Joshua 10

WEEK  20                                          Joshua 10  

MONDAY  Reflections

Joshua chapter 10 holds a story of a miracle which has long been ridiculed by opponents of the Bible as impossible. The story goes that in the battle Joshua needed more time to complete the victory. Joshua tells the Lord to hold the moon and the sun fixed in the sky until the victory can be won. Joshua and the Israelites win the battle after a full day passed without the sun or moon moving. Scientifically speaking there are so many reasons why this is impossible. We know that for the moon and sun to stop in the sky that the earth would have to stop turning. Without the rotation of the earth, gravity is no longer in effect, not to mention a whole host of other issues.

 

So, it must not have happened right?

 

It might seem that way, but could it be that more is going on than we realize. Could it have appeared the sun and moon didn’t move but the real miracle was something else? I believe the Bible, so I think a miracle took place. I believe that since God made the laws of the universe he can certainly change them if he wants to. So, what do I do about this? First, I trust the power of God. Second, I realize that what Joshua and Israel saw might have been something that appeared as if the sun and moon stopped but what really happened was something they couldn’t have explained. Something as crazy as a moment of time frozen for the rest of the universe but not for Joshua and Israel?

 

I am amazed at how some can quickly say the unexplained is dismissed as something we don’t understand scientifically yet, but when Christians want to say we don’t have an explanation we are dismissed. At the end of the day, most people believe what they want to believe and dismiss anything else. I am not trying to do that. I want to admit, this seems problematic, but not impossible. 

 

Side note: Many believe man will someday have the technology to regrow arms and legs, control the weather, and develop Star Trek-style replicators, but want to deny an all-powerful creator God could do it. I think they are the ones denying reality.

Jos 10:1-43

(1)  Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

(2)  That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty.

(3)  Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying,

(4)  Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.

(5)  Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.

(6)  And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.

(7)  So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour.

(8)  And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

(9)  Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

(10)  And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

(11)  And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

(12)  Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

(13)  And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

(14)  And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

(15)  And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

(16)  But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.

(17)  And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

(18)  And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:

(19)  And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

(20)  And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.

(21)  And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.

(22)  Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.

(23)  And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

(24)  And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

(25)  And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

(26)  And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.

(27)  And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

(28)  And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.

(29)  Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:

(30)  And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.

(31)  And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:

(32)  And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.

(33)  Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.

(34)  And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:

(35)  And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

(36)  And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:

(37)  And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.

(38)  And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

(39)  And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.

(40)  So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.

(41)  And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

(42)  And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

(43)  And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

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Jeremiah 4

WEEK   19                                              Jeremiah 4

SATURDAY  Reflections

Jeremiah makes a curious complaint in verse 10. He complains that God has deceived the people by letting them think everything is okay. When we read this prophecy we don't see God saying this, so what is Jeremiah complaining about.

 

Jeremiah is complaining because of the false prophets which are about in the land. They keep saying everything is okay. They are prophesying in God's name though God did not send them. This might seem to be a valid complaint except these are the types of prophets the people want. This isn't God letting false prophets loose on them but the people wanting that type of prophet.

 

One could complain today about the number of pastors who do not teach or believe the Bible. How could they be allowed, yet they have been oftentimes voted into power. People stay under their teachings and support them financially. This isn't God's fault, it is the fault of the people who call themselves Christian.

Jer 4:1-31
(1)  If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.
(2)  And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
(3)  For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.
(4)  Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.
(5)  Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.
(6)  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.
(7)  The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.
(8)  For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.
(9)  And it shall come to pass at that day, saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish, and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished, and the prophets shall wonder.
(10)  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.
(11)  At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,
(12)  Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them.
(13)  Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
(14)  O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?
(15)  For a voice declareth from Dan, and publisheth affliction from mount Ephraim.
(16)  Make ye mention to the nations; behold, publish against Jerusalem, that watchers come from a far country, and give out their voice against the cities of Judah.
(17)  As keepers of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious against me, saith the LORD.
(18)  Thy way and thy doings have procured these things unto thee; this is thy wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reacheth unto thine heart.
(19)  My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
(20)  Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.
(21)  How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
(22)  For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
(23)  I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
(24)  I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.
(25)  I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
(26)  I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.
(27)  For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.
(28)  For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.
(29)  The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen; they shall go into thickets, and climb up upon the rocks: every city shall be forsaken, and not a man dwell therein.
(30)  And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair; thy lovers will despise thee, they will seek thy life.
(31)  For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.

