Bible Reading Reflection from Joshua 13-18

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟛:𝟚𝟚

"The sons of Israel also killed Balaam the son of Beor, the diviner, with the sword among the rest of their slain."

The highly esteemed Reverend Balaam was used by God mightily. He even was a great service to the whole people of God. He had invoked blessing from heaven upon the people of Israel at least 3 times.

Who wouldn't like to have the power, privilege, and influence of Balaam? Well, Balaam was killed by the Israelites whom he had blessed before! And the NT has presented Balaam as someone who apostatized for material gain.

Guard against greed, materialism, and apostasy.

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟜

"Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully."

Wonderful story! Caleb, an 85-years old grandfather determined to conquer Hebron. This is not an ordinary stronghold. It's a land of Anakim, the giants! It's like trying to steal meat from the dens of lions! Well, Caleb trusted God's promise to Abraham, marched out, and won the war.

He is a descendant of Judah. And Hebron belongs to the descendants of Judah, which was promised by God to Abraham. Years later, David became king in Hebron and reigned there as his capital.

An act of a faithful determined old man fighting against the giants paid off well! We need people like Caleb, a man with a spine, a man with a backbone.

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟝:𝟞𝟛

"Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day."

It's Jerusalem. Battle for Jerusalem. And it continues till today!

The Israelites were commanded to conquer Jerusalem. It's a sin not to conquer. Judges 1 recorded all the failures of Israelites to conquer the land. To conquer requires a lot of courage. To have courage requires a lot of conviction from the commandment of God. Apparently, Spiritual Walk with God had declined!

The inhabitants of Jerusalem were not weaklings. Even if they were weaklings, to drive someone out from his own home is not easy, he will do anything to defend his home and family members!

Actually, Joshua 10 recorded that they have conquered once, but the inhabitants recaptured again. Judges 1:8 also mentioned that the children of Judah set the city on fire (2nd conquest?). Also, Judges 1:21 mentioned again that the sons of Benjamin didn't drive out the Jebusites. Centuries later, David conquered Jerusalem and became his capital.

When God commands us to do something and we don't do it, it's a sin. For whatever He commands, he also gives the ability to do it. Instead of being courageous, they were complacent cowards.

Now, whose city is Jerusalem? Should the Israelites conquer again??? Hmmm!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟞:𝟙𝟘

"But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day, and they became forced laborers."

Another chapter, recording the failure of the children of Israel – failing to drive the Canaanites away. The consequence is they lived along with them, and they [Canaanites] would be a thorn in the flesh later on!

It serves as a perfect analogy of our battle with sin in our life. God commands us to kill sin (not just to avoid, but to kill). It's an everyday war until we are taken to glory.

Conquering some sin and letting some sin alive will be the Canaanites of our life. When it comes to sin, it is [must be] a zero-tolerance policy [said, Owen Strachan]. Like Samuel hacking Agag into pieces [said, MacArthur in one of his sermons].

The Israelites were not walking with God faithfully. Resulting in a loss of confidence, conviction, and courage to conquer!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟟-𝟙𝟠

"Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, saying, "You are a numerous people and have great power; you shall not have one lot only, but the hill country shall be yours. For though it is a forest, you shall clear it, and to its farthest borders it shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, even though they have chariots of iron and though they are strong."

The Canaanites were strong, but the children of Joseph are numerous too. Sure, some have to die in the fighting! 😬 The habitable land may be small, but they can clear out the forest and settle down.

BTW, Joshua didn't suggest them to decrease the population but told them to clear the forest. Try texting this verse to environmentalists! 😂

Hard work, sweat, and blood are what Joshua requires of them, not an easy solution; lottery, not redistribution of lands and wealth. Something poor countries (also as individuals) should think about!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟠:𝟛

"So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, ‘How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?’"

