Remember when Abraham received the command to circumcize the men? This was to set the Israelites apart as God's covenant people. This generation had been wandering the desert for 40 years and didn't do the circumcision. The Lord told Joshua that it was time for this generation to do it (set themselves apart). They celebrated the Passover for the third time in history....the manna stopped because it was no longer needed. The people were able to eat food from the Promised Land!
Now, check this out....an angel is the commander of the Lord's army!! Verse 14 cross references Genesis 18:2 when angels appeared to Abraham. How can you lose with an angel leading your army, huh? The people knew that God had already delivered Jericho into Israel's hands...there is some confidence building. Now we are getting into the stories from my Sunday School! If the Lord told you to do something you thought was stupid, would you do it anyway? Can you imagine how the people might have felt silently marching around fortified city walls.....and then being told to yell on the 7th day and blow trumpets....would you do it in faith?
PS remember the warning about rebuilding the walls of Jericho, cuz sure enough...some fool will try!!!
The Lord warns the people that the spoils of Ai are for the Lord's treasury (to build the temple) and not to take any or they could subject Israel to destruction......seems like there has to be one in every bunch and Archan keeps some treasures and clothing. Ai is not defeated.....remember that the Lord always warns what will happen so you have a choice to obey or not....Archan pays the ultimate consequence and is stoned along with his family (purge all evil from among you).....so how would you like to live in a culture where your family is responsible for your actions and vice versa?
In a way we do live in a culture where we are held responsible for our family's actions....or at least judged.....I have known of many who have been judged and outcasted by some because of some family member .....drug abuse, divorce, jail, .... One person has drug issues or other addiction, or goes to jail or some other instance and the other family members are treated differently because of this. People judge when they shouldn't. I am glad we are not stoned for others actions, but the emotional pain can be the same today.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bonnie.
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