Defeat. Stealing from God. Deception. Outrage. "Valley of Trouble." It is all part of the raw honesty of the Bible. This is a real story about real people and the way God shepherds and redeems us. And sometimes it gets ugly. But even then there is redemption.
Defeat is often the pathway to dependence.
Read it here.
Defeat is often the pathway to dependence.
Read it here.
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ReplyDeleteDependence? Did you forget you're an American? We like independence Pastor Jeff. Dependence is a tough sell and no one's buying.
ReplyDeleteUnless, of course, the Spirit breaks them and humbles them before God and places within them that which calls out to God in earnest. No one seeks to be a slave to anything and yet all are mastered by something. The Spirit grants us the courage and the humility to be slaves to Jesus and Him alone, forsaking the American dream, independence, and all the assorted spoils associated thereof in order to obtain a greater inheritance. One not earned by us, but given by God.
There have been other times when God was swift and public in his judgment of His people, striking down the sinner in front of others. (Acts 5) This served as an example to everyone and helped them remember to fear God. On the surface, the stoning seems harsh, especially for his family. However, 36 died in battle and this might have been prevented. In addition, his family may have been culpable in hiding his sin. It seems the call to not keep the plunder in this case was a unique command, possibly that God wanted Israel to give back all the plunder to Him from the first victory in the promised land as sort of a first fruits. Praise God our sin is covered!
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