We skipped forward a good long ways in Joshua since
yesterday, about 14 chapters to be precise.
We now have Joshua speaking to the people, giving his valedictory
address as he bids them farewell just as Moses had done in Deuteronomy. The difference is that there is no one to
take his place as he had taken Moses' place.
No obvious and anointed leader is prepared to take the mantle and that
is not going to be a particularly good thing.
His instructions to be strong and do all the Law, deviating neither
right nor left are the same instructions he was given but now they are
addressed to the nation. He is clear
that the success they have enjoyed and all the success they will have in the
future in the work of driving out these other nations to possess the Land is
due to the Lord fighting for them and says they are to cling to Him
always. One of the particular dangers he
sees is intermarriage with the nations that will become a snare and a trap to
them. He knew the propensity of the
human heart to wander from God and allow other gods to come in. He knows that if they do, they will perish
from the Land. Prophetic words for them
and us.
When Pilate asks if Jesus is king His response is, "You
have said it." He means that Pilate
has spoken truly, it makes no difference what Jesus says. How ludicrous is it that Jesus stands before
this man who seemingly has the power of life and death over Him as the king of
the Jews. Pilate doesn't know what to
make of the situation but comes up with what he believes is a solution, a
choice between Jesus and the insurrectionist Barabbas. Surely they will come to their senses and see
who the real danger is to their own existence.
Insurrection could mean the loss of freedom of worship and other
freedoms granted by Rome. If Barabbas
continues to foment rebellion Rome will crack down and they know it. What Pilate doesn't know is that God is in
charge and this will end only in Jesus' crucifixion. Their hearts are far from Him.
Paul's plan is to go to Jerusalem and then come to Rome
later after he has finished his errand of delivering the offerings the Gentile
churches of Macedonia and Achaia have collected to provide for those in need in
Jerusalem. He believes that when he
comes to Rome, "I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ." He indeed goes to Rome after Jerusalem but it
will take a while to get there and once there he will be a prisoner but does
that mean he did not come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ? He was able to preach and teach while resident
among them, he didn't allow his situation to be a hindrance to the work he was
given to do. Where are we allowing it in
our lives? We have been given at least
ten talents in the church in America today, we need to put them to use.
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