jericho

joshua 5-7


here we see a real life example of the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.

joshua's obedience to God was simple, he followed all god's instructions, and two good things came out of it.
1. the israelites crossed the jordan safely
2. all the canaanites balls shrank

so that israel can circumcize the guys upon reaching the promised land.

the first thing they did was honour god!

not very wise strategy, making yourself so vulnerable in a land full of enemies.
but they put god first, and god put fear in the canaanites and kept them away.

and then, by just taking a walk, the thick walls of jericho-the city of giants--on which chariot races could be held, came crashing down, and they went in for the slaughter.

oddly enough all the incredible things God had done wasnt enough to instill fear of Him in his people. or just one joker.

i mean, there are so many cities. God said, just give me this one. ONE. GOD.
this guy, for some reason or the other musnt have seen God as a very big threat, cos he koped a robe, 2.3 kg of silver, and 600 g of gold. that isn't exactly something you slip into your pocket and forget about and "accidentally" discover later that you didnt pay for it or put it back.

in contrast to the earlier situation with jericho, the next place they went, they barely got up to theplace when the bad guys came and beat them, and even killed some of their number. can you see?

at first, no fiight, flatten city.
second time, haven't fight, kena pwned.

and as a result of his greed and folly, that joker that sinned against God, his whole family, all his sheep and donkeys and everything were stoned and burnt. hai.

in contrast Rahab and her entire family was saved.
when you obey God YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY--all the people you love the most--benefit.

more than that, Rahab had the honour of being in the lineage of THE CHRIST.


huge difference.

let us not be caught on the spur of the moment doing something stupid.
oh, god, that i never be found in that position.