Last week, in the last point, I touched on the struggle of the Christian life. I said that I believe that Israel’s fight to take the promised land is partially symbolic of our daily struggle to live that life. This week, we see Israel begin to take on this fight. The parallel seemed to become even more clear, the more I read:
In chapter 1, the Lord is preparing Joshua for the fight. He repeatedly orders him to “Be strong and of good courage”. Joshua is reminded that his focus is to be on God and His Word, and not on the madness around him. Such real-life advice! This is exactly what I need to keep in mind for my daily fight as well.
Next, spies are sent into the land. This is interesting to me. God certainly could have knocked the inhabitants flat (see Jericho in chapter 6), without spying it out. But He decides to go about it more strategically. Somehow, it seems like this must have been for Israel’s benefit, and for the reader’s. As I pondered this, it occurred to me that I’m sometimes not very strategic when it comes to sin in my life. I tend to think that if I pray about it, and will it hard enough, I will succeed. But sometimes I need to be strategic in setting myself up for success.
The next scene is a triumphant one, as Israel marches with ease through the biggest obstacle to getting into the land – the Jordan. The lesson I take from this is faith in God. The incredible faith that they showed to step into a raging river is impressive. I need to do a better job of expecting great things from God, in faith.
As soon as they did this, they took great care to lay down memorial stones. I touched a few weeks ago on the value of being willing to look backwards and learn. This is a necessary precursor – when God does do things, set aside specific ways of remembering what He did for myself to look back on in the future. A fascinating idea.
In a further step of obedience, Israel circumcises all their people. Remember that they are essentially in enemy territory when they made themselves vulnerable in this way (remember Genesis 34?). Yet this was important enough that they took time (and pain) to do it. Certainly I can make more of an effort to sanctify certain times and things in my life for the work of God in my life.
The Israelites have been very obedient in these chapters. And in chapter 6, their obedience culminates in a great victory. God miraculously shows up, stomping out the inhabitants of Jericho in perhaps one of the greatest displays of strength in Scripture. This is certainly something to take note of as I seek to take the battle to the enemy in my own life.
