and corruption ran rampant throughout the nation. In particular, the law was manipulated to favor the rich and religion was really just a mere show. God had blessed Israel, but they lived only for pleasure. The people had abandoned hard work, integrity and morality and lived only to please themselves. All these behaviors reflected a negligence of love for God as well as for their fellow citizens.

The prophet Hosea sent a message to the northern kingdom of Israel to return to God for their help and security and away from other gods, foreign nations, and their wealth. Only the true and living God could heal, restore, and protect Israel. Hosea warned the people that unless they truly repented of their sin and turn their whole hearts back to God, they were headed for judgment and destruction (Deuteronomy 27-28). Sadly, Israel disregarded the prophet’s warnings of God’s judgment and continued to live in total disregard for God and His commands. Israel’s northern kingdom fell to Assyria invasion and destruction in 722 B.C. and Assyria carried the northern Israelites into captivity.

God has always wanted a close and personal relationship with His people.  Since the beginning of time, God had made a covenant with humankind to be their God (see e.g., Genesis 9:8-17; Genesis 15:9-21; Genesis 17; Exodus 19-24; 2 Samuel 7:5-16). As God of the universe, He promised His faithful love, blessings, and protection for His people only if they would walk humbly, mercifully and obediently with Him as their God (see e.g., Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13). God is our loving Husband and Provider. He wants to give His intimate love to His people. God does not want to be one of many gods, but the only true and living God of our lives. We as humans are God’s bride (Isaiah 54:4-8; Ephesians 5:25-27Revelation 21:1-2). God does not want to share His bride with another god. He wants to provide everything we need as a loving Husband: food, clothing, land, peace, and security.

Sadly, sin and disobedience damage our close and personal relationship with God and breaks God’s heart. The message of Hosea teaches that as we neglect God we get into trouble (see also Proverbs 14:34). God is merciful and filled with loving kindness (e.g., Psalm 100:5; Psalm 103:13; Psalm 136). But even God and His presence will not endure if we insist on continual sin and disobedience. God may temporarily withdraw His Spirit to our sins and foolishness (Luke 15) and punish us to get our attention. But, God will always welcome us as we turn from sin and turn our whole hearts to Him. Even with His judgment of sin, God is merciful and will restore us as we truly repent and turn to Him as our God.

So, let us all reaffirm your complete devotion, commitment and love to God of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God wants our genuine, wholehearted love and allegiance to Him as the true and living God of the universe (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). Only God can truly satisfy the deep desires of our hearts and not money, possessions nor activities. All the more, only God can provide us true protection and safety, and not our wealth, military power nor foreign alliances. Like Israel, God promises to forgive our sins as we turn our whole hearts to Him in faith and belief. The Book of Hosea shows that God longs not to punish but to love us. Let everyone turn their hearts to God!

Total Commitment

Joshua:  14 "So now: Fear (reverence, respect) GOD. Worship (serve) Him in total commitment. Get rid of the gods your ancestors worshiped on the far side of The River (the Euphrates) and in Egypt. You, worship GOD. 15 "If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve—and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD." 16 The people answered, "We'd never forsake GOD! Never! We'd never leave GOD to worship other gods. 17 "GOD is our God! He brought up our ancestors from Egypt and from slave conditions. He did all those great signs while we watched. He has kept His eye on us all along the roads we've traveled and among the nations we've passed through. 18 Just for us He drove out all the nations, Amorites and all, who lived in the land. Count us in: We too are going to worship GOD. He's our God." 19 Then Joshua told the people: "You can't do it; you're not able to worship GOD. He is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He won't put up with your fooling around (rebellion) and sinning. 20 When you leave GOD and take up the worship of foreign gods, He'll turn right around and come down on you hard. He'll put an end to you—and after all the good He has done for you!" 21 But the people told Joshua: "No! No! We worship GOD!" 22 And so Joshua addressed the people: "You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen GOD for yourselves—to worship Him." And they said, "We are witnesses." 23 Joshua said, "Now get rid of all the foreign gods you have with you. Say an unqualified Yes (yield your hearts) to GOD, the God of Israel." 24 The people answered Joshua, "We will worship GOD. What He says, we'll do." Joshua 24:14-24 (The Message Bible).

