Living with the Canaanites

Today’s Passage – Joshua 22 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Hebrews 5 – 8; Proverbs 19; Psalms 91 – 95)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 25

Read the “0319 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Keep Choosing the Lord,“ and “Don’t Jump to Conclusions.”

“11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. 12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: 13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.” (Joshua 23:11-13)

When the children of Israel entered into the land of Canaan after spending forty years wandering in the wilderness, they were commanded by God to drive out all the inhabitants that were within the borders of their new nation. They mostly obeyed that order from God, but for whatever reason, they failed to get everybody out that God wanted removed (see Joshua 15:63; 16:10; Judges 1:21 for examples). Because these people were allowed to remain in the land, they would be a continuous problem for the people of God. They would be “snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes” (v. 13). The Canaanites that remained in the land would never convert to Judaism nor conform to the laws of Israel, and eventually their worship of false gods along with their immoral practices would influence the Israelites, causing some of God’s people to follow them and become idolatrous and immoral. 

This is a picture of what we see in the lives of many Christians today. We are living in this world but are not supposed to be “of the world” (John 15:23; 17:14 – 17). We are supposed to be “sanctified” through the truth of God’s word. Sanctification means that we are set apart or separated from the world. The problem is that we are living in the midst of a “crooked and perverse nation,” but if we were fully yielded to God and filled with the Holy Spirit, we would also “shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). Unfortunately, just as the world within the land of Canaan negatively influenced the Israelites of Joshua’s day, the world around us is also influencing us. 

Think of all the worldly influences that enter into our lives on a daily basis. We watch television programs that are filled with the practices and philosophies of the world, and we are interacting with people on a daily basis that are clueless about the ways of God. Social media also contains many mixed messages. While we are using it to connect with many of our saved friends and family members, we are also being influenced by those who are lost. Many of our children are walking in the counsel of the ungodly through their unsaved teachers and worldly curriculums within the public schools. 

I don’t think the solution to this problem is isolation. The Amish and others like them have tried to practice that form of extreme separation for years but have been unsuccessful in completely shielding their children from the attractions of the world. I do believe that we need to be more separated than we are. After all, it is biblically commanded:

“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

However, we will never be able to completely separate ourselves, our families, and our churches from all of the worldly and sinful influences that are all around us. Therefore we will need to make sure that the worship of God and our service for Him is so much more exciting, fulfilling, and even alluring than the temptations that this world has to offer. God is awesome, and living the Christian life is the best life anyone could live, but unfortunately our churches have done a poor job of manifesting that truth. Many of our church members feel that they should live for God because it is right to do or maybe because there will be a reward some day for doing so, but they also feel that they are missing something, sacrificing some of their temporal enjoyment. They feel the world is having more fun than they are. The world does a much better job of making its system look attractive than the churches do in glorifying God and making the Christian life appealing. If Christians were able to start really enjoying their relationship with God and their worship of Him, they may just convince a few of the Canaanites that live around them to join with them.

Being a Christian means much more than just a future happiness in eternity, it is also a wonderful, enjoyable, purposeful and abundant life today. We need to do a better job communicating that truth to our world.


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God Is a Promise Keeper

Listen to today’s passage – Joshua 19 – 21 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Joshua 19

Second Milers also read – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Proverbs 18; Psalms 86 – 90

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 19

Read the “0318 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” – (Joshua 21:45)

God’s Faithfulness in Joshua

In the Book of Joshua, in chapters 19 – 21, we see the continuation of the division of the land among the 12 tribes of Israel. Chapter 20 specifically deals with the six cities of refuge and chapter 21 reveals the 48 cities that were to be given to the Levites. These cities were to be given from within the borders of all of the other tribes so that the priests and ministers of the Lord would be nearby all of the people of Israel. The Levites were not really given a possession of land but they were provided cities to live in and suburbs for their cattle to graze in. This is probably where we got the idea of the church parsonage, and it is probably also why the United States Government does not tax these dwellings. God made sure that His ministers were well taken care of by receiving cities and provision from the other tribes.

The verses that really captured my attention, however, from this morning’s reading was in chapter 21, verses 43 – 45. Here, it says that God held up His end of the bargain. He did everything that He said He would do. He promised them a land and He delivered. He promised them victory over the inhabitants of that land and He gave it. He promised them provision all along the way and they were provided for. In fact, the only time that things did not work out as they were supposed to was when the people did not listen to God’s instruction and acted outside of His will.

