March 6th -- Joshua 9-10
Read these chapters at http://www.bible.com/ or with the BIBLE READER to the left of this post. Only two chapters today-- a reasonable amount for a sleepy Saturday... :)
I'll admit, today's reading was one of those sour-sweet type of days. First off, Joshua and God helped the Israelites conquer a TON of people today, which gained them a lot of land, and a lot of goods. But on the other hand, they killed many people in the process... so it was a bit of a downer for me.
Here's what I think, though. God promised the Israelites that they were His chosen people. He even preformed all kinds of miracles to prove he was the one and only God, and that no other god could match him. He told them He created them, for heavens sake.
Yesterday we left when the Israelites were celebrating after their win against a few major places, and they made an altar to God to give thanks and praise him for their victories. Today, we started off by reading that nations all across the land were hearing of the miracles God had done for the Israelites, and how well it was going for them. Most of the nations were furious and jealous and scared of the Israelites, so they all prepared armies.
One nation, though, got smart. They realized that these Israelites were powerful people, and they didn't want to get on their bad side. But instead of coming clean and telling the Israelites they needed their help, they lied and played a little trick on them.
They put on old sandals, and old clothes. They loaded their wagons with moldy bread and poor supplies. Then they approached the Israelites and told them they traveled from a far away country to create a peace treaty with the Israelites. Of course, they DID want to make a treaty, but they lied about themselves and made themselves look all poor and needy.
Joshua didn't consult with God about his decision, and agreed to the treaty. Joshua told them that Israelites wouldn't destroy them, and they'd work together. Baaaaaad choice.
Just a few days later, the Israelites found out about their little scheme, but there was nothing they could do. The treaty was done for, and they couldn't lay a finger on the liars. So, Joshua acted quick on his feet. The "poor and needy" nation became wood choppers and water carriers, and they agreed.
Remember what I said about the other nations preparing for war? Well, when they found out about the treaty, they were super angry. (Probably just jealous they didn't think of that idea first...)
So, all the other nations combined forces and became one big super-tribe, planning to kill all the rest of the Gibeonites, (these were the liars who tricked the Israelites into making a treaty.) The super-tribe managed to cut a big chunk out of the Gibeonites, and the ones who were left sent a message to the Israelites asking for help. Since there was a treaty, the Israelites went to provide aid for the Gibeonites, and God was with them the entire time, causing them to easily defeat the super-tribe. The few survivors were killed in a hailstorm.
God is mighty, right?
In fact, he is SO mighty that he paused for a second and told the Israelites they were cared for-- literally. He paused the sun in the sky! I'm not sure what this has to do with the Israelites, or God's love, but I guess it portrays just how awesome God really is. Even the sun obeys him, He after all, created it.
Everything goes uphill from here. With God on their side, the Israelites took every city they needed, with ease. Who knows what would have happened if they never had God.
That, I think, is very comforting. God is on your side, always. Even when you don't think so. Even when NOTHING is going right. He is there, and He always will be. Even if you don't have a relationship with Him, He wants one so badly, he's willing to wait for when you're ready. The ultimate relationship, when the guy doesn't rush things or cause pressure :) Ha ha.
But the God I know isn't like a spouse, or a child you have to keep up with. He's like a father that never stops loving you. He's perfect, and knows what to do-- always. Who doesn't want that, right? Be thankful we live in a country with a freedom to believe in whatever God we want, and be thankful there's a God out there who actually does what He says He'll do!
Alright then. I'll be here tomorrow, too. Peace out!
Read these chapters at http://www.bible.com/ or with the BIBLE READER to the left of this post. Only two chapters today-- a reasonable amount for a sleepy Saturday... :)
I'll admit, today's reading was one of those sour-sweet type of days. First off, Joshua and God helped the Israelites conquer a TON of people today, which gained them a lot of land, and a lot of goods. But on the other hand, they killed many people in the process... so it was a bit of a downer for me.
Here's what I think, though. God promised the Israelites that they were His chosen people. He even preformed all kinds of miracles to prove he was the one and only God, and that no other god could match him. He told them He created them, for heavens sake.
Yesterday we left when the Israelites were celebrating after their win against a few major places, and they made an altar to God to give thanks and praise him for their victories. Today, we started off by reading that nations all across the land were hearing of the miracles God had done for the Israelites, and how well it was going for them. Most of the nations were furious and jealous and scared of the Israelites, so they all prepared armies.
One nation, though, got smart. They realized that these Israelites were powerful people, and they didn't want to get on their bad side. But instead of coming clean and telling the Israelites they needed their help, they lied and played a little trick on them.
They put on old sandals, and old clothes. They loaded their wagons with moldy bread and poor supplies. Then they approached the Israelites and told them they traveled from a far away country to create a peace treaty with the Israelites. Of course, they DID want to make a treaty, but they lied about themselves and made themselves look all poor and needy.
Joshua didn't consult with God about his decision, and agreed to the treaty. Joshua told them that Israelites wouldn't destroy them, and they'd work together. Baaaaaad choice.
Just a few days later, the Israelites found out about their little scheme, but there was nothing they could do. The treaty was done for, and they couldn't lay a finger on the liars. So, Joshua acted quick on his feet. The "poor and needy" nation became wood choppers and water carriers, and they agreed.
Remember what I said about the other nations preparing for war? Well, when they found out about the treaty, they were super angry. (Probably just jealous they didn't think of that idea first...)
So, all the other nations combined forces and became one big super-tribe, planning to kill all the rest of the Gibeonites, (these were the liars who tricked the Israelites into making a treaty.) The super-tribe managed to cut a big chunk out of the Gibeonites, and the ones who were left sent a message to the Israelites asking for help. Since there was a treaty, the Israelites went to provide aid for the Gibeonites, and God was with them the entire time, causing them to easily defeat the super-tribe. The few survivors were killed in a hailstorm.
God is mighty, right?
In fact, he is SO mighty that he paused for a second and told the Israelites they were cared for-- literally. He paused the sun in the sky! I'm not sure what this has to do with the Israelites, or God's love, but I guess it portrays just how awesome God really is. Even the sun obeys him, He after all, created it.
Everything goes uphill from here. With God on their side, the Israelites took every city they needed, with ease. Who knows what would have happened if they never had God.
That, I think, is very comforting. God is on your side, always. Even when you don't think so. Even when NOTHING is going right. He is there, and He always will be. Even if you don't have a relationship with Him, He wants one so badly, he's willing to wait for when you're ready. The ultimate relationship, when the guy doesn't rush things or cause pressure :) Ha ha.
But the God I know isn't like a spouse, or a child you have to keep up with. He's like a father that never stops loving you. He's perfect, and knows what to do-- always. Who doesn't want that, right? Be thankful we live in a country with a freedom to believe in whatever God we want, and be thankful there's a God out there who actually does what He says He'll do!
Alright then. I'll be here tomorrow, too. Peace out!
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