THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR
The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is his name. (Exod. 15:3 ESV)
In our last devotional, we noted that Israel, the former slaves, were being shaped into a fierce spiritual warrior tradition. There has been plenty of people groups, who have been merciless conquerors: Vikings, the Romans, the Huns, the Nazis, etc. Israel would be motivated by a Holy God, who sought to right wrongs, and who wanted to bless the entire earth, not subjugate it (Gen. 12: 1-3).
The battle of Jericho was the beginning for these former slaves, coming back to their own land, and recovering it, from squatters. Israel must now do the hard work of recovering what is legally and rightfully God-given. Never think that spiritually directed endeavors are without conflict. Jesus was resisted his entire ministry, then killed. Paul and Peter were persecuted, punished, jailed for declaring, good news! The American Civil War was fought over the noble idea of freedom for all.
Fighting for the things of infinite value, can be ruggedly resisted.
Earlier, when Jewish spies had reconnoitered the Promised Land, they discovered: The people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. (Num. 13:28 ESV). Tough, hardened, fortified enemies waited, ready for combat.
When Israel first crossed over the Jordan river to enter the Promised land, they had to do it by faith. God promised an easy crossing of the Jordan River: and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water… the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away…and the people passed over opposite Jericho. (Jos. 3:15,16 ESV).
The time for conquest, was now set. The Lord set the precedence of having the Ark of the Covenant, carried by his priests go as the vanguard. This precedence was going to be repeated by the Lord in front of the city of Jericho. Why, the Ark and the priests? Why didn’t Joshua go under a flag of truce and tell them to surrender? Or, why not shoot flaming arrows over the wall and start a fire? The Lord is communicating to Jericho, as well as to the Israelites about his character and plan. The people of Jericho are watching.
Remember the people of Jericho knew Israel owned the land: Rahab a citizen of Jericho said: “I know that the LORD has given you the land (2:9). This was common knowledge, it was not in secret handshakes, or coded speech, of a select few. Jericho was resisting God.
Joshua was not free to plan his own strategy. He is given instructions. Read Joshua 6:3-5. The Lord’s battle plan will make your head spin. Walk around Jericho with the Ark and blow horns! Well Israel had seen the Lord part the Red Sea, and stop the Jordan River, and that worked. The Israelites gave the Lord another shot at doing things his way. Success is contagious. Don’t complain and do what God says – good advice for us, too.
God’s battle plan called for giving the Ark the place of honor, the focus of everyone’s attention. The Ark carried the Ten Commandments. This meant Israel was subject to Divine Law. Israel marched into the Promised land led by the Word of God.
What did the people of Jericho think? They were not impressed. They did not surrender. The things of the Law of God had no impact on them. If fact they resisted the information of the Law, refusing to obey it. By doing so, they now would be subject to the justice of God. This is not unusual throughout history.
Adolph Hitler declared: “We are fighting against the most ancient curse that humanity has brought upon itself. Against the so-called Ten Commandments, against them we are fighting.” He said his life’s mission was to destroy, “…the tyrannical God of the Jews [and his] life denying Ten Commandments.” [i]
Things did not work out well for Hitler. Resisting the Creator of the universe is foolish, since he is powerful, and holy. He will let justice speak to those who wish to defy his righteousness.
Joshua understood that if Israel obeyed the Lord directions that: And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. (Jos. 6:2 ESV). Victory was assured. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matt. 24:35 ESV). Count on God’s Word, it is true (John 17:17), as well as eternal, and powerful, and convicting, and wise, incisive, satisfying, etc.
Israel will be led by priests, not Joshua. Priests, the ordained persons are to lead the mission to defeat those who resist the Lord. Priests are the pointmen, the Ark is the invincible instrument that will assure victory. God puts men of character to represent his Word, at the front of his initiatives. God works by the power of his Word through people who are committed to represent him, to a lost and resisting world. If you are a genuine believer in Jesus Christ you are:
…a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Pet. 2:9 ESV).
The Lord will use you to represent him to a world that does not know him. Fact.
[i] THE RATIONAL BIBLE: EXODUS. Prager, Dennis. P. 217
THE WARRIOR’S PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, help me take my eyes off myself and put them on you. Let me trust the future to you, though I’m anxious about tomorrow. You are the God of eternity, and command all the forces of nature, so help me to trust your promises and not my abilities. Let your Word be my anchor, not my imagination or desires.
Help me remember that you are always with me (Josh. 1:5), in my spiritual and emotional battles. Do not let spiritual warfare overwhelm me, rather help me be a conqueror. Do not let my emotional struggles take control of my decisions. Do not let my physical weaknesses steal my spiritual joy. Let me experience the fullness of your presence, and delight in you (Psalm 37:4).
Let your power enhance my abilities, so I can reflect your glory. Help me minister to my family, the same way you minister to me. Give me a vision to strive for, a goal that you desire, let it be mine. May my quest be your delight, and allow me to stand in your stead as a spiritually purposed man, and let my life speak volumes of your character. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
