There are times I advise my sons on something they might not fully understand in the moment but it’s for their best good. My heart is to protect them and to see them prosper in every season of life.
The chapter starts out with us seeing Joshua advanced in years but much to be done the Lord has commanded. The Lord tells Israel to drive the people out of the land. These people are pagan and full of idolatry. History supports the understanding of the tragedies of child sacrifices, belittling of the poor and weak, cruel murders and injustices done abundantly by these nations with no repentance in sight. They have had time to repent and haven’t so the Lord commands Israel to get them out of the land so as not to be influenced by them in their young years as a people but what do we see?
“Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.” Joshua 13:13
The Lord’s commands are always for a reason even if we don’t understand at that moment. We will continue to see instead of defeating their enemies Israel adapts to some of their idolatry. They turn their back on the Lord and follow some horrible examples of those nations left in the land. Israel was young, impressionable, and inexperienced. The Lord knew this and in His infinite wisdom was putting into place things which would help them to prosper.
The same today for us! There are things in different seasons of our lives that can lead us astray from the Lord and His goodness. Jesus says, “I have come for you to have life and life more abundantly.” There can be things, relationships and desires that battle for our heart and affections towards the Lord. I remember a season in my life where I needed to pull away from some friends who while loving was leading me in the wrong direction. Now, I find myself stronger in the Lord and have opportunities to be an influencer instead of influenced. Let me encourage you there may be things battling against the heart of Lord for you. Maybe the Lord has been telling you something for your better good that you might not understand in the moment. Are you willing to obey even if you don’t fully understand? Let me guarantee His best is better than your best could ever be, and He only wants to see you prosper in Him.
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.