Sonshine!

Thus, God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. Judges 9:56 (Chapters 9-12)

The era of the Judges is a time of spiritual decline, but three things are obvious: 1.The stories record failures and weaknesses in brutal honesty. 2.Their presence does not condone or glorify any behavior. 3. Shows that God never turns a deaf ear to a cry for help.

Dynasties are not what God ordains. Gideon refused a kingship, but his son Abimelech felt entitled to such status so much that he had his brothers (all 70) murdered. God did not choose him, he chose himself and through manipulation, found a following. Things didn’t end well. During a siege, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head, but he didn’t want to die at the hands of a woman so he had his servant run him through with a sword.

For his wickedness God repaid Abimelech with shame and death. God and justice will have the last word every time!

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

But Gideon told them “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” Judges 8:23 (Chapters 6-8)

The Israelites were plagued by marauders. The Midianites came at harvest time, raiding the fields and herds. The men of Israel had taken to hiding in caves and threshing their meager gatherings in hidden pits. During this time of duress, they sought God’s power. God chose Gideon to be Israel’s mighty warrior.

When called, Gideon was so sure God was mistaken, that he asked for strong signs of confirmation. Having his faith settled, God directed Gideon to reduce his amassed army and take only 300 men, so that all would know it was by God’s authority victory was won. With torches hidden in jars and carrying trumpets, Gideon’s forces attacked their enemy in the pitch black of night, creating a chaos in which the enemy self destructed. The land enjoyed peace for the next 40 years (Gideon’s generation.)

The story of Gideon is not one of charismatic leadership, but rather, the divine intervention of God on behalf of those who trust Him. Gideon was the last person Israel would have chosen for their hero, but God did the choosing. The simple secret to prosperity, aka, peace: Boldly trust God.

Love,

Gretchen

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves, praise the LORD!”  Judges 5:2 (Chapters 3-5)

In case you wonder why the idolatry of the inhabitants of Canaan were so loathsome to God, here’s a little insight.  The Moabite’s god, Chemosh was worshipped with human sacrifice, the Ammonites practiced the burning of little children to please their god, Moloch. In addition, temple priests and priestesses were prostitutes. Sexual depravity was the free gift from government. God wanted none of this life/soul destroying behavior to threaten His people, but Israel continued to walk past all warnings and wandered toward destruction.

In a male dominated world, two women took initiative and won a great battle for Israel. Deborah was both prophet and judge, a woman of great authority.  She received divine direction to share with her military leader. He hesitated to obey until she agreed to enter into battle with him. As combat began, a sudden storm bogged down the opposing forces of Jabin, king of Canaan, allowing Israel victory.  Sisera, Jabin’s military leader was the sole surviver. He fled, escaping to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael, as a woman, would have limited experience beyond her own home, but when good vs. evil was presented, her one skill, pitching a tent, was all she needed. She pretended hospitality, only to murder Sisera with a hammer and tent peg when he fell asleep.

The narrative of Judges is a repeated pattern of obedience bringing prosperity and sin bringing despair. One constant is the authority, power and faithfulness of The One True God. Your faith is well placed when it is placed in Him.

Love,

Gretchen

‘And you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Judges 2:2 (Chapter 1-2)

After Joshua’s death, the nation of Israel became a confederacy of twelve independent tribes with one common God. They were to be a Theocracy, but the original ‘tuff as nails’ generation, that walked across the Jordan River on dry land, was slowly growing old and dying. The young did not take God seriously.  He meant for them to destroy the pagan cultures that existed in the land He had given them. They did not do this, and these people and their idols were a constant trial. Israel quarreled among themselves and were attacked by enemies trying to exterminate them. There was fighting within and without.

A constant pattern of ‘every man doing what was right in his own eyes’ was the down fall of this nation. These people would step away from God, prostitute their souls to the idols of their neighbors and when that so called ‘god’ didn’t give the happy ending they were seeking, they repented and returned to correct obedience and worship.  When they served God, they prospered. Serving idols brought misery.

Worship cannot be a part-time endeavor nor can obedience be pick and choose. It’s all or nothing. By God’s own words, He is jealous. He doesn’t want our subjection as a trade for prosperity, but because we love Him and He loves us. He will not share you with that which will destroy you. Would you want him to?

Happy Tuesday,

Gretchen

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land your are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 

Joshua has led the people as God directed and now his life is coming to an end and he is not appointing a successor.  Just as a dying parent would draw their children close and give them wisdom from experience for guarantees of success and security, Joshua does the same for Israel.

In his final address, Joshua urged Israel to guard themselves against idolatry. The gods’ of Egypt and Canaan were a combinations of pagan religion and free indulgence of earthly desires. It takes exceptional diligence to withstand this allure.

These people have the Law, written in many places, many times. Joshua’s last words recall all that God has faithfully done before their eyes. To the gathered masses Joshua declares, “I know who God is and I will serve Him alone. The rest is up to you.”

It is up to you. God is good and faithful, holy and just, but He won’t force you to serve Him, it is your free will. Be exceptional and follow Him.

Love,

Gretchen

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:43  (Chapters 9-22)

Canaan was the term given to all land along the Mediterranean coast of modern day Lebanon and Israel, inland to the Jordan River. All residing there were broadly known as Canaanites. Canaan consisted of several city states, ruled by kings that were subject to Egypt’s pharaoh.