Joshua 24 records Joshua’s final words to the Israelites at Shechem. He challenged the people to make a sensible choice. The people had to choose whether they would love and worship the true and living God with total commitment or other gods of the land. In taking a strong stand for God, Joshua made a total and wholehearted commitment to love and worship the true and living God of Israel. Likewise, Joshua called on the people to put away their idols and gods (Joshua 24:14) and to love and worship the true and living God above all other gods (Joshua 24:23).

God desires and demands our total allegiance and commitment to Him (Exodus 20:3-11; Hosea 2:13). There is only one God and only one true faith taught in the Holy Scriptures. The true God is the God revealed in Jesus Christ (John 17). Yet, our world wants to accept many religions or combine aspects of one religion to another (Romans 1:18-25). These actions are called syncretism and are not new. Ancient Israel was constantly tempted to absorb or combine Canaanite worship of fertility gods and goddesses into the worship of God. Moreover, the first century Roman world worshipped many gods and all sorts of cults flourished. Gnosticism found in the first century Roman world is similar to the modern day New Age movement.

God is “a jealous God” (Exodus 20:5; Deuteronomy 4:24; Joshua 24:19) and He will not tolerate rivals. He does not want to be one of several gods in our lives. The true and living God wants to be Lord of all with our total heart commitment to Him (Exodus 20:3). Even more, God will not tolerate unfaithfulness and idolatry. Other gods or idols can also be money, jealousies, prejudices, status, or fame. Yet, seeking these idols and other gods can cause one to lose sight of the meaning of life and of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). The true meaning of life is to love and obey God (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 22:34-40). God wants our total commitment, which means our wholehearted love, faithfulness, and allegiance to Him as God (Joshua 24:14, 23). He wants everyone to make a sincere and honest commitment to Him first from the heart (Matthew 6:33). God wants a personal and close relationship as their God. The true and living God of the Holy Scriptures desires to be love, respected, and worshiped first and foremost (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 6:33).

Worshipping other gods or idols is spiritual adultery (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 2). Idolatry means any object of love, affection, and worship that comes before God. The apostle Paul seemingly enlarged the meaning of idolatry to include covetousness and greed (Colossian 3:5). In fact, the Holy Scriptures are clear about the evil and dangers of practicing idolatry (see e.g., Psalms 115:4-7; Isaiah 44:9-20; Jeremiah 2; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Corinthians 10:14, 19-21; 1 John 5:19-21). None is more graphic and devastating than that in Isaiah 44:9-20. The idol is made by a man but is powerless to help the man. The idol begins as a piece of a tree and made into a god. Thus, the man worships no more than a block of wood. God is Spirit (John 4:24). One of the prominent and distinguishing features of the true and living God is the reflection of His divine image found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15-23). God desires our true spiritual worship from our hearts, minds, and souls and not to any “… graven image…” or idol (Exodus 20:4-5; Exodus 32).

Joshua was not the only person to encourage the people to wholeheartedly follow God. Moses challenged the people to wholeheartedly worship God (see Deuteronomy 30:15-20). Moses encouraged the people to choose

“. . . between life and death, between blessings and curses. . . . Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land . . .” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – New Living Translation).

Moreover, Elijah challenged the Israelites on Mount Carmel, “. . . How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow Him …” (I King 18:21 – The Message). Hosea also challenged the people and prophesied “Israel, have nothing to do with idols. I, the Lord, am the One who answers your prayers and watches over you. I am like a green pine tree; your blessings come from Me. . . . The Lord’s ways are right. Good people live by following them . . .” (Hosea 14:8-9 – New Century Version). Moreover, the apostle Paul challenged the people “So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides…” (Colossians 3:1 Message Bible).  

