As I read about Joshua taking off his sandals because he is standing on holy ground, I think about a show I watched on TBN last night. It was a discussion between a Catholic priest and a protestant pastor. They were talking about what Catholics and Protestants/Evangelicals could learn from each other. The pastor thought that we could learn a lesson about reverence and awe from the Catholics. We sometimes approach God too casually. It definitely gave me something to think about.
In regards to defeating Jericho, I noted that before the battle even began, God told Joshua, "I have delivered Jericho into your hands." My footnote reminded me that we can have the same confidence! We will be in battles with the enemy, but God has already won.
By the end of chapter 8, it seems like Israel is mostly getting it right at this point. Their response to the siege of Ai is to build an alter and worship God.
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Just like Moses was told to take off his sandals at the burning bush, Joshua is told to take his off. I agree that we fail to recognize the true depth of God's holiness, and that holy God of the OT is still the God we serve today.
ReplyDeleteWith Jericho the people had a role to play in the tearing down the walls. They had to shout and basically verbalize their faith and trust in God through their shouting. They didn't care how they sounded or looked, they wanted to be obediant.
But we see Achan and he did not listen to the orders. Didn't think anyone would notice him taking some extra loot for him and his family that was supposed to be destroyed. In the end it destroyed him and his family. Just as laid out in Deuteronomy, we cannot tolerate sin in our own families or the consequences may come back on us.
Jenn