A lesson about salvation from Joshua.

Joshua was a great leader. Throughout the account of his life, it’s exciting to see his courage and commitment to God’s plan. Not often in Scripture, do we read about a person who follows God’s orders so well. Perhaps, Joshua just had a healthy fear of the Lord?

It would make sense considering his witness to the power of God, which is clear through his military campaigns. Joshua was definitely experiencing God’s mighty hand, as the nation of Israel marched across the countryside, taking back what was rightfully their homeland. (Which would make a great movie by the way!)

Check out Joshua 11, focusing on verses 16-23.

“So Joshua took this entire land: the hill country, all the Negev, the whole region of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah and the mountains of Israel with their foothills, from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death. Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time.” (Josh. 11:16-18)

“Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (11:19-20)

“At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.” (11:21-22)

“So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions.  Then the land had rest from war.” (11:23)

This text can be hard to read.

It can be difficult to read, “For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy,…” You might not like this description of God.

Clearly, from this text, God chose to unleash judgment and wrath on these people, instead of grace and mercy. But don’t scroll to the next post just yet! This is a good reminder of God’s full character. It’s a good reminder that Joshua is just one of 66 books making up the Bible, unveiling a way bigger story!

There’s actually a tonne of grace and mercy within this story! As we read over these verses and the account of Joshua as a whole, consider God’s feelings toward His people, Israel. His grace and mercy abound so much for them!

So much so, that He would be willing to wage war against every nation who had moved into their homeland. Even though they had repeatedly entered into disobedience of His commands and the worship of false gods, they were forgiven time and time again. Now it was time to go home to their Promised Land!

But the story doesn’t end there.

Much like the nation of Israel, we have disobeyed God and worshiped false gods; our modern idols work, media, and self. Thankfully, as Paul reminds us in his letter to the Roman church, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

If you’re a Believer in Christ, you have experienced God’s grace and mercy, poured out through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. Although you don’t deserve it, you have been forgiven and accepted into God’s family. You have experienced a merciful Father.

Through an amazing plan of salvation, considering the Jew first, then the Gentile (non-Jewish people), our Lord has forgiven us and made us a part of His chosen people. One day He will also take us home, to a land far better than “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:8), in heaven.

Although we deserve God’s judgment and wrath, we are given grace and mercy! How amazing is that?

Are you still unsure?

Maybe you landed on this post and you’re wondering why you’re still reading it? I don’t believe it’s a mistake. God is in control, He has a plan for your life, and the journey might be starting here.

He loved you so much that He made a way to remove all the wrong you’ve done. He has made a way to remove the barrier of sin between you and Himself so that you can become His child and He, your heavenly Father. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus to die on the cross, as the sacrifice and punishment for our sin.

Your sin is paid for, and the gift of eternal life, being part of God’s family is available to you today. Is you would like to take this step of faith and chose Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, here is a simple prayer to guide your heart and mind toward that end.

“Dear God,

I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness.
I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died
for my sin and that you raised Him to life.
I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord,
from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will.

I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.” (LP.BillyGraham.org/Find-Peace-With-God)

If you said this prayer…

I’d love to hear from you, pray with you, and possibly help you on your faith journey. Drop me a text or give me a call at (867) 335-7524 or use the contact form below.