Yet, humans are unable to totally worship God without God’s help (Joshua 24:19). By choosing God, He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us obey and serve Him while on earth (John 14 – 16). God had chosen Joshua to lead Israel because Joshua had the Holy Spirit within His heart to obey, serve God and lead Israel (Numbers 11:16-30; Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9). Joshua was concerned for God’s glory, obedience to God, and the benefit of the people. We too can obtain God’s Holy Spirit just like Joshua by turning our hearts to God with love, openness, and a desire to follow Him as our God. God says, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit" (Zechariah 4:6; see also Hosea 1:7). Humans can only through God's Holy Spirit obey and faithfully serve God. With God and His Holy Spirit on our sides, we can do anything (Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 10:27)!
 

God's Love

3 The Lord surely loves His people and takes care of all those who belong to Him. Deuteronomy 33:3 (NCV).

God loves you! He loves you so much and He wants a relationship with you (John 3:16). God is love (1 John 4:8-12). Even more, the Holy Bible speaks of God’s desire for humankind’s love, worship, and commitment to Him as the living God, humankind's Creator and Redeemer. To receive God’s love, we only need to believe in God and accept Him as the true and living God of our lives.

Often, the Holy Bible speaks of God’s love and commitment to humankind (e.g., Deuteronomy 33:3; Psalm 136:1). The complete expression of God’s love is found the amazing grace and overwhelming love that He showed to all the world by saving humans who deserve only conviction at the tremendous cost of Jesus Christ's death on the Cross at Calvary (Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:5-8; Romans 8:32-39; Ephesians 2:1-10; Ephesians 3:14-18; Ephesians 5:25-27). Even more, God’s compassion and love never fails and “Great is His faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23). Though God's ways of expressing His love are sometimes astonishing and confusing, the final testament of those who faithfully walk with God through life's ups and downs is that "every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed" (Joshua 23:14-15).

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” 25 The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. Lamentations 3:22-25 (NLT).

 

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since He did not spare even His own Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?. . . 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-32, 38-39 (NLT).

To learn more of God’s faithful love, one must read the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is God’s love letter to the world and discusses God’s dealing with humankind throughout the years. In the Bible, we learn of God’s truth. The Holy Bible contains sixty-six books, thirty-nine written before Jesus Christ’s birth and twenty-seven after Jesus Christ’s death. The Holy Bible was written by human authors and all that Holy Bible writers teach should be respected. These sixty-six books are "God-breathed" meaning that these books are a product of God's Holy Spirit ("breath") and written to help all people live a divine life (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). All of the Holy Bible’s contents—histories, prophecies, poems, songs, wisdom writings, sermons, statistics, letters, and whatever else—should be received as from God. Many faithful leaders and ordinary people of God have found the Holy Bible as their guidebook for hope, encouragement, and guidance (Joshua 1:7-8; 2 Kings 17:13; 2 Kings 22:8-13; 1 Chronicles 22:12-13; Nehemiah 8; Psalm 119).
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Romans 15:4 (NLT).

Reference
Packer, J. I. Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs. 2001.

The Courageous Faith of Caleb

Does God Command Holy War?

Following Jesus

6 Jesus answered, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. The only way to (God) the Father is through Me." John 14:6 (NCV), see also Acts 4:12 and Hebrews 10:19-20.

One of the main purposes of the Holy Bible is to help people understand and accept the call to follow Jesus. Following Jesus means we get a NEW LIFE and a better life (2 Corinthians 5:17) empowered by God’s Holy Spirit (John 15:26; Galatians 5:22–26). For some, following Jesus can be difficult (Mark 10:24-25), while others find following Jesus relatively easy (Mark 2:14–15; Luke 7:36–50). In either case, God provides His grace through the Holy Spirit to help us in our journey to follow Jesus (Mark 10:27; John 14:17). Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to His followers to encourage, instruct, and strengthen them every day with life’s challenges and struggles (John 14:16–17, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7, 13).

