Reading and pondering on the children of Israel as they had entered the promise land and coming to the close of the life of their leadership in Joshua and the elders, one can draw up a number of applications for us today.
My focus began with Joshua chapter 24 and with Judges chapter 2.
In Joshua 23, Joshua gives his farewell address to Israel and reminds them not to cling to or join together with those that remain of the inhabitants of the land the Lord has given them, because they will be snares and traps unto them, and scourges to their sides and thorns in their eyes until the children of Israel perish (Jos. 23:11-13).
In Joshua 24:14-16, Joshua tells them to fear the Lord and serve Him only, entirely and completely in truth. In the NT our Savior, Jesus, tells of a time when the true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24), which time is now. Though like days of old (2 Chr. 36:15-16), His people(?) have cast His truth behind their back in disregard, to worship Him as they please and not according to His truth clearly displayed for us in Scripture. Oh, they may have a zeal for God, for religion, but not according to knowledge (Rom. 10:2). As it was once said, "He that is not zealous against error, is not likely to be zealous for truth."
Joshua precedes to tell them to put away their 'other gods'. In fact, he tells them to choose that very day whether they would serve God completely and solely and cast away all 'other gods' or not. To cast them behind their back, if you will. "Remember Lot's wife." (Lk. 17:32) Remember also, that, "no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Lk. 9:62) Their reply was 'God forbid that we should forsake the Lord and serve 'other gods'. Why is this important?
Because God had told them at Sinai that they shall have no other gods before Him. That they should not worship or serve them. For God is jealous and called them to love Him and Him alone, lest He punish them for chasing after 'other gods' (Ex. 20:3-6).
He told them not to walk after the manners and customs of those people in the land they were to destroy utterly (Ex. 23:23-25; Lev. 20:23-26).
God had told them that they were special to Him above all the people of the earth. Therefore, they are to keep themselves separate from all the ways, doings, customs and manners of the other nations. God said that if they would not love Him and do His commandments, that He would repay such as hate Him to their face to destroy them (Dt. 7:2-11). Notice - if you obey Him, you love Him. If you obey Him not, then you hate Him. Obedience is important! (Eph. 2:2; 5:6; Col. 3:6; 2 Th. 1:8; Heb. 5:9; 1 Pet. 4:17)
So, we get an idea of what it meant for Israel that day to choose whether they would worship and serve the One true God or 'other gods'. How did they fare?
In Judges chapter 2 we see that the children of Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua (v 7) and until that generation died (v 10). Though the next generation did not know the Lord or the works He had done (v 10). Why? Obviously, because the parents didn't teach the commandments of the Lord to their children as they were commanded (Dt. 6:7-9). So it is vital that the parents and leaders of God's children instruct them in the whole counsel of God (Prov. 22:6; Acts 20:20-21, 26-27). Again, I ask why? Look at Judges chapter 2 starting in verse 11 to see what became of the next generation which knew not God.
They went after the 'other gods' to 'serve' them, and to 'follow' them, forsaking the Lord Who called them and chose them to be His special people, separated and unique from all the people of the earth. Doing evil in the sight of the Lord provoking Him to anger against them.
Therefore, God's anger was hot against them and He delivered them into the 'hands of the spoilers'. The hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as He had said and sworn to them (v 15).
Throughout the remainder of the chapter we see the cycle, the pattern of His people and His nature towards them:
1) They would forsake the Lord and serve other gods;
2) They would be punished for their iniquity, often by other nations;
3) God would hear their cries and have compassion on them and send a delivered;
4) They would serve God until the delivered died, but
5) They would return to serving other gods.
Are we any different today? Do we learn from theses examples that are before us (1 Cor. 10:6; Heb. 4:11; 2 Pet. 2:6)? Let's look again at an example:
Ps. 106:34-40
34 They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:
35 But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.
36 And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils,
38 And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
39 Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.
40 Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
They didn't follow after the Lord's commands, which if we love Him, we will keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15; 23) and if we don't keep His commandments, it proves that we do not love Him, or should I say hate Him (Jn. 14:24; Mt. 6:24; and as per some other passages referenced earlier).