What This Means for Us Today

We can trust in the promises of God. There are many promises for us in the New Testament as well. Some of them are unconditional, like our eternal security once we’ve placed our faith in Christ.

Our Part In God’s Promises

Many of His promises, however, are conditional upon our obedience and faith. God says that if we will follow and obey Him, He will do certain things for us. For instance, He says that He will provide for us and protect us and give our lives purpose. These are only a few general samples of what God promises His children today. And God will keep up His end of the bargain. He will do what He says He will do. The question, however, is will you follow Him? Will you trust Him and do what you’re supposed to do? If things don’t turn out as He promised, it’s not because God slipped up. It is because we haven’t done what we are supposed to do.

Consider just a few of God’s Promises:
  • Regarding God’s Provision

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33)

“6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6–7)

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)

  • Regarding God’s Peace

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7)

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isa 26:3)

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer 29:11)

  • Regarding Purpose

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)

Why not find and believe God’s promises for you today, and why not do what He says that you have to do on your end in order for Him to bless you and your family.

A Timeless Reminder: The Rainbow

By the way, the picture of the rainbow at the top is a reminder of one of God’s promises. He promised back in Genesis that He would no longer destroy the whole earth with a flood. There has been flooding at many times and in many places, but the water never again engulfed the entire earth. He told us that He set His bow in the clouds to remind us of that.


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Circumcise Again?: Preparing for Spiritual Battle by Being Set Apart for God

Listen to today’s passage – Joshua 5 – 7 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Joshua 5 

Second Milers also read – 2 Thessalonians 1 – 3; Proverbs 13; Psalms 61 – 65

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 3:1

Read a previous post from today’s passages – “Sin in the Camp“

Read the “0313 Evening and Morning” devotion by Charles Spurgeon.

Did you ever wonder why just before the Battle of Jericho, when the men of Israel were preparing for their first military conquest in their new land, God again commands that all the Israelite males be circumcised? Seems like a strange thing to do right before a major battle. Let’s dig into this story and see why.

The Mystery of the Second Circumcision

“1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel. 2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. 3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of Egypt, them they had not circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey. 7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way. 8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole. 9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. 10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.” (Josh 5:1–10)

Notice this test of their faith came right after the victory of crossing the Jordan River on dry ground. God often will test our faith after a great victory. The Scottish preacher Andrew Bonar (1810–92) used to say, “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.”[1]

We must recognize that we are Ambassadors for the Lord and, as such, we must be completely set apart and yielded to Him.

Circumcision was a seal of the Abrahamic Covenant:

The Abrahamic Covenant that God made with Abraham included land and a nation. (Genesis 17:1 – 13)

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3)

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Exodus 2:24)

“And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.“ (Exodus 6:4-5)

Why the First Generation Failed

God’s people broke the covenant with God when they had rejected God’s promise to bring them into the land victoriously at Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13 and 14), and while they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they neglected the commandment to circumcise their male children, though it was clearly commanded in the Law. (Leviticus 12:3)

God wanted the Israelites to be sure that His covenant with them was still in force, but He wanted them to renew the seal of the covenant with Him.

Interestingly, Moses was also commanded to be circumcised before God would allow him to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt:

“And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.” (Exodus 4:24-26)

Our “Circumcision” in Christ

This Old Testament event doesn’t just teach us about ancient Israel—it points forward to a deeper reality fulfilled in Christ. Circumcision was an outward sign of the fact that a person belonged to God. Circumcision should really be just the outward symbol of an inward, heart condition. In Romans, Paul said:

“For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Romans 2:25-29)

Application: Living Set Apart Today

Paul was not stating here that circumcision was wrong, or that the Jews should no longer observe it. What he is saying, however, is that if an uncircumcised man is living a life that is yielded to God through faith, is he not more set apart for God then the man who is circumcised in his flesh, but is in rebellion.

Dr. Paul Fedena states:

What Paul is saying is that circumcision may identify a person physically with a nation, but it cannot change the heart.  That requires an inward “cutting away” of something more than mere flesh! Lawbreakers negate the symbolism of circumcision and God looks on them as His people only nationally, not spiritually.

Paul argues that the righteousness of the uncircumcised is more likely to gain God’s favor than the unrighteousness of the circumcised.

