Caffeinated Crunchy Christian Moms

Read: Joshua 11–15

Oh great … Joshua. Today’s reading is difficult because there is more bloodshed and a lot of difficult-to-pronounce names. Still, I want to challenge you to actually read the names instead of skimming over them. Pay attention to names or places that you’ve heard before. You might even go reference to see where else they show up in parts of Scripture. Remember, no words from God are wasted, even when the reading feels repetitive or uncomfortable.

When I used to think of the Promised Land as a child, I imagined this magical, peaceful place, “flowing with milk and honey,” beautiful and perfect. After 40 years of wandering, God was finally bringing Israel into that land. Reading Joshua makes it clear that entering the Promised Land was not peaceful or easy though. Even after 40 years of waiting, the people still had to walk in obedience, trust God step by step, and go to war with the nations living there; especially the Canaanites. The reality is much harsher than the picture I had growing up.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that God was not acting randomly. Scripture shows that He had been patient with these nations for generations, giving them opportunities to turn away from their wicked practices and toward Him. Many of them refused. The Bible describes the Canaanite culture as deeply corrupt and violent; things that God condemned. Their practices included things like:

• Child sacrifice, which today we can compare to abortion & the taking of innocent life. (Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 20:2-5; Jeremiah 7:31; Psalm 106:37-38)
• Sexual violence and exploitation, which today we can compare to rape and trafficking. (Deuteronomy 22:25-27; Psalm 82:3-4; Isaiah 1:17)
• Idolatry, where people place false gods, wealth, and/or power above the one true God. (Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 44:9)
• Occult practices and witchcraft, which directly opposed God. (Deuteronomy 18:10; Micah 5:12)
• Sexual immorality, including practices like homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27), adultery (Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27-28), fornication and sex outside of the covenant of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2), incest (Leviticus 18:6-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1), prostitution (Proverbs 23:27; 1 Corinthians 6:15-16), and bestiality (Leviticus 18:23)

Read more in-depth here: The Extermination of the Canaanites

When we look at our world today, we can still see echoes of these same sins. In fact, many of us are guilty of some of these sins. The forms may look different (or not), but the heart of them, rejecting God’s authority, redefining morality, and devaluing human life, is unfortunately very similar. This does not mean we stop loving people. In fact, as Christians we are still called to love everyone, including those living in sin, because we are sinners too. God still loves each of us even though our sinful choices hurt His heart. Loving people does not mean approving of sinful behavior or pretending it isn’t wrong. Just like God loving us isn’t a free pass to live in sin. We know that sin = death. We are called, as Christians, to speak truth in and through God’s love and to live differently from the rest of the world.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

One major theme I am seeing as I read Joshua is this: God guides us, but He also expects us to act.

Yes, God fights for Israel, but Israel still had to step forward in faith. God does His part, and we are called to do ours.

I once heard something that fits this well:

The Drowning Man

A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.

Soon a man in a rowboat came by and the fellow shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.” The stranded fellow shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.” So the rowboat went on.

Then a motorboat came by. “The fellow in the motorboat shouted, “Jump in, I can save you.” To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the motorboat went on.

Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.” To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.

Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you, but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”

To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”

Discussion Question

Can you think of a time when God may have been answering your prayer in a way that you didn’t recognize?

A Note from the Author