Good morning AMERICA! Joshua chapter 11.
Two things I would like to refer to in this chapter:
- There were at least 13 kings that joined forces with numerous fighting men along with numerous horses and chariots. From a human standpoint, this would be literally an impossible battle to win. But it's a reminder to me that nothing is too big for God to overcome.
- This caught my attention when it said, God hardened the enemies hearts so that they would not make a peace treaty that way they would be destroyed and would be done so without Mercy.
I'm speculating, but these cities were so evil in the eyes of God that they could not be left alive for fear that their influence and presence would be a spiritual poison to Israel.
A. So out of protection for Israel, God destroyed them all.
B. And because God is a just God he gave these enemies what was fair. And it was done without Mercy. God's judgement, according to James 2:13, will be without Mercy with those who have shown no mercy. These Kings must have been arrogant Kings, hence showing no mercy to others, resulting in their death with no mercy.
This is a reminder to me to be careful how I treat other people. We will all make mistakes. Are we quick to judge or quick to show Mercy with encouragement? I want to be shown Mercy when I mess up and given encouragement to move forward, so may I be that to others.
After reading chapter 11, I felt like I needed to go jump over to the New Testament and reflect on Matthew 5:9. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
I have to admit that sometimes it is hard for me to grasp all of the killing and bloodshed that takes place as there are so many times that God directs His people to go to battle as we see throughout the Old Testament. Even though I may not always understand, I have to trust that God always does what is best and what is right in every situation. God is always in control and He is the righteous Judge.
I’m reminded of Isaiah 34:1-2.
“Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples!
Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it.
For the Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host;
He has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.”
Here’s what we read in Romans 9:14-18.
“What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then He has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens whomever He wills.”