It's war, not peace. It's annihilation, not toleration. It's a divine project, not a devilish one. It sounds and looks horrific, grim, and cruel. Yes, to give credit to Richard Dawkins, God looks like a sadomasochistic being! Well, let Paul be remembered that let every man on earth be a liar and God be true. Indeed, mankind crucified Jesus because they thought Jesus was ungodly, blasphemous, unholy, and controversial!

The old octogenarian Joshua was appalled that the younger generations were not willing: to lay down their lives for the cause of freedom from the thorns of Canaanites; to work hard to subdue the land for prosperity and well-being of themselves and their children!

Indeed, we humans tend to take things for granted. The foundation which was laid through sweats and blood, the next generation would not continue. . . but give up so easily...

My dad built the most beautiful home in my village, and it stood out for a decade, and we, his children were so quick to abandon home, and even suggested to be given away to one of my aunts who has been a widow!

Bible Reading Reflection from Joshua 7-12

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟟:𝟚𝟘-𝟚𝟙

"So Achan answered Joshua and said, ‘Truly, I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I 𝕤𝕒𝕨 among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I 𝕔𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕕 them and 𝕥𝕠𝕠𝕜 them; and behold, they are 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕔𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕕 in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.’"

The first time this story was impressed upon my memory was in one of the few classes of Sunday School I had ever attended. The 2nd time was in SSEU, its former president, Phajathang was preaching on this story. [He was preaching from a small pocket size Bible.]

Notice the progress of sin in this confession: the verbs, his actions — Saw, coveted, took, concealed.

And the battle was lost. Numbers of Israelites died. He himself was stoned to death, even his family members were!

I remember the similar progress of sins mentioned in the book of James as well. BTW, MacArthur Study Bible noted that David's sin is identical to this sin of Achan!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟠-𝟝-𝟞

"Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them. They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, 'They are fleeing before us as at the first.' So we will flee before them."

This surprise attack seems to be the ultimate battle strategy for the Israelites. They did like that in the war of Benjamites as well. Even present-day Israel seems to rely on this strategy — a deceptive (surprise attack) strategy.

The recent clash with Hamas as well. The Israelites pretend to do a military ground invasion. The whole international media was led to believe it so. Even I believed so. 😎😂 Then they did a surprise airstrike. That's how they won the six-day war of 1967 as well, against 3 countries.

Maybe North East underground factions should use this strategy as well! 😂

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟡:𝟙𝟜

"So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD."

What a blunder! What a tragedy! What a sin!

They had just won a war; perhaps, that went into their heads. They were favored by Yahweh; perhaps, that made them familiar with God. Familiarity breeds Complacency. The stupidity of the leaders of Israelites demonstrates the plight of everyone.

The first time I decided to visit a bank, I prayed earnestly [for God] to help me out. The first time I was about to do anything I took it seriously. And then... Gibeonites always show up. Gibeonites are everywhere that's why we [need to] always pray, [need to] ask God.

Moses didn't glorify God though he performed God's miracle; God banned him from entering the Promised Land. It's easy to do the things of God, yes, even the righteous and godly things without prayer; and that is sin.

If I step into the pulpit without much prayer, even after my 20-40 hours of preparation, and even if it transforms the life of my listeners, I am still in sin!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟘:𝟙𝟙

"As they fled from before Israel, while they were at the descent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died; there were more who died from the hailstones than those whom the sons of Israel killed with the sword."

I almost remember everything I was taught in Sunday School. And that's because I attended Sunday School maybe just 2,3 times. 😂

One story that I remember so well is this story of Joshua 10: God throwing stones from heaven! Hmm, I still am thinking what I was thinking then! And it is fascinating: God selectively killing the enemies with stones from heaven!

God can really do what He wants to do!

If I were God, I would kill them by a different method! Certainly not by throwing stones. It sounds ridiculous!

God's amazing work may come through ridiculous means, sometimes. Let's not expect only "great" things from God.

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟙:𝟙𝟛-𝟙𝟜

"However, Israel did not burn any cities that stood on their mounds, except Hazor alone, which Joshua burned. All the spoil of these cities and the cattle, the sons of Israel took as their plunder; but they struck every man with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them. They left no one who breathed."

