Tuesday, January 7: Joshua 6- A test of obedience.

The capture of Jericho is certainly strange militarily. What general would design this battle strategy? A person reading this account can see the hand of God. There is little doubt God was making Himself known in the battle of Jericho.

And yet, as I read the account this morning, I also saw the obedience required by Joshua and the people of Jericho. The crossing of the Jordan certainly solidified Joshua as Israel’s leader, demonstrating his connection to the Lord. But Jericho was his first military campaign, and the strategy he explained to the people was crazy from a human perspective.

Had God given it? Joshua and the people would only find out through obedience… seven days of obedience!

God, it seems, was testing Israel’s obedience and God was testing Joshua’s obedience.

I thought through a number of Israel’s leaders…Moses, Joshua, Saul, David, Solomon, Reheboam, etc. Each man faced a situation early on where their heart was exposed and their obedience tested. Those who ‘passed’ rose in prominence. Those who failed (i.e. Saul and Reheboam) failed.

Obedience…

Obedience is key…

Am I, are you, passing God’s obedience test?

Lord, David refused to kill Saul, God’s anointed… he passed. Saul didn’t wait to sacrifice the offering as Samuel instructed… he failed. Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches… he passed. Reheboam refused the advice of the wise confidantes of his father choosing the reckless advice of his peers… he failed.

Lord, give me grace to choose obedience today and every day. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Another thought hit me, obedience is not the same as perfection. Each of the leaders above sinned, but David would come to his senses and repent after his sin. Solomon, who strayed from God much of his life, repented toward the end and came home to his Lord.

Obedience is key, but repentance is always needed because none of us are perfect. None of us.

Lord, thank You for the gift of repentance and forgiveness… Hallelujah. Amen.