Joshua

In continuing through Joshua, I have found some new things about the interaction of God with His people. In the Wandering, the people turned away from God and God waited until all of them were dead (with the exception of Caleb and Joshua) before the Israelites could proceed into the Promised Land. Then, He initiated their movement across the Jordan, miraculously as by the Red Sea, by turning it into dry land; then having the Israelites circumcised (they were not circumcised during the wandering around); then having them celebrate the Passover (also not practice during the 40 years - wouldn't have made sense since the people were being punished for their sins. This is so relevant today. If we turn away from following God with our whole hearts, there is discipline for that sin. God eliminates an opportunity for us.

He first shows Himself miraculous and delivers - God miraculously led out and delivered the Israelites from Egypt. If we do not remember that (and much of what God has set out for us in way of ceremony and teaching is for us to remember what He has done) but instead grumble and complain and turn away from His path, we experience His displeasure with us and His turning against us. After we are saved, we must continue on in the Lord.

Going back to the lessons of the Israelites . . . God is the same today. Paul tells us to consider the sternness and kindness of God. He is stern to those who fell, He is kind to us who remain in His kindness. We stand and remain by faith. It is imperative that we walk in all of the ways of the Lord. Scripture is left to remind us and teach us. These lessons are for a reason. They are so we would not fall by the same disobedience.

The amazing thing about God is that when He is for us, He is for us, and the effect is noticeable. God leveled the enemies of the Israelies, and He will destroy our foes as well. It is an experiencing of His favor, or His displeasure. Our choice determines what we will experience.