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Joshua 9

WEEK   19                                             Joshua 9    

FRIDAY  Reflections

It has been said that we read ourselves into other people. If you are an honest person you are more likely to give someone the benefit of doubt and believe them (unless you've been taken advantage of). If you're dishonest you are less likely to believe anyone, even when they are trying to give you something or even to save your life.

This is why I believe Proverbs reminds us over and over to find wise counselors. These people can give insight and help you unless they all think exactly like you. However ultimately the person to ask before making any major decision is God. God knows everyone and everything. He is the one we need to ask for direction in every major decision. 

This is where Joshua and the people of Israel made their mistake. They didn't ask God what to do about the Gibeonites. Since the Gibeonites had a fear of God, it is possible that God might instruct Israel on how to redeem them. We will never know because Israel didn't ask God what they should do. This is the lesson we all need to learn. Even when everything looks and sounds correct, never make a major life change without consulting God.

Jos 9:1-27
(1)  And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
(2)  That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
(3)  And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,
(4)  They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;
(5)  And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
(6)  And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.
(7)  And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
(8)  And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
(9)  And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,
(10)  And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
(11)  Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
(12)  This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy:
(13)  And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
(14)  And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.
(15)  And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
(16)  And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.
(17)  And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.
(18)  And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
(19)  But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
(20)  This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
(21)  And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
(22)  And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?
(23)  Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.
(24)  And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
(25)  And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
(26)  And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
(27)  And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

2 Thessalonians 3

Maybe??

WEEK   19                                  2 Thessalonians 3

THURSDAY  Reflections

No work = No food

 

Some have abused the doctrine of work as an excuse not to help those in need. Others have ignored it in favor of being generous and loving. The truth on the doctrine of work is long enough that a book could be written on it and some have. Let's try to look at verse 10 honestly.

 

I am not going to get into the whole argument about the necessity of work. Yet I do see work was part of God's original plan for mankind in Genesis. An examination of the afterlife in Scripture shows work going on. Work isn't a bad thing, it's a good thing and helps provide the things we need to survive.

 

Last week when we looked at Joshua 5 when the children of Israel could provide for themselves the miracle of manna ended. This, as does Paul's words here, is a reminder God expects us to try and take care of ourselves when we can. If someone is able to work to meet their needs, then the church shouldn't support them. Yes, God is against helping the lazy.

 

However, this doesn't mean we are off the hook for helping those, especially Christians (Galatians 6:10) who are unable to work or to find gainful employment. We need to be careful making this judgment call. I know of one family who struggles financially, but if they earn $1000 dollars a year more they lose their state insurance and with the cost of another policy plus deductibles, it will cost them over $10,000 a year. You just can't make that up easily. Are they lazy? No, they are in a bad place.

 

It isn't easy to know when to help and when not to, but there are times we need to do both. If you have to err do it on the side of generosity.  

2Th 3:1-18
(1)  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
(2)  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
(3)  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
(4)  And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.
(5)  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
(6)  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
(8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
(9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(10)  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11)  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12)  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13)  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
(14)  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
(16)  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
(17)  The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
(18)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

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Psalm 62

WEEK   20                                 Psalm 62   

WEDNESDAY  Reflections 

Machiavelli wrote the book The Prince (1513 AD) in which he said it is better for a prince to be feared than loved. He felt that oppression was sometimes necessary to control people. The Psalmist disagrees. David felt that we should not trust in oppression. Yes, it may seem safer to control people with fear, for if they fear you they will obey (until there is a rebellion).

 

David says the person to trust is God. God is a rock, salvation and his defense. With God as his defender, David didn't believe he would be moved and if he was it wasn’t going to be very much (verse 2). This too is our hope, if we trust in God we will not be moved.  

Psa 62:1-12
(1)  To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
(2)  He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
(3)  How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.
(4)  They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
(5)  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
(6)  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
(7)  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
(8)  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
(9)  Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
(10)  Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
(11)  God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
(12)  Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

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