eDevs: July 2018

Thursday, July 26, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-26 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Re-commitment

Re-commitment

After He had addressed Joshua's petulance and revealed Achan's breaking of the covenant, the Lord gave Joshua instructions for the defeat of Ai. After Ai was defeated, Joshua gathered the people together for a covenant renewal.

It is a rich and beautiful passage that describes how Joshua gathers the people, builds an altar and inscribes the law on two standing stones in commemoration of the original giving of the Law to Moses.
Then he reads the law to the people again...

This covenant renewal is important. Joshua has learnt the tough lesson that success can go to our heads and we can charge headlong into failure. They had succeeded at Jericho because they had been completely dependant on God. They failed at Ai, because they had been presumptuous - they had assumed that God would bless their plans.

The covenant renewal was a reminder that their relationship with God was like walking on a pathway - it was all too easy to reach a fork in the path and choose the wrong path. And there were consequences to taking the wrong path...

Joshua's leadership is marked by these moments of commitment and rededication: Circumcision at Gilgal, the heap of stones at the Jordan, this covenant renewal and the one we see at the end of the book in ch 24 to mention a few.

Joshua realised a great truth: We need to be re-minded (things need to be brought to the front of our minds again) We need to re-dedicate ourselves. We need to re-commit. We have to re-fill our tanks, not only because of the mileage we do, but because we have leaks.

Brenda's mom used to put in little bits of petrol at a time. Then, one day, she filled the tank completely only to discover that the top of the tank had rusted and the petrol came spilling out. This is why moments of re-commitment are really important. They remind us what full tanks feel like and they sometimes show us where the unrealised leaks are.

When last did you do a full re-commitment?

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. 35 There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them. (Joshua8:34-35)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-25 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Presumption

Presumption

Joshua, after the wonderful victory at Jericho, had a much easier challenge with regard to the city of Ai which was smaller and less fortified. He followed the same human strategy as before. He sent in spies who brought back a very positive report. Their advice: "This is easy! You'll only need a small force and we can do it without breaking a sweat!"

What Joshua did not know is that Achan had disobeyed the Lord and brought God's anger against the people. (We dealt with this yesterday...) Now, if Joshua had sought the Lord in prayer before rushing in to Ai, the Lord would have revealed the problem to him. Unfortunately Joshua did the "practical" preparations but not the "spiritual" ones. He presumed that the Lord would help him.

When the people of Ai send them packing, the people's hearts melt in fear. Joshua is petulant. He and the elders prostrate themselves in dust and ashes and complain to God. He sounds scarily like the Israelites complaining to Moses "Why did you ever bring us here?" He even resorts to the tactic of saying "Lord, what will our enemies think of you?"

God is straight with Joshua - "Get up! Stop being so petulant. Israel have sinned and violated my covenant. (And if you'd prayed about Ai, I would have prompted you about all this.)"

It's very easy for us to rush ahead of God. It's very easy for us to pre-assume (presume) His blessing instead of listening and asking for it. Very often we make very human plans which, just before we put them into action, we ask God to bless. It's very often in the wake of our greatest successes that we make the mistakes that lead to our biggest failures.

Joshua learned a tough lesson about taking time to talk and listen to God. This is a lesson we must learn too.

Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3 When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the people will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there." 4 So about three thousand men went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai, 5 who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Ah, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies? 9 The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?"
10 The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? 11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. (Joshua7:2-10)

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-24 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Harsh or Principled?

Harsh or Principled?

The Israelites were instructed to utterly destroy Jericho and devote the silver and gold to God's treasury. God warns them that there would be consequences in the wake of disobedience.

Unfortunately, a man named Achan, stole a beautiful ornate robe, some silver and some gold. He buried it in his tent - hoping, I imagine, that no-one would notice.

But the consequences were dire:
Israel's next enemy was the city of Ai, which was a minor obstacle compared to Jericho. Joshua rushed in presumptuously (more on this tomorrow...) and the city of Ai not only repelled Israel's attack but inflicted casualties and thus giving Joshua his first defeat.

Joshua is devastated and seeks the Lord's face. The Lord tells him that there has been disobedience and instructs Joshua to go through the Israelites tribe by tribe, clan by clan. When Joshua does this, Achan's sin is uncovered and he and his family are stoned.