God is a misogynistic megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully to those who are disobedient, like Richard Dawkins. But to those who are obedient, His laws are not burdensome (1John 5:3)

Achan hid a tiny amount of spoil of Ai, and was stoned to death along with his family members! Then here, in the Israelites’ next conquest, they were allowed to take the spoil and keep the houses and properties. There's a time to avoid and a time to accept. A time to offer and a time to receive. A time to sacrifice and a time to celebrate.

It's not difficult for those who listen to God. See, Achan was singled out among thousands of Israelites as if to make a point that it was clear and easy to trust God, because every one of them obeyed, except for this Achan. In fact, it can be said like that for any act of [our] disobedience. Now, the obedient Israelites got all the homes and spoils, while the disobedient Achan perished with his family!

Even in the parable of the wedding feast, the master singled out only one person, an improperly dressed guy to be thrown out. What about all those filthy and uncivilized beggars from the highways and byways? Again, the point is: it's unthinkable to disobey God or to distrust God because God is so awesome and good!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙𝟚:𝟙

"Now these are the kings of the land whom the sons of Israel defeated, and whose land they possessed beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, from the valley of the Arnon as far as Mount Hermon, and all the Arabah to the east:"

Listed are 31 kings the Israelites had defeated, but only a few selective accounts are recorded in the Scripture.

The Bible history is not a random account of past events, it has a theme, purpose, and pointed application for all readers.

Even John the apostle did the same thing with his gospel, mentioning only 7 miracles, 7 statements of I AM, and 7 witnesses! It even has 7x3 chapters 😂

Bible Reading Reflection from Joshua 1-6

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day] 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟙:𝟚

"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel."

“Moses is dead”

The Israelites disobeyed even Moses, now, he is dead, what will they do? God slaughtered Israelites even in the shepherding care of Moses. Now Moses is dead, what would become of the people? God was angry even with Moses. What would become of a mere successor?

Well, Moses is dead, but not God. His program is not dead nor His promise. So "Arise!"

God has repeatedly told Joshua to be courageous. In the last verse of this chapter, even the people asked Joshua to be courageous! Courage is what defines a leader. As Winston Churchill says, "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because, as has been said, it is the quality which guarantees all others."

There's aren't many courageous men of God. There aren't many courageous leaders. How do we have the courage? Of course, by having confidence in God. By having strong conviction from the word of God (cf. v8)

RC Sproul's wife was asked recently in the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Ligonier Ministry about the legacy of Sproul she would like people to remember. She said, "Courageous" and lamented that not many people are courageous to stand up for sound doctrine. She even broke down!

I always feel the need for a regular dose of courage too, because "Moses is dead!"

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟚:𝟙𝟚

"Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's household, and give me a pledge of truth."

A good business deal! But only that she was putting everything on the table, her life, her family, her relatives, her future, her faith, her custom, her religion, her loyalty, everything. Rahab was a changed woman. Her land was utterly destroyed, her people were killed, her religion was desecrated, but she chose to take the side of Israel and Yahweh!

What other business deal can she think of? No other way. She lived in a city of imminent and inevitable destruction! She herself seemed to be the worst candidate being a harlot. Well, of course, to demonstrate the trophy of God's Grace.

And what did she do? Just hiding the spies. And what did she get? Oh! Evangelist Matthew listed here in the hall of the ancestry of Jesus Christ, the great Redeemer. The writer of Hebrews also included Rahab in the hall of faith!

Well, that's our conversion too. "Trading dirt for gold" in the words of Steve Lawson. Or in the words of Jesus, “selling everything to buy a land where a treasure is hidden!”

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟛:𝟙𝟟

"And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan."

They were told to stand still, and they stood firm. They were told to step into the overflowing Jordan River, and as they stepped in, the river bed dried, and they stood still on the dried riverbed. They were the first ones to step in and the last ones to get out.

