April 15- The Details of Destruction and Defeat

April 15, 2011

Scripture Readings:
Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37;
Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

"Do you mean to tell me, Katie Scarlett O'Hara, that Tara, that land doesn't mean anything to you? Why, land its the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts."  ~Gerald O'Hara   Gone With The Wind

Joshua 11:1-12:24

In the beautiful movie Gone With The Wind, the O'Hara family fights to keep the land they own in the face of General William Tecumseh Sherman's famous and destructive March to the Sea during the Civil War.  The actual Atlanta Campaign and subsequent March to the Sea, took place during November and December of 1864.  It began with the capture of Atlanta and ended with the taking of the port of Savannah.  Sherman applied the scorched earth principle of warfare that included burning crops, killing livestock, and consuming supplies.  The idea was to leave the South damaged in its industry and infrastructure, thus destroying its physical and psychological ability to wage war. His strategy worked. 

Today we read about an ancient military general who also employed a scorched earth policy that included crippling the enemies' horses, burning their chariots, and killing all of the inhabitants.  The general was Joshua.  The battles were for the northern part of the land of Canaan.  You will remember that God told Moses that He intended to use the Israelites to judge the nations of Canaan.  God's plan was to vomit the idol-worshiping inhabitants out of the land.

It is a bloody business to exact God's judgment.  As I read today's passage, I was struck by how many times the following words were used:

• fight
• dead
• cripple
• burn
• capture
• slaughter
• take
• conquer
• defeat
• completely destroy
• control

These are the terms of the judgment of God.  It is noted in verse 20 that the Lord hardened the hearts of these kings so that they would fight, rather than make peace with Israel.  God intended to make a statement about sin and following false gods, while also giving Abraham's descendants their Promised Land.

The book of Joshua ends with a detailed account of what took place.  The Bible indicates that at the final Judgment there will be two books read.  One book is the Book of Life.  It details every person who had faith in Christ and will receive eternal life.  The other book is the Book of Works.  This book details every thing that everyone on earth ever did.  If you wonder whether or not God is interested in the details of your life, this should answer that question.  He is so interested that He has recorded every detail of your existence including all of your thoughts and actions.  Let this chapter in the book of Joshua remind you of that reality.

Does this truth comfort you or bother you?

Luke 17:11-37

Jesus teaches a couple of things, today.  First, after healing ten lepers, Jesus is dismayed that only one man remembered to come back and thank him.  This teaches us to be thankful for the many blessings that we receive from Christ each day, but also, to thank him daily for cleansing us of our leprous sins.

Jesus teaches the questioning Pharisees about the Kingdom of God.  They are expecting an earthly regime that defeats Israel's enemies and sets up a kingdom on earth.  Jesus clarifies that his Kingdom has two qualities.  One quality is that the Kingdom of God will exist without borders in people's hearts.  This is the only aspect Jesus decides to share with the Pharisees.  Later, when He is alone with the disciples, Jesus describes the physical Kingdom that will be in the Millennium.  Jesus says that before this time will come, people will be eating and drinking like in the days of Noah and Lot.  The end will come suddenly. Jesus does not elaborate, but other parts of Scripture tell us that there is war and destruction prior to this millennial kingdom. This war and destruction are God's judgment of the earth prior to his physical kingdom on the earth.

Do you remember to thank God for cleansing you from the stain of sin?  Are you prepared for the end to come?

Psalm 84:1-12

"A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!"  This is a great picture of being part of God's millennial kingdom.

Proverbs 13:5-6

If you are godly, you will hate lies and will be helped by your stance towards God.  This is not the case for the wicked.

What did you notice today?


Blessings,


Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011