Following Jesus requires a simple few steps: (1) a sincere commitment to turn away from sin and unhealthy habits (Mark 8:34–38; Romans 10:9-10); (2) trusting one’s life wholeheartedly  to Jesus in faith (Mark 1:15; Mark 5:34-36; Mark 10:52); (3) repenting of sins (Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12); and (4) total allegiance and loyalty to Jesus even above loyalty to one’s own family and friends (Luke 14:25-35). Jesus demands absolute and total commitment to Him as Lord and Savior (Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:57–62).  In fact, following Jesus may cost you friends, money, popularity, leisure time, or sports and hobbies. 

God found in Jesus is worthy of all our love, affections, and worship (John 3:16-18).  All the more, God demands that He comes first in every area of our lives, even our families (Matthew 6:33).  Yet, the benefits of following Jesus greatly outweigh any temporary earthly sacrifices. Following Jesus is an eternal investment that will bring enormous rewards (Mark 8:35; Revelation 2:7, 10, 17, 26–28; Revelation 3:5, 12, 21). One day, all faithful believers will go to heaven to be with God (John 14:2–3). 

In addition, Jesus wants all believers to live sanctified or holy lives as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2; John 17:17). Believers are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). Believers become sanctified (set apart for sacred use, cleansed and made holy) through faith in Jesus’ life and death (Romans 3:21–29; Hebrews 9:9–15) and obeying the Word of God (John 1:1–3; Hebrews 4:12). The Word of God is God’s truth. Daily application of God’s Word purifies our minds and hearts. Most important, obedience to God’s Word proves our wholehearted love for Him as our God (John 15:1-17).

Jesus wants everyone to turn from sin and trust Him as Lord and Savior by faith (Luke 18:15–17). Faith means complete dependence, trust, and obedience (see Joshua 1). Only by being connected with Jesus through faith can anyone have eternal life and power for living. Receiving Jesus through faith is the beginning of a new life. Believers can stay connected to Jesus by committing their life to Him (Romans 12:1–2); seeking Him through Bible study, prayer, and worship (Colossians 3:16); regular church attendance with other believers (Hebrews 10:24–25); and asking the Holy Spirit to help with daily living and other challenges (Acts 1:8; Galatians 5:22).

So, let everyone follow Jesus because Jesus is the only way to a happy life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 10:19-20).

God’s Protections

9 Joshua traveled all night from Gilgal and took the Amorite armies by surprise. 10 The Lord threw them (Israel’s enemies) into a panic (confusion), and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As the Amorites retreated down the road from Beth-horon, the Lord destroyed them with a terrible hailstorm from heaven that continued until they reached Azekah. The hail killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword. 12 On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day. 14 There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day! Joshua 10:9-14 (NLT).

After Israel’s defeat of Jericho and Ai, the reputation of Israel’s conquering army under the leadership of Joshua spread throughout the rest of Canaan (God’s Promised Land).  From this point, Israel faced an alliance of united cites rather than one city at a time. Israel would eventually fight against a southern coalition of forces (Joshua 10) and then a northern coalition of forces (Joshua 11). The southern coalition of forces included the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. However, Gibeon of the Hivites decided to break from the southern coalition of forces.