The company of Israel would have seen them standing in the entrance of the crossing, carrying the ark of Yahweh! What a sight it must have been! The dried ground, the water on each side, the exalted man of God Joshua, and the sight of the priests faithfully standing firm with the ark of Yahweh!

The priests stood firm, while others are crossing! The priests stood firm, allowing others to cross. The priests stood firm because they are told to. The priests stood firm because that's the only means! The priests stood firm, and the nation of Israel had a successful crossing of the Jordan River!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟜:𝟚𝟜

"That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

This is the first mention of memorial stones setting up in the book of Joshua. At least 7 memorial stones were set up. The purpose of this memorial stone is that they will fear Yahweh, their God.

I don't know why memorial stones are set up in our days!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟝:𝟚

"At that time the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.’"

God has the habit of asking [people] to do unlikely things! He told Abraham to butcher his son. He asked Naman to do “up-down” 7 times in the Jordan River. He asked the widow of Zarephath to give the last morsel to Elijah! Even our Lord Jesus spat on mud, pasted in the blind man's eyes, and asked him to go to the pool of Siloam! Hmm, the list goes on and on...

Even here, the Israelites had crossed the Jordan River. The battle of Jericho is about to happen. Then, God asked them to do circumcision. Circumcision is a painful thing; it takes several days to recover, heal, and be back to normal. They must be wallowing in pain. The enemies could walk in and speared all of them to death! Well, their protection is from Yahweh, not because they are strong enough to protect themselves. This indeed is one of the contrasting points.

If the Lord is allowing me to through an unlikely situation, maybe it means God is about to [do] something. Need to keep trusting, in obedience!

 

𝕁𝕆𝕊ℍ𝕌𝔸 𝟞:𝟜

"Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets."

What a ridiculous battle strategy! But the most ridiculous thing of God is more effective and wiser than the wisest plan of man!

I was told about a man who couldn't make his crush fall in love with him. He went to his pastor for a counselling and prayer. His pastor opened the Bible randomly but prayerfully. It landed on Joshua chapter 6. So, he suggested him to march around her [crush’s] house for 6 days, and 7 times on the 7th day, and then to propose her!

He thought it was ridiculous, but it was told to him by the man of God ("pastor") so he did! And what do you think? 😂

Well, that's not how we read the Bible, nor the way to apply the narrative of the Bible! However, if God tells us to do that, sure, we should; but God has never told us to do like that!

Bible Reading Reflection from Deuteronomy 26-34

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (KD), a reading update (reflection) from one chapter of the Bible a day]

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟚𝟞:𝟙𝟘

"Now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, O LORD have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God, and worship before the LORD your God."

Gratefulness shown from the heart. Grateful not only to God but being gracious and generous to others as well!

Ritualism will pay all the tithes, and maybe even more than tithes, but it takes a real grateful heart to be generous to others especially to those who will never be able to give us or help us back.

Last time, @Pastor Ezekiel was saying that he used to cry when he listened to the song, "Who am I?" Indeed, who are we that God continues to shower his mercy and grace!!!?

Lord, cast away grumbling, complaining, and dissatisfaction from my heart, and set me to be grateful with everything going on, seeing I have you as my God both in heaven and on earth!

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟚𝟟:𝟙𝟞

"’Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’"

I always thought we loved our parents more when we are younger. Well, I don't know how children love their parents when they grew older and older [I am still not that old].

In my case, I think I loved my parents when I was a child for my selfish wants and needs, for their love. Nowadays, I am increasingly realizing how I really need to honor them and make them really joyful, which I haven't done yet!

Indeed, how stupid and how wicked is a man who does not honor his parents! And, I am afraid, I myself am not far from that!

Let's encourage one another to honor our parents!

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟚𝟠:𝟞𝟛

"It shall come about that as the LORD delighted over you to prosper you, and multiply you, so the LORD will delight over you to make you perish and destroy you; and you will be torn from the land where you are entering to possess it."