Plus, they mingled with the other nations, or as the NT would refer to it as 'the world'. They learned and served the ways, manners, customs, idols, gods and demons of the world rather than worship and serve God entirely, with their whole heart, their entire being.
We are called the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Pet. 2:20-22) as foretold by the OT prophets (Lev. 2612; Jer. 24:7; 31:33; 32:38; Ez. 36:28).
In 2 Corinthians chapter 6, verses 16 and following, God again shows that we are not to mix or mingle with those of the world in worshipping and serving Him, as He asks:
1) "What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?" None! This should seem clear enough to most so I won't expound. The Scriptures show us the contrasts - Ps. 1:6; Prov. 15:9; Is. 3:10-11; Mal. 3:18; Rom. 2:2-11).
2) Again, He asks, "what association has light with darkness?" (v 14) If we are Christ's, we have been delivered from the authority of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). Or as Ephesians 5:8 tells us, "For we were sometimes in darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." So many passages on the difference between those in darkness and those in light (Eph. 4:17-24; 2:1-7; etc.). In 1 John we learn that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." (v 5). Yet He continues by saying "that if we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth." (v 6). Are you full of darkness or light? (Mt. 6:22-23) Do you hate the darkness and love the light? (Jn. 3:19-21) Do you prove all things and hold fast to what is good? Do you abstain, refrain, from all appearance of evil? (1 Th. 5:21-22)
3) Again, God asks, "what harmony, what unison does Christ have with Satan?" None! Though there are many deceivers today that would have you think differently, don't believe them! Satan masquerades as an angel of light and his demons as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13-15), which deceive many (2 Tim. 3:13; Mk. 13:6, 22-23; 1 Jn. 4:1). We were warned of doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1) that would turn us from the truth of God's Word. Acts 13:10 is a good verse that shows contrast in pertaining to Elymas the sorcerer where Paul said unto him, "full of all deceit and mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, will thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord."
Jesus told the religious leaders of that day that "they are of their father the devil, and the lusts of their your father you will do" (Jn. 8:44). Sounds much like professing Christians today! They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16). Who come near Him with their mouths and honor Him with their lips, yet their hearts are set on their covetousness (Jer. 6:13; Ez. 20:39; 33:31; Mt. 15:7-9). Which have a form of godliness, but deny the power to walk in it (2 Tim. 3:5). Jesus said we cannot serve God and another because we will hate the one and love the other (Mt. 6:24). Again, sounds like Joshua, or Elijah, or others that have told God's people to choose this day whom they would serve.
4) God even asks, "what part has a believer with an unbeliever"? None! It should be obvious, yet in this day where people question if "truth" really exists, it's no surprise the "Christians"(?) have hopped in bed with others of all kinds of religious beliefs in the name of ecumenicalism committing spiritual adultery with them. Scripture calls us adulterers when we join together with the world/unbelievers. In fact, Scripture says that friendship with the world is hostility against God (Jam. 4:4). That we are God's enemy when we join with them. In contrast, Jesus calls those that do whatsoever He says, (that is, obeys Him), friends. (Jn. 15:14) So, you are either His friend or you are not!
Again, look back to Moses and Joshua. The Judges, and the Kings and the OT prophets. This was always a snare and trap to them. We are called not to love the things of this world, but to do the will of God (1 Jn. 2:15-17). That if we love the world, the love of the Father is not in us. Yet, we mingle with and conform to the world in many ways, sacrificing, not only our own lives, our family's lives, other "believers" lives, but even deceive the world that we are to be a light to, presenting them a different gospel.
There are numerous ways we sacrifice, like making sports and worldly education more important than fellowship, prayer and Bible study. We have all heard the excuses parents give, but in the end they have "chosen" who they and their family truly serves.
The "churches" have corrupted and polluted themselves and have played the harlot, having cast away and rejected their Head, Jesus, choosing rather the riches of the world than the reproach of Christ. They made man their head and joined themselves to false religions of all sorts (1 Sam. 8:5-8) through their ignorance in seeking to be like those around them by desiring the earthly benefits provided to them through 501(c)3 incorporation (what?), instead of the spiritual blessings and benefits given to us by God. No where does the Scriptures teach this! It wasn't practiced in the early "church". Be zealous and repent and return to the patterns shown to us in the holy Scriptures!
