2 weeks down! So, let me ask you, how are you doing? Missed a day or two? This is the time to catch up! Try to set a daily time that can become a habit. They say that 30 days makes a pattern, 60 days makes a habit, and 90 days makes a habit for life! Keep it up!
This week I want to deal with a question that came to me. (By the way, PLEASE email me any questions you have! If you have them, probably others will as well!) The question is about the passages from Joshua this week. They were a tough read – lots of destruction! So, the question is – why does God tell him to do this? (Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region– the kings and people of the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, and the mountain slopes. He completely destroyed everyone in the land, leaving no survivors, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.)
First, we need to realize that we are not dealing with the same culture that we live in today. Not only are we dealing with a culture with much different values and morals, we are also dealing with a culture set in a violent, tribal time. Violence and death were a fact of life and frequent raids and wars along with the struggles of a nomadic lifestyle made the time of Joshua a very dangerous time to live. While this does not explain these passages, it does set them in their proper context.
So why did God tell Joshua to destroy all the people in the land? I don’t think I have all the answers, but let me share two things. First, God was protecting them from the dangers of an idol worship culture. Back in Egypt the Israelites were introduced to the idol cult of the Egyptians. The result? When they were left alone while Moses was on the mountain, they demanded an idol themselves. This was the reason that God held them back from immediately entering the land and waiting for a new generation, one which had not experienced the idol culture. Second, God was reacting to the horrendous sinful acts committed by those in the land. Here are God’s words from Deuteronomy 12:28-32:
Be careful to obey all my commands so that all will go well with you and your children, because you will be doing what pleases the LORD your God. “When the LORD your God destroys the nations and you drive them out and occupy their land, do not be trapped into following their example in worshiping their gods. Do not say, ‘How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.’ You must not do this to the LORD your God. These nations have committed many detestable acts that the LORD hates, all in the name of their gods. They have even burned their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. Carefully obey all the commands I give you. Do not add to them or subtract from them.
(Let me note one other story – Rahab. She and her family were spared. Why? Because they feared God. So, even in the midst of destruction, those who turn to God are saved.)
While I don’t expect these insights to completely answer the question, I do think they give us an insight into God’s plan. God is vitally interested in how we live. He desires for us to seek Him alone and does not want for us to live in such a way that we are drawn away from Him.
I hope you are enjoying the readings. Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have a question or comment.
