Judges 4: One Spectacular Exception

Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.

God wanted better things for his people than he got in Judges. He had rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt. He had given his people a rich land and presented them with a grand system of worship and government centering on himself. He would be no distant God in the heavens- he would live with them. But after some initial enthusiasm, the Israelites didn't continue the way God had pointed.

The Israelites held the mountains, but the foreign-held valleys, cutting through the land, separated the tribes. Soon each group of isolated Israelites began operating independently. But yet, the numerous foreign invasions recorded throughout this book were no accident. God allowed suffering as a consequence of the Israelite's disobedience. When things grew really terrible, their attention would turn back to God. He would respond by sending a judge to rescue them. But soon they would fail again. This pattern repeated itself time and again. The Israelites always forgot their need for God, and the dreary cycle ground on.

Deborah won her fame leading a desperate nation to victory. With Israel under the thumb of a cruel foreign ruler, she gave orders for Barak to lead a revolt. He refused to go unless brave Deborah would agree to accompany him into battle. With her giving the orders, Israel's 10,000 troops routed a better-equipped enemy. Deborah's triumph led to 40 years of peace.

It is hard to think of an area in which Deborah did not excel. She was a mother and wife. Her wisdom was so renowned that people brought their disputes to her as she sat under a large palm tree, the Palm of Deborah. As a prophet, she had the ability to understand God's message and relay it to this people. Women often get overlooked in the Old Testament, but Deborah is one spectacular exception. As a military leader, poet, prophet and judge, she used her talents to inspire Israel during a dark time.

Life Question: In what areas could you develop your talents to become more well-rounded?

I've always struggled with my listening skills. I think in part, I've always held tight to the mentality of a teacher: I was in charge in the classroom, I had a set lesson to get through, and I was able to orchestrate how I wanted to spend a 50 minute period- not exactly a mold that fits into the "real world". My new job will be a definite learning curve for me because I'm slowly learning that a big part of my job will be communicating (i.e.- listening) with parents about their concerns and aspirations they have for their kids.

Joshua 24: Home at Last

At the end of his life, Joshua stands before the Israelites to deliver a farewell address. Things have gone well under his leadership. Now Joshua uses his final speech to review all that God has done and to remind the people of their obligations under the covenant with God.

Joshua continually emphasizes that God is the sole source of their success: "The Lord gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build" (24:13). God first called out Abraham and blessed him with descendants, then delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and finally carried them all across the desert. Now, in Joshua's own lifetime, God has fulfilled one more promise of the covenant by giving them the promised land.

Joshua also challenges his listeners in the stirring climax of his speech. All the people present swear their allegiance to God, the God who has kept his covenant with them. Joshua solemnly ratifies the covenant and sends the people away, then quietly prepares to die.

The book of Joshua ends with an act of deep symbolism: The Israelites finally bury the remains of Joseph (24:32). For well over four centuries those remains had been preserved in Egypt, waiting for the day when the Israelites would return to their promised land. For 40 years the tribes have carried Joseph's bones during their desert wanderings. Now, at last, Abraham's descendants have come home, and even the dead can rest in peace.

Life Question: What does it truly mean to "serve the Lord?"

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This is probably one of the most often quoted passages from the Bible; however, its brevity is a bit deceiving. As Mike C. preached this morning in church, the ultimate commandment is to serve God alone. Yet, the temptation to wrap our lives up into "other gods" like money, fame, and careers can be all too easy...the only problem is that none of these things will lead us to salvation. I absolutely love the lyrics to the tune that we played this morning: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." Now that's a challenge for us all to work towards.

Joshua 19: Filling Some Big Shoes

When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them, as the Lord had commanded.

On the verge of entering Canaan, Moses turned to Joshua again, choosing him as one of 12 spies sent to collect information about the land. Ten came back frightened, with predictions of doom. Only Joshua and Caleb had faith that God would keep his promises to the Israelites despite military odds.

Joshua learned about the hazards of the leadership from that spy trip: On his return, thousands of angry Israelites called for his public stoning (Numbers 14). But he stood firm, and God rewarded him. Of all the Israelites who had left Egypt, only he and Caleb were allowed to enter the promised land- not even Moses was granted that honor. As Moses' death neared, God and Moses made Joshua their uncontested choice for a new leader for Israel. It was time for number two to become number one.

