Most people in our culture would argue that private sins have no public consequences. A Babylonian garment, a wedge of gold, and two hundred shekels of silver coveted are taken. The city was going to be burned anyway. Who would be hurt?
36 people died. The hearts of the enemy were strengthened. Joshua foresaw the doom of the nation if they could not stand before their enemies. While Joshua was on his face mourning, God said "Stand up... Israel has sinned." The repeating phrase "liable to destruction" (Joshua 6:18; 7:1; 7:12) described their condition. Worse, God says "I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."
Leadership is knowing where those under our care stand in relation to God. It is confronting sin, to rescue the offender when possible, to protect the body, and to restore a right standing with God. Now Achan, his sons, his daughters, and all the wealth of his house lie burned in a heap in the Valley of Trouble.
The "Valley of Achor" became a byword (Hosea 2:15). There is a new memorial, however grim, to warn the next generation against unfaithfulness. Like the rocks drawn from the midst of the Jordan, the valley is a teachable moment. Trust, respect, and obey the Lord who leads you. Personal disobedience is corporate trouble.
Showing posts with label Joshua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joshua. Show all posts
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Liable to Destruction
Jericho was the first display of the Diving Warrior on the west side of the Jordan River. The battle plans, odd as they were, underscored the power of God. If trumpets and marching and shouting could bring about the destruction of the chief city in the promised land, then everyone would have to know it was God that did it.
Jericho was to be "devoted to God." It was to be totally destroyed as an offering. It would show respect for the Divine Conqueror- giving Him the first fruits of all the bounty they were about to receive. The obedience, submission, and self-restraint of each warrior would prove a solid wall of respect for God. Every warrior was expected to pass by the wealth of Jericho, leaving it in a fiery heap, in recognition that God would soon abundantly supply. Those who would steal from God, who could not wait out of respect for God, would make themselves liable to destruction. They, their families, and their nation would suffer the consequences of their private sin.
If the solid wall of respect for God had gaps, it meant that someone had contempt for God. We commonly think of contempt as words and actions that show we despise another. In the case of Achan, contempt for God lay hidden in a quick decision, a rash judgment to profit privately from items that were going to be burned anyway. It makes good sense if respect for God is not taken into account. And of course, that is the definition of contempt.
Jericho was to be "devoted to God." It was to be totally destroyed as an offering. It would show respect for the Divine Conqueror- giving Him the first fruits of all the bounty they were about to receive. The obedience, submission, and self-restraint of each warrior would prove a solid wall of respect for God. Every warrior was expected to pass by the wealth of Jericho, leaving it in a fiery heap, in recognition that God would soon abundantly supply. Those who would steal from God, who could not wait out of respect for God, would make themselves liable to destruction. They, their families, and their nation would suffer the consequences of their private sin.
If the solid wall of respect for God had gaps, it meant that someone had contempt for God. We commonly think of contempt as words and actions that show we despise another. In the case of Achan, contempt for God lay hidden in a quick decision, a rash judgment to profit privately from items that were going to be burned anyway. It makes good sense if respect for God is not taken into account. And of course, that is the definition of contempt.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
"Melting Hearts" and Rebellion
God does an unusual thing when he talks to Joshua about the upcoming battle with Jericho. He says, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands." In God's eyes, the war was already over. God was the deciding factor. The weapons and defenses and soldiers of Jericho do not need to be taken into account before an omnipotent God. It was time again for the nation to trust, to witness, and to prepare for building another memorial of faith.
While such faith is laudable (see Hebrews 11), God did not mean it to be rare. Such trust is the only possible answer when the circumstances are understood as they really are. The problem comes when our eyes fix on the circumstances of war and not on the Lord of Hosts. The people become big in our minds and God becomes small. And God calls that rebellion.
"How long will these people treat me with contempt?" he asks Moses (Numbers 14:11). God argues that refusing to believe in spite of the miraculous things he has done (Remember the Red Sea parting?) was equal in His mind to rebellion. God's glory and reputation were bound up in His activity. His people had seen miracles yet refused to believe. God says that first generation tested Him 10 times, the full measure of His patience, and that not one of them would see the land He had promised to them.
In the passage in Numbers, Caleb provides the laudable pattern of response. "My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly." If we are going to see miracles, then we need a spirit of submission, humility, and obedience. We need a desire to follow Christ wholeheartedly. May God grant us a tribe of Calebs.
God, forgive the focus of my eyes. I did not mean to turn them from You. Remember my weakness. Restore a right spirit in me.