In Colossians Paul speaks of a circumcision “made w/out hands” which is superior to a fleshly circumcision.[2]

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11)

Circumcision had become a mere formality, a ritual. What was intended to be a symbol of a wonderful relationship with God had instead become a badge of superiority and pride. The Jews looked down their noses on those that were uncircumcised.

Baptism also becomes a mere formality when we just participate physically in the rite of immersion in water, without being immersed in the Spirit and will of God.

One final point to consider regarding circumcision. This move made absolutely no sense militarily. The entire army of Israel would be unable to fight for a few days until they were healed. The army of Jericho could have easily defeated this incapacitated army. Jacob’s sons were once able to destroy all of the men of Shechem while they were “sore” from their circumcision. (Genesis 34) Yet, God wanted His army to be prepared spiritually even as they were preparing militarily.

Notice in v. 9 – “this day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off of you”. Gilgal means “rolled”. God had not only taken them out of Egypt, He was taking Egypt out of them. After forty years of wandering in a desert wilderness, they were finally ready to walk by faith and let God bring them into the land, His way and in His power.

Today, we are also in a spiritual battle and it is just as important that we are spiritually prepared by being set apart for the Lord. 

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Strong (p. 59). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[2] Fedena, Paul Bible Studies in Romans, Lesson 11 “Are You a Jew”


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Still Looking for Joshuas: Strong & Courageous Men Today

Today’s Passage – Joshua 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5; Proverbs 12; Psalms 56 – 60)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – James 4:10

Read the “0312 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “What Mean These Stones?”

In a world full of uncertainty—political chaos, cultural pressure to conform, families under attack, and churches needing bold leadership—where are the men who will stand like Joshua? God is still looking for a few good men who will answer the call to be strong and very courageous.

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” – (Joshua 1:5-8)

“18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.” (Josh 1:18)

Three times in Joshua chapter one, God admonishes Joshua to be strong and courageous. Joshua had a very difficult task ahead of him: he was to take over for perhaps the greatest leader the world had ever seen – Moses. He was to bring the congregation of Israel into the land of promise, and he was to lead them in battle against all of the inhabitants of the land. This was a huge job for any man, and God wanted to make sure that Joshua was mentally prepared for what lay ahead for him.

Joshua had already demonstrated courage and strength in his life prior to his being given the position as the leader of the nation. Consider the following qualifications that Joshua already had going for him:

  • He served the man of God. He was “Moses minister.” It takes a strong and secure man to serve another man faithfully. Joshua was the “behind the scenes guy” in much of the first five books of the Bible, but we never read of Joshua murmering or rebelling in any way against the leadership of Moses. He served Moses for 40 years as they wandered through the wilderness.
  • He stood for right. When the rest of the congregation, including Aaron, was worshipping a golden calf, Joshua was separated from them, waiting patiently for the return of Moses. When ten of the spies came back with an evil report after spying the land, Joshua and Caleb came back ready to fight. They knew that their God was far superior to any giants that were opposing them in the land of Canaan.
  • He studied the Scriptures. He was an expert in the Law that God had given Moses. God stated that the “Book of the Law” was in his mouth. He knew the Bible. He had studied the Scriptures with his mentor for 40 years.

Those three things are the ingredients of a great leader. Joshua was someone who knew what was right to do and was strong enough to do it, even when the rest of the crowd might be pushing him in the other direction. We could use some more Joshuas in America today:

  • Fathers leading their homes spiritually despite busy schedules and cultural headwinds.
  • Husbands defending biblical marriage and family values kindly but firmly.
  • Church members willing to serve quietly (like Joshua did for 40 years) rather than seeking spotlight.
  • Men in the workplace or community standing for truth when it’s unpopular.

Listen to the song – A Few Good Men sung by The Clark Family

What this dying world could use is a willing man of god
Who dares to go against the grain and works without applause;
A man who’ll raise the shield of faith, protecting what is pure;
Whose love is tough and gentle; a man whose word is sure.

God doesn’t need an orator who knows what just to say;
He doesn’t need authorities to reason him away;
He doesn’t need an army to guarantee a win;
He just needs a few good men.

Men full of compassion, who laugh and love and cry-
Men who’ll face eternity and aren’t afraid to die-
Men who’ll fight for freedom and honor once again-
He just needs a few good men.

He calls the broken derelict whose life has been renewed;
He calls the one who know His Son to stand up for the truth.
Enlistment lines are open and he wants you to come in-
He just needs a few good men.

Men full of compassion, who laugh and love and cry-
Men who’ll face eternity and aren’t afraid to die-
Men who’ll fight for freedom and honor once again-
He just needs a few good men.