5) God asks them next, "what agreement has the temple of God with idols"? I have already shared verses in how we are the temple of God. Looking back at some of those passages we learn more, as in 1 Cor. 6:9-20. We are bought with a price (Christ's death on the cross, Acts 20:28), therefore we are to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, WHICH ARE GOD'S! 1 Cor. 10 is written for our example (v 11) that we beware not to fall (v 12) away from God in a similar manner. Idolatry is brought up several times in this chapter. I want you to focus on verses 15-22.
While Paul confirms that an idol is nothing in and of itself, yet behind every idol is a demon. He told them not to have fellowship with demons (through the idols). That we cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of demons. If we mingle our worship and service to God with the world, with those around us, that we provoke God to anger! Look back to the Scriptures I shared earlier. God said that if you obey Him you love Him. If you don't obey Him, that you hate Him.
He called us to be holy, separated people from those around us. That we are not to worship Him as others worship their gods. That if you do, He will visit you and repay you to your face! He will destroy you (1 Cor. 3:17; etc). Alas, many in the "church" teach, or have been taught, or simply practice that the grace of God is a license to do as we please and not according to what pleases Him! Therefore we have mingled our worship of God with that of those around us, as even the "celebration" of Christmas and Easter, which all know we're pagan festivals to honor their gods, which is nothing other than pagano-Christianism - a taking of something void of Christ and adding, joining and mixing Christian theology with it. A little leaven leavens the whole lump (Gal. 5:9; 1 Cor. 5:6)! His grace teaches us to deny ungodliness (a disrespect to God) and worldly lusts, that we should live with self-control, righteousness (right living according to God) and be godly (in respect and reverence of God), in this present world. If we call ourselves a Christian (1 Cor. 5:11), and continue in sin, we are called wicked (1 Cor. 5:13; Ps. 5:5; 145:20)! Yet, as God says in Psalm 50, it is true of many of us that call ourselves a Christian. Why? Because we have hated God's instruction and have cast His Word behind our back. Because our hearts are deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:21-23).
Ps. 50:16-17
16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
If we name the name of Christ, we are to depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19). Though we may profess to be Christians - faithfully attend services, minister to those within and without the "church", perform signs, wonders and miracles, yet are workers of iniquity, Jesus will say that He never knew us (Mt. 7:23; Lk. 13:27; etc)! Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Gal. 6:7-8). Examine yourself, whether you are in the faith (2 Cor. 13:5)! Ask God to examine your heart that it may be made clean (Ps. 139:23-24).
Is your worship of God in vain? Worthless? Is it in spirit and truth (Jn. 4:24) and pleasing to God, or after the traditions and commandments of men (Mt. 15:9)? After so-called philosophy (gnosticism, humanism, hedonism, etc), devoid of truth, after the customs of the world (Col. 2:8)? Every word of God is pure (Prov. 30:5), because He is pure (1 Jn. 3:3). We are not to add or take away from it (Prov. 30:6, Dt. 12:32, etc). God has called us to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, from all pollutions and from all corrupting influences, that we may perfect, complete, and finish His holiness (1 Th. 4:7; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; etc) - pressing toward the high calling of God (Php. 3:14-15) - being conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29; 1 Jn. 3:3), in the fear of God. (Ps. 19:9; Prov. 8:13; 16:6; 2 Cor. 7:1; etc)
As we have seen in Joshua's day, they served many idols, gods, and demons. Yet, they "chose" to serve God, but probably still kept their other gods and worshipped them along with the one true God as they often did (2 Kings 17:9; 18:4; Amos 5:25-26; etc). Will you this day choose to worship God alone with your entire being (Mt. 4:8-10; Mk. 12:30) as the children of Israel did all the days of Joshua? Or will you continue to do wickedly in the sight of the Lord to provoke Him to jealousy and anger, so that His hand will be against you as it was against the generation that followed Joshua? Count the cost (Lk. 14:28) and choose whom you will worship and serve (1 Kings 18:21). Will you serve the God Who has called you to purity, holiness, righteousness. To be spotless and blameless. Or some other god of your making, or someone else's making?
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