This seems very harsh.
We have the same reaction to Ananias and Sapphira being struck dead in Acts 5. But it is when we consider these two accounts together that it all makes sense:

Both accounts take place at the formation of something new. Joshua is leading a "new" Israel into the promised land and the book of Acts is about the "newly born" church. In both cases the importance of integrity and obedience are highlighted. The devastating danger of greed is also highlighted. I believe the "harshness" of these two accounts is meant as a deterrent. Greed, corruption and dishonesty are being confronted right at the outset of the nation and the church. I also think the long term cost of unconfronted greed is even greater...

Our own country's history is blighted by the devastating consequences of greed in political and economic spheres.
Our incoming leaders could learn from Achan and Ananias-Sapphira.

The other aspect to consider is the shocking lack of respect shown by Achan, Ananias & Sapphira - they hide things from people and arrogantly assume that God doesn't see, doesn't care or won't do anything.

Blessing comes with responsibilities and we are called to keep our priorities right. When we flout responsibilities and priorities there are consequences. And we need to respect God...

18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury...
7:1 But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel...
7:20 Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: 21 When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath." (Joshua6:18-7:20)

Friday, July 20, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-20 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] A new beginning for Rahab

A new beginning for Rahab

In the account of the fall of Jericho there are three mentions of Rahab: First Joshua instructs that she should be spared while the city is destroyed. Then we hear that the young spies go and fetch Rahab and her family. Finally we're told that Rahab was spared and lives among the Israelites "to this day."

Twice in the this passage she is called a prostitute and yet she is treated with dignity and respect. The thrice mentioning of her in this short passage demonstrates Joshua's integrity and affirms her worth as a person who helped Israel.

The next nice surprise is that she pops up in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus as one of only 3 women mentioned. (Genealogies usually only mentioned men.) Rahab, along with Ruth, and Tamar are mentioned by Matthew and what makes them stand out is that they are all gentiles. So while Matthew doesn't clearly specify that this is Rahab the prostitute from the city of Jericho, it is fairly obvious that this is her.

So this is a beautiful story of redemption: Rahab not only becomes part of Israel, but it seems she embraced Israel's faith, found love, married into Israel and became a mother to Boaz and mother-in-law to Ruth and great great grandmother to David and was part of the line of Jesus.

God doesn't see who we were. He sees what we can be.

17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
... 23 So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel... 25 But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho--and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

(Joshua6:17-25)

Thursday, July 19, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-19 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Jericho - Would you have shouted?

Jericho - Would you have shouted?

When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."
(Joshua6:5)

So the Israelites walked around the city once a day for six days... We know that Jericho was "tightly shut up" for fear of the Israelites. I imagine that on day one the inhabitants of the city would have been as quiet as the Israelites. After all, they'd heard about the Egyptians and the Red Sea and how God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. They had reason to be afraid - very afraid...

But here's what I imagine happened... On day 1 there were no fireworks but you could probably have heard a pin drop. The same on day 2. And on day 3, but now the spectators are fidgety and whispering. Still nothing on day 4. And so I imagine on day 4 or 5 someone on the walls of Jericho shouted down "Is that all you've got?" And then the deluge of trash-talking and derision would begin. "Is your strategy to put us to sleep?"

The Israelites would have had to clench their jaws to stay silent. And so day 4, day 5, day 6. All the Israelites had was sheer obedience. "Can't we attack now?" "What are we waiting for?" But they waited. Day 7 was different. It would have impacted everyone. The Jericho residents would have been on top form, maybe even a bit bored. "Here they come again, ho-hum." But the minute they started the second circuit, there would be a stir in the city and people would rush to the walls to look. But but the fourth of fifth circuit boredom would set in and the mocking would begin again.

Now, if you were an Israelite, and if you had just completed the seventh circuit and the people of Jericho are standing on the wall jeering and mocking, and you heard the ram's horns, would you shout?

Would you shout tentatively? Would you wait for others to start shouting first? Or would you roar with confidence and faith? Remember that you hadn't been born when the Red Sea parted. You've known manna and quails and seen one or two battles in the desert, but nothing like this. On the other hand, you've come through the Jordaan, you've been part of the preparations, the circumcisions for the men and the eating of the produce of the land.

Would you shout?

I'd have to admit, I think I would shout, but I'm not sure I would start shouting with full confidence... The shouting of those around me would help though. I think by the end of it I would be shouting my lungs out. My shouting would be a venting of all the tension, all the waiting, all the hope and all the fears. I would shout it all out. It would all be "out there" for God to see and know. "O Lord I believe - help my unbelief".