While such faith is laudable (see Hebrews 11), God did not mean it to be rare. Such trust is the only possible answer when the circumstances are understood as they really are. The problem comes when our eyes fix on the circumstances of war and not on the Lord of Hosts. The people become big in our minds and God becomes small. And God calls that rebellion.
"How long will these people treat me with contempt?" he asks Moses (Numbers 14:11). God argues that refusing to believe in spite of the miraculous things he has done (Remember the Red Sea parting?) was equal in His mind to rebellion. God's glory and reputation were bound up in His activity. His people had seen miracles yet refused to believe. God says that first generation tested Him 10 times, the full measure of His patience, and that not one of them would see the land He had promised to them.
In the passage in Numbers, Caleb provides the laudable pattern of response. "My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly." If we are going to see miracles, then we need a spirit of submission, humility, and obedience. We need a desire to follow Christ wholeheartedly. May God grant us a tribe of Calebs.
God, forgive the focus of my eyes. I did not mean to turn them from You. Remember my weakness. Restore a right spirit in me.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Leadership and Influence - Part Two
"I will begin to exalt you..."- Joshua 3:7
Recognizing the sovereignty of God in leadership is an incredibly freeing idea. There is an end to our ability to influence. When we push beyond, words like "coerce," "Force," and "controlling" become adjectives describing our leadership. Jeremiah was called to faithful ministry, yet warned by God that he would not be successful in leading the nation to repentance, avoiding captivity.
In God's eyes, our faithfulness is more important than our influence. When we put our trust in Christ and render faithfulness, we can win or lose in the world's eyes with no harm to our souls. If we lose influence, we trust God. If we gain influence, we do not become prideful because our faithfulness reminds us that influence comes, not because of our skill, but because of God's purposes in our life and the lives of those we serve.
Recognizing the sovereignty of God in leadership is an incredibly freeing idea. There is an end to our ability to influence. When we push beyond, words like "coerce," "Force," and "controlling" become adjectives describing our leadership. Jeremiah was called to faithful ministry, yet warned by God that he would not be successful in leading the nation to repentance, avoiding captivity.
In God's eyes, our faithfulness is more important than our influence. When we put our trust in Christ and render faithfulness, we can win or lose in the world's eyes with no harm to our souls. If we lose influence, we trust God. If we gain influence, we do not become prideful because our faithfulness reminds us that influence comes, not because of our skill, but because of God's purposes in our life and the lives of those we serve.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
"You Have Not Been This Way Before"
Leadership texts draw a distinction between crystalized intelligence and fluid intelligence. Both intelligences are essential for leadership. The former is the ability to make decisions based on a lifetime of experiences. The past becomes a resource for current decisions. Fluid intelligence is also the ability to make good decisions, but it has no reference to the past. The leader with fluid intelligence is able to shift direction with rapidly, changing circumstances. On what do you base decisions then?
"You have never been this way before." The people were told to stay close to their leaders, to follow the ark, and to give themselves wholly to God. Joshua would have the responsibility to lead a new generation where they have never been. Protection and provision for more than a million people would be his task.
Joshua will consecrate himself first. He will meditate first, more and often. He will plead for God's presence in all situations as promised. He will hold out the hope to God's people that tomorrow "God will do amazing things among you." And he will be careful to obey as he holds close God's promise of success. "Be strong and courageous..."
Fluid intelligence for the Christian leader is an issue of faith. He will trust his crystalized experiences with God in the past and His word in the present. In a future world where we have never been, only God can pilot a sure course.
Father, we look to You for guidance. Our strength and wisdom are small. We do not know the future or any of the contingencies. Give us faith to trust You even in the dark. We give ourselves to You and ask for holiness in return. We wait in anticipation of the amazing hope of Your presence. Show us the way that we should go for to You we lift up our souls. Amen.
"You have never been this way before." The people were told to stay close to their leaders, to follow the ark, and to give themselves wholly to God. Joshua would have the responsibility to lead a new generation where they have never been. Protection and provision for more than a million people would be his task.
Joshua will consecrate himself first. He will meditate first, more and often. He will plead for God's presence in all situations as promised. He will hold out the hope to God's people that tomorrow "God will do amazing things among you." And he will be careful to obey as he holds close God's promise of success. "Be strong and courageous..."
Fluid intelligence for the Christian leader is an issue of faith. He will trust his crystalized experiences with God in the past and His word in the present. In a future world where we have never been, only God can pilot a sure course.
Father, we look to You for guidance. Our strength and wisdom are small. We do not know the future or any of the contingencies. Give us faith to trust You even in the dark. We give ourselves to You and ask for holiness in return. We wait in anticipation of the amazing hope of Your presence. Show us the way that we should go for to You we lift up our souls. Amen.
