Bible in 90 Days Week 3

This week another question comes from the reading of the Bible in 90 Days. If you have questions about this, or anything else, and you want to see something about those posted on this blog, send them to me and I will address them. Your identity will remain anonymous.

 

The Israelites did not get everyone out of Canaan, right?  So in Judges, you read about how several of the Judges had to "take back" control.  In one instance they talk about how Anakites were defeated (I think it was the Annakites? . . . or some other kingdom that was originally destroyed by Joshua and the Israelites.)  So this is my question . . . Israel had all this land with the help of God through Joshua.  The fact that they turned away and started marrying into the families of some that were not destroyed and turned to their gods . .  . is that why God allowed these once "dead" kingdoms to subdue the Israelites?

 

The issue here is the obedience of the Israelites to God. Here is the important thing to keep in mind. God wants the Israelites to be separate from the cultures around them, not because he hates those other cultures, but for the sake of the other cultures. Israel is called by God, set apart in order for them to be witnesses to the cultures around them to who God is and what it is to live in relationship with him. Now, one cannot be a witness to something else when you are exactly the same as the people you are witnesses to.

So when the Israelites disobey God, the implications are much bigger than just Israel. From a big picture perspective their disobedience affects not just them, but the people around them. That is why God deals with this the way that he does. Because those people around the Israel are important to God too. It may seem harsh, but what we are talking about is significant.

What we see happening here is God using the other nations the give to Israel a bit of a reality check and to call them back into the way that they are supposed to be living their lives, to call them back into life according to the covenant made at Sinai. Now we can look at this and think that God is been tough on them. But consider this; the fact that God calls them back into that right relationship and does not give up on them, is a sign of his grace and mercy. And God's grace and mercy are certainly good things.

I pray that you would be able to see that grace and mercy in your life and that it would be a source of comfort and strength for you. Blessings.

 

Sincerely,

Pastor CJ