There have been moments in my life when I have shouted like that. I've been out in veld, out on my bike, or alone at home. I've shouted with joy and victory. I've shouted out pain and heartache. I've shouted in the uncertainty of waiting and doubt.

And God hears!

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-18 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Jericho - Sevens

Jericho - Sevens

In our passage for today, the number seven abounds: Seven priests, each carrying a ram's horn, who lead the walk around the city for seven days and on the seventh day they walk around seven times.

In the Old Testament (also in Revelation in the New Testament) the number seven is significant. It would be safe to say that seven is pretty much God's number in the symbolism of Israel. It points to the week of creation and to the Sabbath - a day of rest - not so much for God to rest, but for people to find their rest in Him.

To a great degree this week was a new start - a new creation for Israel. (Although the text doesn't say that the seventh day was a Sabbath, there is no reason to imagine it wasn't.) As they reflected on what they had done, the Israelites would recognise that on the six days of "work" they marched around the city, but on the Seventh Day, the day of rest, all they had to do was walk a bit more and give a mighty shout, and God's power did the rest.

The NIV Study Bible points out that the ram's horn was not a musical instrument but a signal that was used in war and also to summon people to the Sabbath (sounding at dusk on a Friday night to call Israelites to the Shabbat meal.) When an Israelite heard the ram's horn on a Friday evening he/she knew that this was the start of the Lord's day. This is an important aspect to the conquest of the Promised Land. This was not the Israelite's day, but God's, this was not their victory, but His.

The NT book Hebrews describes the victory Jesus obtained by His death and resurrection as the "Sabbath Day Rest" that remains for God's people. The Cross and Grave are the Jericho that Jesus defeated so that we have access to the ultimate Promised Land. We must recognise that He is the One who accomplished this.

But more than that, when we face "Jericho-obstacles" in our lives, we will have to learn to walk with God on our "work days". We might need to be quiet, enduring the doubts that assail us and the mockery of others. But the time will come, when the trumpets will blow and we will see God's victory.

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." (Joshua6:2-5)

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

EmmDev 2018-07-17 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Jericho - The Plan

Jericho - The Plan

It seems like just yesterday when I wrote an EmmDev on my son Caleb's first day of grade 1. (Interestingly, I wrote on Joshua chapter 1 in a series called "Starting Orders") Now, eleven and a half years later, he begins his final term of teaching which is only a few weeks and then Prelims begin and then it is the Final Exams. Then, in the background, are all the deliberations, applications and registrations for next year. For him, and many other matrics, this is Jericho.

For many folk the start of the third term marks the end of the winter hibernation and the helter-skelter of July-August-September before the year end chaos of October, November and December. This, for many of us, is Jericho too.

Behind the Israelites is the Wilderness, a time of dryness, subsistence and drudgery. Ahead of them is the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. Between the Wilderness and the Promised Land is Jericho - a fortified city with walls so thick that chariots rode on top. As nation coming out of years of wilderness wandering Israel didn't have siege ladders or catapults. They seemed hardly equipped for this imposing obstacle.

Many of us are trapped between the Wilderness and the Promised Land with imposing Jericho-obstacles in our way. We might face unemployment, relationship failure, a tough medical diagnosis, a time of testing, insecurity, and the bullies of doubt, depression, cynicism and death (physical, spiritual, emotional).

God has a plan for Joshua. It is unorthodox and requires, above all things, trust. Joshua will have to prepare and pray. He will have to reflect and wait. He will have to grow in trust. He will have to face his doubts and persevere.

We can dissect the plan God gave Joshua. We can look at the seven days. We can reflect on the priestly worship team in front. We can consider the reaction of the people of Jericho: Apprehensive on day one, arrogant and derisive on day six. All these things (and many more) are interesting and worth looking into. But for today, just these thoughts:

God has a plan for Joshua, and, as we face our Jericho obstacles, He has a plan for us.
God often has us doing things differently - His ways are not always what everyone else will do.
Part of overcoming obstacles is learning to trust God.

Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in." (Joshua6:1-5)

EmmDev 2018-07-17 [Faith among grasshopper hearts] Jericho - The Plan

Jericho - The Plan

God has a plan for Joshua, and, as we face our Jericho obstacles, He has a plan for us.
God often has us doing things differently - His ways are not always what everyone else will do.
Part of overcoming obstacles is learning to trust God.