Gibeon and its people lived in important cities, like one of the royal cities, in the southern region. Moreover, Gibeon was larger than Ai, and all its men were good fighters (Joshua 10:2). The Gibeonite cities occupied what would come to be called Bethlehem. The people of Gibeon heard of God’s protection of His people Israel and Israel’s victories (Joshua 9:9-10). These people knew God was fighting for Israel, and no army could resist God (Joshua 10:14). So, the Gibeonites sought peace with Joshua and the Israelites (Joshua 10:4: Joshua 11:19). However, Gibeon people deceitfully hide their true identity as Hivities of Canaan and disguised themselves as being from a far of country to make peace with God’s people. (Deut. 20:10-11). So, Gibeon hid their identity to deceive Israel and save themselves destruction. However, Gibeon’s surrender to Israel gave Israel four Hivite cities (Joshua 9:17; Joshua 10:2) and placed Israel in the central highlands of Canaan close to Jerusalem. The Gibeonites also became Israel’s servants and God’s people (see also 2 Samuel 21:1–15). Furthermore, the Gibeonites and Rahab’s household were the only people in Canaan that made peace with God and His people and received God’s grace, mercy and salvation from utter destruction (Joshua 2:12-14; Joshua 6:22-25; Joshua 11:19-20; see also Luke 15). The Gibeonites and Rahab surrendered to the one true and living God, became reconciled to God and part of His people (Matthew 1:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5).

Nonetheless, the author of Joshua points out that for the second time Joshua acted without seeking God for guidance (Joshua 9:14). The first time was at Ai (Joshua 7:2-4). The initial defeat at Ai should have taught Joshua and Israel the importance of seeking God first and His guidance (Joshua 7:2). God is the real hero of the Book of Joshua and the Commander (Joshua 5:13–15).

After the Gibeonites surrender to Joshua and Israel, five kings of Canaan created a coalition strategy to recapture Gibeon because of Gibeon’s central location in Canaan (Joshua 10:5). The people of Gibeon were now a part of God’s people and Israel came to help the Gibeon people (Joshua 9:15; Joshua 10:6-7). As at Jericho, God spoke to Joshua to affirm him and Israel that He had also given the five Canaanite kings and their cities into Joshua’s hand (Joshua 10:8). So Joshua led Israel into battle and God led the way (Joshua 10:9). Even more amazing, God threw the Canaanite people into panic and confusion before Israel. God threw large hailstones down from heaven on the southern Canaanite armies. In essence, God personally fought for Israel using nature as His weapons of war to defend His people from enemy attack (Joshua 10:10-11; see also Job 38:22-23). Then, God listened to Joshua’s prayer for help and even stopped the sun from setting so Joshua and Israel would have more time to defeat Israel’s enemy in battle (Joshua 10:12-14). God made the sun and moon stand still!

Joshua 10:12-14 describes one of God’s spectacular miracles on earth.  On this day, Joshua prayed aloud to God and asked God to "Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and let the moon stand in its place over the valley of Aijalon!" (Joshua 10:12 (TLB)). So, God ordered the sun to stand still, and the moon stopped, until Joshua and Israel had defeated their enemies.  So, the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day (Joshua 10:12-13). With this event, God revealed to the Canaanites that He was the true, living, and all-powerful God of heaven and earth. Israel’s God was dominant over any of the gods of Canaan.

But how could the sun stand still? From a scientific standpoint, the sun always stands still in relation to earth as the earth travels around the sun. Many explanations have been given for this miraculous event. Some scholars have argued that God slowed earth's normal rotation on the earth’s axis to give Joshua more time to fight. Other scholars argue that God sent an unusual refraction of the sun's rays to give Joshua additional hours of light, while other scholars argue a solar eclipse occurred on this day. Regardless of God's chosen method, the Holy Bible is clear that Joshua experienced the longest day in recorded history (Joshua 10:14). Even more, we know that God hears and response to the genuine prayers of help from His people (see also Luke 11:1-13; Luke 18:1-8)! From this battle, Joshua and Israel now had conquered the central and southern regions of Canaan (God’s Promised Land) for His people.

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31 (NLT).

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

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).

 

Fear!

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “. . . . 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. . . .” Joshua 1:1, 5-7 (NLT).

In the first chapter of the Book of Joshua, God repeated to Joshua three times to be “strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).  Just to assure Joshua did not forget, the people of Israel also told Joshua to be “strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:18). Fear and unbelief often weakens our strength and faith in God. Yet, God remained Joshua of His continuous presence (Joshua 1:5) to give Joshua the confidence to trust in Him and His Word (Joshua 1:7-8).

