December 28 – Joshua 6:12-21
December 28 – Joshua 6:12-21
12 Then
Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of
the Lord. 13 And
the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of
the Lord walked on, and
they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them,
and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew
continually. 14 And the second day they marched
around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.
15 On the
seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in
the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around
the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time,
when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for
the Lord has given you
the city. 17 And the city and all that is within it
shall be devoted to the Lord for
destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her
house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18 But
you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have
devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of
Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19 But
all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of
the Lord.” 20 So
the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard
the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall
fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight
before him, and they captured the city. 21 Then
they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and
old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
As I am reading these
verses this morning, a few things jump out at me. Not that I haven’t noticed them before, but
more than I am thinking about them in a different way. God instructed these people to not just march
and stay silent, then blow trumpets, but God gave them specific instructions for
how these things were to be done, how many times, how often as well as who was
to blow the trumpets. Everything was
lined up specifically for a purpose. I
know this might sound really silly in comparison to God’s plan, but when I make
a cake I have to add a certain amount of ingredients at a certain time and
often in a specific order and added as I stir, etc. Then I put it in the oven for a specific
period of time after putting it in a certain size pan that is prepared in a
specific way. Everything has to be done
a certain way in a planned order for it to come out the way it is supposed to
come out. No wonder the world is in such
a mess. We have things in the order and
way it pleases us, rather than how God knew it would work best. We’re putting tings in a microwave wanting it
to happen right now, that God intended to be in a crock pot and take time.
What can you think of in
your life, or that you have observed that is an example of how we have tried to
put our own recipe or “spin” on something God has already perfected?
Heavenly Father, forgive
us as a people for how we have tried to take Your perfection and create
something better. Why on earth would we
even think that was possible? I’m just
as guilty because I know I have tried to cut corners and make things happen
quicker that just take time. I think
about how I want to know You better and sometimes push to read and understand
something You know I’m not ready to take on yet. If I just keep my eyes and my focus on You, I
know You will guide me not only on the right path, but at the right time,
walking the right speed, with You by my side.
Thank You Father, for how much You love me.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen!
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