Woven

The book of Joshua is such a meaningful book for me. Admittedly, that is just a necessary statement for me to make letting you know I have a lot to say today. I’m begging you to stay with me and to share with me what you learn from our scripture, too.

After a long trudge through the wilderness, God determined it was time for them to enter into His Promised Land and their freedom. I don’t know why, but I feel all of the emotions when I read the first 2 verses of Joshua,

Now, it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant saying, 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.

Seriously, I feel sadness for Moses, fear for Joshua, anticipation for the Promised Land, and anxiety for the Israelites having to follow a new (much younger) leader. I’m invested in these characters, and I hope you are too.

By the end of chapter 4, Joshua and all of the Israelites have crossed the Jordan and set up stones so that this miracle can be remembered forever. Wow! Most of Exodus and all of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy tell the story of wilderness wanderings, and Israel crossed into their destiny within four chapters of Joshua.

To begin today, please read Joshua 5: 1-8.

I need you to know this little story. Last year, I taught this curriculum to my high school Bible class. That class contained 11 girls and 2 young men. We were sailing through the Old Testament beautifully until we hit this chapter. My 11 girls remained 10 shades of red as we talked about this chapter while my guys (who I love so much) nearly writhed in pain every time I said “circumcision.” It was a disaster, and I didn’t think I’d ever get to my points.

Who can blame them, though? This seems like such an odd (and painful) process for marking God’s people. I understand that circumcision was the mark of the covenant and none of these men were circumcised because of wandering in the wilderness. But, couldn’t there have been another way? And, if there wasn’t another way, wouldn’t it have made more sense to cut into a very sensitive part of all of the mighty warriors before crossing into enemy territory?

I find it very interesting that the Bible doesn’t record one, single question from Joshua. God said, “circumcise,” and the next words are, So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel the second time.

Ladies, I just want to pause and point out that consequence is evidence of God’s grace. At times, it can seem so mean, but there’s just no better guide to bring us back to our loving Father than painful consequence. Sin simply must run its course; otherwise, we’ll keep running back to the things that keep us in bondage repeatedly. Joshua’s quick obedience is proof that he’d learned a valuable lesson while he wandered in the desert. Consequence served its purpose!

Again, though, in verse 8, I can’t help but get a little worried for Israel when all of their fighters are healing on the wrong side of the Jordan. They’re exposed and weak and wide open for attack if the enemy decided to charge. They were forced to wait in humility. Then, God announced,

Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.

Another word for reproach is shame. Don’t you know that Israel felt shame when they thought about the time their ancestors spent in slavery. Before they ever stepped foot into the Promised Land, God called for an end to the shame. He is so, so kind.

Journal – I probably don’t have to tell you that our Enemy loves to use shame! His primary tactic is to bring to mind something humiliating from our past and cause us to look at that with fear and reproach. But, our God has called for an end to the shame. And, Jesus Christ paid the price to clear us of all reproach. If you’re dealing with shame today, I would love for you to journal a commitment to God. Hear Him telling you that He’s rolled away the reproach of (you fill in the blank).

Next, Israel enjoyed Passover, remembrance. And, they ate the fruit of their new land. Then, God caused the manna to cease. Yes, the manna that they’d been eating since Exodus 16 ended once they'd tasted the fruit of freedom. God’s provision is always perfect. It came to Israel as soon as they needed it, and it didn’t cease until they’d arrived at the fruit of the new land.

I can’t get over how much kindness of God we get to see in this one chapter of Joshua. Now, read Joshua 5: 13-15.

After being cared for so tenderly, Joshua looked up and saw a man with a sword drawn, and he asked him the only logical thing to ask, “Are you for us or for them?” Joshua knew that they’d face one enemy after another in the quest for their land. When he saw the warrior in front of him, he just wanted to know who he was for.

This is weird, because Joshua asked the question very clearly, “Are you for us or for our enemy?” And, the man with the sword answered, “No.”

I’ve wrestled with these verses, because it appears to me that he didn’t actually answer Joshua. He went on to say, “I am the captain of the host of the Lord.” At those words, Joshua fell on his face and bowed down. Why?

I believe Joshua understood in this response that God is for God. There aren’t always simple answers to simple questions in God’s economy. He knows more than we know. Looking at this situation, we can see that there are two sides: Israel (God’s chosen nation) and them (everyone else). It seems like the answer should be simple…. Of course, God is for His chosen people! But, NO. He’s for Himself, and when His people follow Him, trust Him, and act in obedience to Him, we get to be for Him as well. We don’t always have to be against people to be for God.

The final act of kindness from God to His people in Joshua 5 is Joshua's humbling. I'll bet it didn't feel like kindness when He first looked up and saw a sword or when he heart the word, "No." Yet, it brought Joshua to his knees in worship. He experienced the very real presence and power of his God just before leading the people into battle. This was God's kindness at it's very best.

I think the only way we can end our time together today is to land exactly as Joshua did…. Face to the earth, bowed down, and asking one question, what do you have to say to me, Lord? Turn on a worship song, slip off your shoes, and enjoy the holy space.

Heavenly Father, I don’t know why You chose to allow us to journey with You throughout this life. It’s so much messier to allow us to participate. It would be much cleaner and faster if You just forced all the right steps and moves. But, You are so patient to wait for our obedience. You are so kind to allow the consequences to teach lessons that instruct our wayward hearts. And, You are so generous to provide for our every need in the process of it all. Today, we want to worship You in sincerity and TRUTH. Overwhelm our hearts with Your goodness. Make an impression that lasts. We want to experience Your presence in very real ways.