Gibeon was an important city. At word of Jericho and Ai’s fatal end, the king of Gibeon employed a fictitious story to convince Israel to make a peace treaty with them. Israel did not consult God, prompting an instant war, when all the other kings of Canaan formed an alliance to defeat Israel.  God fought Israel’s battles and they settled the land of their inheritance. However, small bands of Canaanites remained and after Joshua’s death, they became troublesome for Israel.

Daily God led and sustained these people through miraculous intervention, but three times He changed the order of nature to assist His greater purpose. He held back the waters of the Jordan River, He brought down the walls of Jericho and in the battle against five Amorite kings, God extended daylight to the benefit of Joshua’s forces.

These battles paint a picture of a brilliant and blood thirsty military power.  Remember that the judgement of these pagan people was brought about by their refusal to submit to the One True Sovereign God.  As seen in the story of Rahab, believing changes the course of your destiny. Yes, blood was shed, but opportunity for life always comes before death.

Love,

Gretchen

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law-the blessings and the curses-just as it is written in the Book of the Law. Joshua 8:34 (Chapters 7-8)

Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites moved on the city of Ai. Joshua sent spies who assured him that Ai would be an easy conquest. But, a man named Achan had taken items from Jericho, an act God forbade. Intolerant of this covetous driven disobedience, God disciplined Israel. When the army of Israel moved against Ai, they were soundly defeated, with loss of life.

Achan’s sin had grave consequences. His family was aware of his misdeed and helped him secret his stolen goods. His kinsmen suffered as they lost their honor and their lives.

God redirected Israel to victory over Ai and Joshua led the people to a renewal of their covenant on Mt. Ebal, at the place where Abraham first erected an altar in this land and just as Moses had commanded in Deuteronomy 27.

Sin is not the end of the story, but there is accountability for all involved. Israel did not focus on the repercussion of their transgression, but rather, the grace and hope they had as children of God. What defines you? The darkness of death, or a life washed whiter than snow? There’s a reason it’s called amazing grace and it’s yours for the asking.

Love,

Gretchen

When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (Chapters 5-6)

Four days after crossing into Canaan the Israelites celebrated passover, their first home cooked meal in 40 years.  The manna ceased and God sent His invisible army to encourage and direct Joshua. The covenant was renewed among a new generation by means of circumcision.

The first threat to Israel’s inhabitance was Jericho, a fortified city. It must be removed and God alone took this victory.  Israel’s part in the battle was obedience and worship, God’s Heavenly Army did the rest. Can you imagine being a resident of Jericho while the Israelites marched to victory? Encircling troops, blasting trumpets and a silent infantry seemed an unusual maneuver, but a believer’s battle is won in ways that are not designed by man’s calculations. The only survivors were Rahab and her family.

Archaeological revelations indicate that about 1400 B.C. Jericho was leveled and peculiarities and evidence has been found that coincide with the Biblical narrative. (I’m not surprised, just wanted to share.) Dr. John Garstang, director of the British School of Achealology in Jerusalem, 1929-36, found stored food stuffs beneath the double walled fortress. It is odd that these precious commodities were not pillaged by survivors, except there were none and Israel had no need of non-kosher food. 

When God moves it is unique to His love, justice and power. Wrapped in His faithfulness we find our peace and security. It’s okay to expect a miracle, it is the essence of God’s presence in our life.

Happy Halloween!

Gretchen

He said to the Israelites, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ Joshua 4:21-22 (Chapters 3-4)

God once again parted deep water, first the Red Sea and now the Jordan River at flood stage, so that His people could move toward His promise. 1400 years later, Jesus stepped from these same banks, into this same river and was baptized.

It was spring time when two altars were erected using stones from the middle of Jordan’s river bed, one at the new encampment where Israel first stepped into their forever home and another marking the place the priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant as the people crossed the waters safely.

Monuments of faith are an important part of victorious Christian living. We must look back to remember and know God’s divine intervention so we can move forward with determination and confidence.  This is our hope, the foundation of great faith and obedience. Build altars, return to them often, worship and tell your children.

Love,

Gretchen

When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is the God in Heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11 (Chapters 1 and 2)

Joshua was born in Egypt and was Moses’ right hand man during the exodus. Out of the twelve men sent into Canaan on a reconnoissance mission, only Caleb and Joshua were faithful enough to suggest advance. As a result, they were the only two original Hebrews to enter the Promised Land.

Joshua is commissioned by God Himself and in his initial instructions is told repeatedly, “Be strong and courageous. I will never leave or forsake you.”  Joshua was a strong and faithful leader, an example to Christians leaders today.

Rahab was probably a Canaanite priestess, which would have involved being a temple prostitute, but in her immoral culture, her social status would have been high and even honorable. Upon hearing and witnessing the miracles surrounding the journey of the Israelites, Rahab made the choice to risk everything and follow the God of these people. Because Rahab chose faith, and protected the secret spies Joshua had sent into Jericho, her entire family came under God’s protection, symbolized by a scarlet thread tied in her window. Finding a permanent home with Israel, she is listed as a hero of faith. Rahab married Caleb’s son Salmon and became the grandmother of Boaz, making her an ancestor of King David and Jesus.

Looking back across history everything fits together like a well carved puzzle. Is it coincidence? No it’s grace. From harlot to woman of heroic character, God’s mercy extends and grace exceeds the need.

Have a perfect Tuesday!

Gretchen