Tuesday, April 7, 2015

ISRAEL’S UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP


Joshua 23:15-16a But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, 

            Despite Israel’s triumphs, she had one nagging problem. Her enemies remained in the land God had given her. She has the land. That battle is over. The final task is to confront the remaining enemy, temptation.

            Israel saw the hand of God fulfilling his promises, but constantly placing a new task before his people. This time the task is not in military terms but rather in terms of obedience. The enemy within can only be routed by trusting in God and obeying Him alone.

            The foreign people living among them serve many gods. Israel served one God, Yahweh. Avoiding contact and social interchange with these people would ensure their devotion to the one, true God. Avoiding them meant they would also avoid the temptation to act and to believe as they did.

            Israel’s uniqueness is in this fact. God’s claim to absolute allegiance of his people proves the unique nature of Israel. This view of the world sets them apart from the other nations. The nations had multiple gods with one or two gods serving over the rest. Israel’s God, Yahweh, claimed to fulfill all the functions for which other nations needed a multitude of gods.

God does not force himself upon Israel. But when they ignore his claims, his covenant and his faithfulness, then they will find God’s punishment.  God refuses to drive out all the people Israel had conquered.

In leaving some to live among Israel, God gives Israel the opportunity to display her love and commitment to Him freely. God has already done his part to deserve and receive our love. 

Ministry Scenes

Have The Homeless Become Invisible?