As believers of Jesus Christ, we too have the promise of God’s daily presence with us. Therefore, we must also be “strong and courageous” to trust God and live our lives according to God’s Word. God’s Word is a treasure chest of instruction, inspiration, and wisdom. Most important, God’s Word helps us understand and learn the heart and mind of God.

All believers of Jesus Christ have become a part of “the Israel of God” or the people of God (Galatians 6:16). God promises all His people that He will never leave them nor forsake them. This was Jesus Christ's promises just before He ascended and return to heaven (Matthew 28:20). The reality of this presence is evident in the fact that God has given His people the Holy Spirit of Jesus (John 14:15-17). So let everyone be “strong and courageous”.

Reference
Coleson, Joseph. Joshua, Judges, Ruth. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Tyndale House, 2012.

Strong and Courageous

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant (aide). He (the Lord) said, “ . . . 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey (do or observe) all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful (or act wisely) in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction (the Law) continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1, 5-9 (NLT).

After 40 of wandering in the wilderness, Joshua led a new generation of Israelites into the Promise Land (also called Canaan). Joshua had a spirit and heart for God (Numbers 27:18). He had a wholehearted devotion, faith, and love for the one true and living God (Joshua 24:15; see Genesis 26:5).  As one of the 12 spies to first enter Canaan (Numbers 13 – 14), only he and Caleb believed and trusted that God would help Israel triumph and possess the Promised Land.

God had promised the patriarchs of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) that the people of Israel would possess this great land (see e.g., Genesis 12:1-7; Genesis 15:12-20; Genesis 17:7-8; Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Genesis 28:13-14; Exodus 32:13). Furthermore, God repeated this promise to Moses (Exodus 3:6-8; Exodus 13:3-5; Numbers 14:30–31; Deuteronomy 1:6-8; Deuteronomy 6:10-19). God always keeps His promises, as the Book of Joshua illustrates (Joshua 23:14).

God instructed Joshua to constantly mediate, study, and do God’s Word (Joshua 1:7-8). God’s presence and His success come by daily obeying and doing God’s Word (Joshua 1:7; see also Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 11:8-9, 22-25; Deuteronomy 29:9; John 15:1-17). By faith and obedience to God, God’s people are victorious in spite of great challenges and obstacles (see also Deuteronomy 31:1-8). Victory comes from the power of God that is released when we obey God by faith. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37)!

But before Joshua and the people could enter this great land and obtain God’s promise, God gave both Joshua and the nation teaching on the importance of obedience, courage, and faith in Him. As God appointed Joshua as the new leader, God’s instruction to Joshua to be “strong and very courageous” is repeated from Deuteronomy 31:6, 7, 23 and Joshua 1: 6-7, 9, 18 (see also Joshua 10:25). The Divine instruction from God is for a courageous faith centered on obeying God’s Word. True and lasting success comes from daily meditating, study, and doing God’s Word as one’s lifestyle (Psalm 1:2-3). God wanted Joshua and the people to be confident in Him and His Word. Without God and God’s guidance, Joshua and the people would not succeed (Proverbs 16:9). God’s victory can be claimed only by obedience, courage, and faith in God. God encouraged Joshua by giving His promise (Joshua 1:6) and His presence (Joshua 1:3, 5, 9) but his success came from obeying God’s Word (Joshua 1:7–8).

Thirty-nine years earlier, the people had an opportunity to enter the Promised Land. However, the previous generation was filled with fear and lack of faith in God (Numbers 13-14). As a result of their lack of faith and fear, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness desert for 40 years. The earlier Israelites failed to realize that obedience, courage, and faith in God brought victory (see also 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16-19; Isaiah 1:11-15; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 9:13). As we faithfully obey and trust God, God is with us (Matthew 28:20; John 14:15-17). But we must first love, seek, and obey God and ask God to direct our daily paths (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:33).