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Irony of a Short-term Memory
It was meant to be an encouragement to a young leader. The unity of the people, the vow of support. But the words ring hollow: "Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you."
Forgotten are their complaints over the lack of water or its bitterness and the lack of meat. Forgotten also is the matter of a golden calf and continuing complaints over Moses' leadership. The 10 spies' report and 40 years of wandering were hardly testimony to a consistent obedience.
The leader must not be too judgmental. Good intentions are there. Holy desires. Hope for a better future. The leader will need strength and courage to follow through, but he will also need compassion for God's people. He must have an eye to see what they can and will become. He must forgive and lead with loving perseverance.
If there is irony in the vow, there is also hope for change. If Joshua can forget the people's failures in the past, his own short-term memory loss, he will be free to lead with new energy and joy.
Lord, give us unity of Spirit in all that You call us to be and to do. Help us forgive each other, trust each other, and rejoice together in Your promises.
Forgotten are their complaints over the lack of water or its bitterness and the lack of meat. Forgotten also is the matter of a golden calf and continuing complaints over Moses' leadership. The 10 spies' report and 40 years of wandering were hardly testimony to a consistent obedience.
The leader must not be too judgmental. Good intentions are there. Holy desires. Hope for a better future. The leader will need strength and courage to follow through, but he will also need compassion for God's people. He must have an eye to see what they can and will become. He must forgive and lead with loving perseverance.
If there is irony in the vow, there is also hope for change. If Joshua can forget the people's failures in the past, his own short-term memory loss, he will be free to lead with new energy and joy.
Lord, give us unity of Spirit in all that You call us to be and to do. Help us forgive each other, trust each other, and rejoice together in Your promises.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Taking the Mantle of Leadership
"Moses, my servant, is dead." For forty years, the young nation had been held together by the faithfulness of one leader to his God. The nation complained, the nation wandered, the nation rebelled. The prophetic power and the personal humility of Moses anchored the double-minded faith of a nation. His strong faith in God led the nation through plagues and war, hunger and defeat, direction and judgment.
"Moses, my servant is dead." However, wayward the nation, 40 years of stability had resulted from Moses' leadership. Joshua had been there as Moses' aid, observing his trust in God, his leadership style, and the willingness of the people to follow. Now, God was calling Joshua to put on Moses' mantle, but without the encouragement, stability, and strength of his mentor's presence. What resources did Joshua have in the enterprise to come?
*The promise of the presence of God
*The Book of the Law on which to meditate and obey
*The support of the people
"Be strong and courageous." It was no mean task to don the mantle of leadership in the wake of Moses' death. Joshua would need every ounce of power, strength, and courage to assume the task. It is not enough to say that the character of Joshua or the circumstances of the hour predisposed him to leadership. It was the calling of God.
Thomas Carlyle as a historian wrote "We have known times call loudly enough for their great men, but not find them when they called. They were not there..the time, calling its loudest, had to go down to confusion and wreck because he would not come when called."
Thank You, Lord, for those Christian leaders who have gone before us. They challenged us, trained us, corrected us, and inspired us to dream that You might have a plan for us as well. We shudder at the responsibility of the role You have given and we ask You to make us strong. Our courage and strength must come from You or we will not have it. Keep close to us and keep us close to Your Word. Amen.
"Moses, my servant is dead." However, wayward the nation, 40 years of stability had resulted from Moses' leadership. Joshua had been there as Moses' aid, observing his trust in God, his leadership style, and the willingness of the people to follow. Now, God was calling Joshua to put on Moses' mantle, but without the encouragement, stability, and strength of his mentor's presence. What resources did Joshua have in the enterprise to come?
*The promise of the presence of God
*The Book of the Law on which to meditate and obey
*The support of the people
"Be strong and courageous." It was no mean task to don the mantle of leadership in the wake of Moses' death. Joshua would need every ounce of power, strength, and courage to assume the task. It is not enough to say that the character of Joshua or the circumstances of the hour predisposed him to leadership. It was the calling of God.
Thomas Carlyle as a historian wrote "We have known times call loudly enough for their great men, but not find them when they called. They were not there..the time, calling its loudest, had to go down to confusion and wreck because he would not come when called."
Thank You, Lord, for those Christian leaders who have gone before us. They challenged us, trained us, corrected us, and inspired us to dream that You might have a plan for us as well. We shudder at the responsibility of the role You have given and we ask You to make us strong. Our courage and strength must come from You or we will not have it. Keep close to us and keep us close to Your Word. Amen.
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