Joshua made a remarkably smooth transition into leadership. In fact, Joshua's life had many parallels to that of Moses. The miracle of crossing the Jordan River poignantly replayed Moses' crossing of the Red Sea. Moses encountered God directly at the burning bush; Joshua met God's special representative, the "commander of the army of the Lord," and likewise took off his shoes at the meeting. Both Moses and Joshua wrote the law onto stones: Moses creating a permanent record for Israel, and Joshua erecting a monument for the nation to pass by on the way into the new land (8:32). Both leaders pleaded with God on behalf of their people. And both ended their terms with stirring speeches that reviewed history and challenged the people toward a critical choice.

Apart from a few mistakes made by Joshua (battle of Ai and the treaty negotiations with the Gibeonites), his life was marked by unusual faith and obedience. Joshua never let the press of military action interfere with worship and the renewal of the covenant. When he divided up the land (an immense bureaucratic burden that takes up the last half of this book), he did so with wisdom and fairness, selecting his own portion only after all others had chosen.

The Bible records this simple legacy: "Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua" (24:31) History would show how rarely that occurred in the life of this troublesome nation.

Life Question: Often when a popular leader- a pastor, a politician, a teacher- retires from office, something slips. What made Joshua such an effective replacement? Can you think of a modern day Joshua?

In addition to having an incredible faith in his God, I think Joshua probably had a true respect for the guys who came before him....Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I'm guessing that he realized that he was part of the puzzle that would eventually land the Israelites back home...and he took nothing for granted.

To make a sports analogy, the athletes who experience success today are usually the ones who know the history of the game and look to their predecessors for advice, encouragement, and wisdom...as Joshua did.

Joshua 11: Is a War Ever Holy?

The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain."

There is something irrational and even repulsive about a holy war. It harnesses all the best energies of religion for one of the ugliest acts of human nature. And yet anyone who reads the Bible cannot ignore the holy wars of the Old Testament. Furthermore, God's involvement raises unique questions. He personally orders the destruction of seven Canaanite nations, with no survivors. Why?

The Old Testament makes clear that the Canaanites were not being uprooted on a sudden whim. God had promised the land to the Israelites over 400 years before Joshua. He had called one man, Abraham, to found a nation of chosen people. He repeated those promises often throughout the Book of Genesis and then finally called the Israelites out of Egypt to take over the promised land. Almost from the beginning Canaan was a vital part of God's plan.

But, Israel's inheritance meant kicking out the current inhabitants. How could innocent people simply be pushed aside, or killed? Well, to answer this question, the Bible makes clear that these people were not completely "innocent" Through their long history of sin, they had forfeited their right to the land. In fact, historians have uncovered plenty of evidence of their wickedness. Canaanite temples featured prostitutes, orgies, and human sacrifice. Canaanite gods, such as Baal and his wife Anath, delighted in butchery and sadism. Archaeologists have also found great numbers of jars containing the tiny bones of children who were sacrificed to Baal. In short, Canaan had become like Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible consistently records that God has patience with decadent societies for a time, but judgment inevitably follows. For Sodom and Gomorrah it took the form of fire and brimstone. For Canaan, it came through Joshua's conquering armies.

Life Question: Can an argument be made today for supporting a holy war?

In the Old Testament, God was dealing primarily with one particular nation, the Israelites, for a very specific purpose. When Christ finally emerged out of that nation, everything changed. Although Jesus' followers all lived in the same territory captured by Joshua, the "promised land", he also commanded his disciples to go out, away from Jerusalem, into all the world...and to go not as conquering armies but rather as bearers of the Good News that applies to all people, races, and nations. I find it terribly sad that after all these years, there is still so much turmoil and hatred in the world, particularly the Middle East...and I'm guessing that God feels the same way too.

Joshua 7: Slow Learners

Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them. Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.

Inevitably perhaps, the Israelites get cocky after Jericho. Since they have conquered a fortified city without firing an arrow, the next target, the puny town of Ai, seems to pose no threat at all. A few thousand soldiers stroll toward Ai. A short time later those same soldiers- minus the dead and wounded- are scrambling for camp, thoroughly routed.

Clearly, the juxtaposition of these two stories, Jericho and Ai, is meant to convey a lesson. If the Israelites obey God and place their trust in him, no challenge is too great to overcome. On the other hand, if they insist on their own way, no obstacle is too small to trip them up.

This humiliating defeat, coming so quickly after the great victory at Jericho, demoralizes even Joshua. Realizing that without God's protection the Israelites are hopelessly vulnerable- trapped without possibility of escape- Joshua momentarily loses all courage. And yet, the trouble at Ai comes because of the deeds of a single man who greedily disobeys God's battle commands. His punishment is drastic.

