Under Gods Command

Under Gods Command

Joshua 7:01 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.

The devoted things refer to all the clothing, cattle, and other plunder that God said Israel should destroy when they conquered Jericho. It was not that they found a good use for something that was going to be thrown out anyway. This was a serious offense because it was in direct defiance to an explicit command of God.

Notice the results of Achan’s sin:
1. Many men died (7-5)
2. Israel’s army melted in fear (7-5)
3. Joshua questioned God (7:7-9)
4. God threatened to withdraw his presence from the people (7:12)
5. Achan and his family had to be destroyed (7:24-26)

When Israel eliminated the sin from their community, these were the results:
1. God’s encouragement (8:1)
2. God’s presence in battle (8:1)
3. God’s guidance and promise of victory (8:2)
4. God’s permission to keep the plunder and livestock from the battle for themselves (8-2)

Throughout Israel’s history, blessing came when the people got rid of their sin. We will also experience blessings when we turn from sin and follow God’s plan wholeheartedly.

Under Gods Command
Proverbs 18.11 – The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, they imagine it an unsalable wall.

In imagining that their wealth is their strongest defense, rich people are sadly mistaken. Money cannot provide safety-there are too many ways for it to lose its power. The government may cease to back it; thieves may steal it; inflation may rob it of all value. But God never loses his power. He is always dependable. Where do you look for security and safety-uncertain wealth or God who is always faithful?

Under Gods Command Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

What kind of friend are you? There is a vast difference between knowing someone well and being a true friend. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty, being available to help in times of distress or personal struggles. Too many people are fair-weather friends. They stick around when the friendship helps them and leave when they’re not getting anything out of the relationship. Think of your friends and assess your loyalty to them. Be the kind of true friend the Bible encourages.

Under Gods Command
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends-even the wicked for a day of disaster.

This verse doesn’t mean that God created some people to be wicked, but rather that God uses even the activities of wicked people to fulfill his good purposes. God is infinite and we are finite. No matter how great our intellects, we will never be able to understand him completely. But we can accept by faith that he is all-powerful, all loving, and perfectly good. We can believe that he is not the cause of evil (James 1:13, 17) and we can trust that there are no loose ends in his system of judgment. Evil is a temporary condition in the universe. One day God will destroy it. In the meantime, he uses even the evil intentions of people for his good purposes (See Genesis 50:20)

Under Gods Command

Joshua 6:2-5 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 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. 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, everyman straight in.”

God told Joshua that Jericho was already delivered into his hands, the enemy was already defeated! What confidence Joshua must have had as he went into battle! Christians also fight against a defeated enemy. Our enemy, Satan, has been defeated by Christ (Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 2:14, 15; 1 John 3:8) Although we still fight battles every day and sin runs rampant in the world, we have the assurance that the war has already been won., we do not have to be paralyzed by the power of a defeated enemy; we can overcome him through Christ’s power.

Under Gods Command
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

It is not easy for a loving parent to discipline a child, but it is necessary. The greatest responsibility that God gives parents is the nurture and guidance of their children. Lack of discipline puts parents love in question because it shows a lack of concern for the character development of their children. Disciplining children averts long-range disaster. Without correction, children grow up with no clear understanding of right and wrong and with little direction to their lives. Don’t be afraid to discipline your children. It is an act of love. Remember, however, that your efforts cannot make your children wise; they can only encourage your children to seek God’s wisdom above all else!

Under Gods Command

Joshua 5:13-15 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked him, “What message does my LORD have for his servant? “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant? The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

This was an angel of superior rank, the commander of the Lord’s army. Some say he was an appearance of God in human form. As a sign of respect, Joshua took off his sandals. Although Joshua was Israel’s leader, he was still subordinate to God, the absolute Leader. Awe and respect are the responses due to our holy God. How can we show respect for God? By our attitudes and actions. We should recognize God’s power, authority, and deep love, and our actions must model our absolute reverence for God. Respect for God is just as important today as it was in Joshua’s day. Even though removing shoes is no longer our cultural way of showing it.