Men full of compassion, who laugh and love and cry-
Men who’ll face eternity and aren’t afraid to die-
Men who’ll fight for freedom and honor once again-
He just needs a few good men.

So men, the question isn’t whether God is calling—He is. The question is whether you’ll answer. Start today: serve faithfully where you are, stand for what’s right even when it’s hard, and hide God’s Word in your heart. He’s not looking for perfect men—just willing ones. Will you be one of the few good men?


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Who Is On The Lord’s Side?

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 30 – 32 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 30

(Second Milers also read – Luke 15 – 16; Proverbs 30; Psalms 146 – 150

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0130 Evening and Morning” devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Called, Equipped, and Filled.“

Today’s Scripture Focus: Exodus 32

“And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” – (Exodus 32:11-14)

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. … And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” – (Exodus 32:19-20, 25-26)

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” – (Exodus 32:31-32)

The Golden Calf Incident

Moses was a great leader; a strong leader. He not only had to obey God and implement His laws, but he also had to work with a congregation that often resisted those laws and would often complain about every decision that was made. Moses was often blamed for any problems that Israel faced as they wandered through the wilderness those forty years. Though Moses struggled at times, he never stopped loving and obeying His Lord, and He never quit serving the people that He was called to serve, even when it was very difficult.

In our story, we learn that Moses was up on Mt. Sinai with the Lord receiving the Word of God. Moses was with Lord and away from the congregation for a long time, and because the people thought that he possibly was never coming back, they began to put the pressure on Aaron (Moses’ brother) to lead them in Moses’ absence. The problem was that Aaron was not the strong leader that Moses was, and he gave in to all of the whims and wishes of the people. The people literally “heaped to themselves” a leader that would give them what they wanted rather than what was right. So, in just a few short weeks after Moses left the congregation to meet with God, we see the congregation of Israel abandoning all of the principles that they had learned from God through Moses. The people were now creating their own god – a golden calf.

Moses’ Leadership in the Crisis

When God reveals to Moses what is going on with the people down in the valley, Moses immediately begins to intercede on behalf of the people. He begs God not to destroy the people. It would have been very easy for Moses to irrationally desire that God get rid of the people and start over again, but Moses loved the people that God had entrusted to his care, and he did not want to see any harm come to them. However, when Moses finally gets down to the people, he literally throws a fit of righteous indignation and he takes the hard steps that were necessary to root the evil out of the congregation. Ultimately, 3,000 people were put to death. I am sure that Moses had some friends and maybe even family members among the group that were killed as a result of his order, but he did what he had to do in order to save the entire congregation. That is leadership. Leaders are not always popular, but they are willing to do what is right at the risk of losing some people.

Notice in vv. 31 – 32, after Moses dealt with the people, he is back with God interceding for the people he loved. He even goes as far as to tell God that if He wouldn’t forgive the people then God should blot Moses out of “thy book that thou hast written.”  That is love, and that is leadership. Leaders are not only brave, willing to stand for what they believe, but they are also compassionate and patient.

Joshua faced similar battles and also proved to be a strong leader. He drew a line in the sand and offered his congregation the same choice:

“14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. “15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Josh 24:14–15)

Our Lord, Jesus, was also a very strong leader. Though He loved people and was full of compassion for them when they fell into sin, He also had to fight against a religious culture that was very resistant to changes in their extra-biblical traditions and extremely intolerant to anyone who dared violate or even question them. 

Application for Today

Unfortunately, there is a serious famine of strong leadership in our culture today. Moses, Joshua, and Jesus risked unpopularity to confront sin and resist the challenges from those who attempted to lead the people away from the will of God. Modern leaders must also sometimes say “no” to cultural pressures, even if it costs them followers or approval. They must also be willing to stand against those who would attempt to promote their own agenda. We need more of this type of strong leadership in our country today. We need it in our churches, and we need it in our families. Too many leaders today are politicians like Aaron that only want to score points with people. They don’t want to risk their popularity by standing on principle.

“God, give us some men and women that will be willing to make the hard decisions that need to be made in order to do what is right. Give us men that will fight evil and will stand on the principles of the Word of God. God, give us some strong leaders.”

  • Have you faced pressure to compromise your faith?

  • Have you been forced to biblically re-examine issues and make unpopular decisions in light of a changing culture?

  • How can you lead with Moses-like courage this week?


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