After the painful lesson of Ai, Joshua relearns an important lesson in leadership. The public exposure of Achan's sin underscores the need to follow God's orders scrupulously, even in the earthly matter of warfare. God will not tolerate any of the lying or looting that is typical of invading armies

Life Question: Why would such a seemingly "little" sin, like Achan's deceit, have such major consequences? Do you think punishment stories like these help to bring the Christian church closer together?

Evidently the fledgling nation needed a strong lesson regarding the consequences of taking God's word lightly. That said, verse 20 clearly relates Achan's confession of his sin, and yet, the punishment is a swift and seemingly unmerciful death. In all honestly, I do struggle with stories like this one- similar to Ananias and Sapphira's death in Acts 5- where God gives no opportunity for reconciliation, but rather metes out a swift and severe punishment of death. It seems to contradict Christ's message of reaching out to the downtrodden, sinful men and women of the earth.

Joshua 6: And the Walls Came Crumbling Down

On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 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.

The Israelites' abysmal failures in the Sinai Desert traced back to a simple matter of disobedience. Led by a dark cloud each day and a pillar of fire each night, they had unmistakable divine guidance. Yet they insisted on choosing their own way over God's. Will the next generation, their children, respond any differently now that they are marching through the promised land?

The residents of Canaan, who have long heard about the Israelites' plan to conquer them, brace for the worst. Citizens of Jericho, the first city in the invaders' path, barricade themselves within the walls of the city and await the expected attack. Instead, they watch, dumbfounded, as the Israelites apparently conduct worship rather than military maneuvers.

God has put the Israelites' obedience to the test. Instead of storming the walls, they must circle them in procession. Rather than swords, they use trumpets. The bizarre tactics of the Israelites in besieging Jericho leave no doubt that God alone is in charge. An army can hardly take credit for victory when it merely marches around in circles and shouts at their enemies.

And so against all odds, the walls of Jericho do fall down, and the Israelites take the city. As was true of the ten plagues on Egypt, the destruction of Jericho- probably a center for the worship of the moon god in Canaan- symbolically announces open warfare between the God of the Israelites and the pagan gods of the region.

Life Question: Do you ever feel foolish or strange when you follow what you are convinced is God's plan for you?

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Not so much now, but I do remember back in high school and college where a number of my friends used to ride me about being involved in Search (a Christian retreat program) as well as playing in the contemporary church choir each Sunday. I was never really one to go to the weekend parties, and my circle of friends were not always considered to be the "in crowd." Looking back at all of this now, I realize that Christ had a plan for me and kept calling me back into an on-going relationship with him each time I began to allow other folks to try and sway me away from him.

Joshua 2: New Spies, New Spirit

They said to Joshua, "The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us."

On the surface, not much had changed in 40 years. The band of refugees amassing beside the Jordan River greatly resembled a similar horde from four decades before. They had panicked once. Would they again? The Israelites still faced overwhelming odds. They had no chariots or even horses. They had only primitive arms, an untested new leader, and long-delayed marching orders from God.

Yet, an entirely new spirit characterizes this group, and the spy story in this chapter expresses that difference clearly. After a reconnaissance mission 40 years before, only two of twelve spies had held out any optimism. But Joshua, one of the two original optimists, now leads this new generation of Israelites. And this time, he handpicks his own scouts, and their report makes a sharp contrast with the earlier spy report in Numbers 13:31-33. The new scouts conclude that God has given the land of Canaan into the Israelites' hands; indeed, they report that the Canaanites tremble at the Israelites' approach.

The heroine of this chapter, Rahab the pagan prostitute, becomes a favorite figure in Jewish stories. She offers proof that God honors true faith from anyone, regardless of race or religious background. Rahab saw things differently from everyone else in her community, and she gambled her future on that vision. Even though her people of Jericho were determined to dig in and fight God's chosen people, Rahab took the opposite course: She chose to join the opposition. Concluding that Israel's God was the real God, she took a stand against her own people and followed the God of the Israelites. In fact, Rahab, survivor of Jericho, becomes a direct ancestor of Jesus.

Life Question: Moses' spies and Joshua's spies surveyed the same land, but they brought back radically different reports. As you confront obstacles, are you more likely to see them as problems or as opportunities?
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For me, I guess it depends on the "prize." If it's something of great value, then yes...most folks I imagine would tend to look at obstacles as opportunities. For example, this morning's sound check problems/ "obstacles" provided us all with the "opportunity" to chat about the Cavs' big win over the weekend, gaze at the beautiful new carpet that's up on the platform, memorize the 50 million new cuts/ key changes from the charts, and simply enjoy fellowship with everyone in the praise band...right, Greg?