Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Joshua 10 - The Sun Stands Still & Kings Defeated

When I was much younger, I was a referee for children's soccer.  I also played on a woman's soccer league.  My husband coached, I assisted and of course I was a soccer mom.   I taught this strategy:  The best defense is a great offense.  Our team did quite well using this strategy.  It also seems to work quite well for Joshua as he leads the Israelites to conquer the land.  It doesn't work so well for the five kings.  They are defeated royally when they attempt to come against the Gibeonites who have a treaty with the Israelites.  The Israelites come to their aid.  This offensive attack by the five kings actually helps Israel in their mission.

The Israelites are indeed on a mission - to take the land that God has given them and it seems as long as they stand on their integrity - they will will indeed take it.  And... they take it in a big way.  Kings fall before them, cities fall, even the sun and the moon stand still at Joshua's command.  Now that (however that happened) had to be a frightening experience.  Imagine coming against the LORD's army led by Joshua, actually at this point they had turned and were running from the Israelites, and huges hailstones come crashing down from the heavens killing the retreating army.  The sun and the moon stand still!  Would not the hail big enough to kill men and the sun and moon standing still for a day be enough to bring fear and trembling to humankind?  Then add to that the pursuit of the army that is being directed by God, Himself! 

Yep!  I would be running too.  Moral of the story... Don't be attacking God's people.  No matter how good you think your offense is going to be, God has a plan for his children to enter the Kingdom he has promised.  Better to be on the Lord's side.

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