There's no neutral ground: blessings or curses. There's no as it is: blessings or curses. The preaching of the Gospel is consequential too: Salvation or Damnation.

We must share [proclaim] the Gospel to our friends, to anyone in that way, that the Gospel is not an improvement to their lifestyle, but the lifeline, because destruction is coming! Get saved or you shall perish in your sins!

If that's difficult to communicate, learn from Ray Comfort on YouTube. Search his videos.

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟚𝟡:𝟚𝟡

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law."

This is one of the most favorite scripture portions for Bible teachers! 😂

Indeed, there are sorts too difficult for us, nay, impossible for us to understand. And there are some sorts we shouldn't even try to know about it. Knowledge is not everything.

Whatever is revealed to us, that [may it] be our delight. We must use the revealed knowledge to discern our way: to confirm obedience, and to fear of going astray. We must use the revealed knowledge to comfort us in distresses and convict us [when] in sin!

The revealed knowledge is sufficient for our existence on earth to fulfill our purpose in the most meaningful, happy, and glorious way!

May we learn to find sufficiency in God's revelation!

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟛𝟘:𝟙𝟙

"For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach."

It's not easy to follow God, but not too difficult as well. God's commandments are not burdensome, says Apostle John.

If we love God, His commandments are delightful. If we fear (afraid) God, His commandments are troublesome. Even a child can and is a follower of God. His commandments are lighter than the commandments of the law and sin. It's lighter than the law of any society, land, or organization, because, God bears along with us.

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟛𝟙:𝟚𝟙

"And when many evils and troubles have come upon them, this song shall confront them as a witness (for it will live unforgotten in the mouths of their offspring). For I know what they are inclined to do even today, before I have brought them into the land that I swore to give."

Songs help us to remember certain aspects of life.

Let's learn song not because of tune or style, but because of its content! And let's sing such songs.

 

𝔻𝕖𝕦𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕠𝕞𝕪 𝟛𝟚:𝟟, 𝟞

v7 "Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you."

Moses was composing a song for the next generation to know the greatness of God (v3), how God did a mighty work to choose and preserve their forefathers (v9). And the Israelites tended to be rebellious at all times (v5-6).

This verse implies how children ought to learn from their parents. Also, how parents ought to teach and bring up their children in the fear of the Lord. However, this verse is interesting: even if the parents didn't teach, the children must ask.

v6. "Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?"

V6 furthermore implies children cannot forget or forsake their parents. It's a metaphor to express how Israelites forsook Yahweh!

This week, it impressed on my mind how my father and his siblings took great loving care of my aged grandpa in the last years of his life! Children don't forsake their parents, especially in their old age [obligation].

Well, God is not a weak old man, but the analogy of family relationships is on display here. That He is their father and His people are His children. Parents love their children, and children love their parents. That's it. And nowadays, there's not a high view of family. Everywhere, broken families.

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟛𝟛:𝟙𝟛-𝟙𝟜

"And of Joseph he said, ‘Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕥 gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath, with the𝕔𝕙𝕠𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕥 fruits of the sun and the rich yield of the months.’"

The choicest man of Israel blessed the choicest son of Jacob with the choicest blessing! 🙂

No wonder, apart from the tribe of Judah, Ephraim (Joseph's son) is one of the most prominent tribes among the 13 tribes! The northern kingdom, Israel is sometimes referred to as the “Ephraim”.

 

𝔻𝔼𝕌𝕋𝔼ℝ𝕆ℕ𝕆𝕄𝕐 𝟛𝟜:𝟟

"Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated."

As someone who has poor eyesight, every time I read this, I feel like the Lord has withheld blessing/grace from me. 😬😅 And the worst feeling is that God ought to let it be this way because even with these eyes, I often fail to use them to the glory of God.

A ray of hope against this is that Apostle Paul had bad eyesight! Ridiculously Comforting! 😅😎👍