VICTORY
Suggested Reading: Joshua 8
(click scripture link to read online)
View looking west at Mt. Gerizim (on the left, south) and Mt. Ebal (on the right, north). In the center between them is the town of Shechem, known as Nablus. According to Deuteronomy 11:29 the recently arrived Israelites were to recite the blessings of the Covenant on Mount Gerizim and the curses from Mount Ebal (fulfilled in Joshua 8:33).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 8:30
Now Joshua built an altar to the Lord God of Israel in Mount Ebal…
In building an altar, Joshua is obeying the instructions given in Deuteronomy 11:29 and 27:4-8. The offerings presented on Mt Ebal, the mount of cursing, provided a message that the curse of sin, which came upon mankind as a result of sin, would be pictured as lifted, and peace would result. When Israel entered the Promised Land, the supernatural provision of manna ceased. It seems that God backed off. Now they had to eat the produce of the land which included corn, etc. They also took on the responsibility to make decisions for war and peace. Divine inspiration of Scripture means that in the original language, the record of events is correct. Early archaeologists disputed that accuracy, but later scholarship confirms that the Biblical account is right. Dr. Bryant Wood (PhD, University of Toronto), who has been a guest of mine on the 100 Huntley Street telecast, conducted excavations beginning in 1995 which meet all the requirements for Biblical Ai. As we read the history of Israel, we can be confident that we are learning what actually happened. Click here for a video clip of the last time Dr. Bryant was a guest on 100 Huntley Street in 1993.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, there is so much I don’t understand. I’m looking back 3500 years in today’s reading. But what I do understand is that I must visit daily my personal altar, and also my family altar. Please help me, by Your grace, to be faithful in this commitment. In the Name of the One who is always faithful, the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
If you have a response to the horrors of war such as I experience, you struggle with understanding God’s role in human history. In my lifetime I’ve seen genocide in Europe. I’ve visited the death camps where men, women and children perished. Rwanda in Africa and Cambodia in Asia experienced unspeakable man-made destruction of human life. I could go on and on with such events throughout the entirety of human history. Nevertheless, I am confident that God looks at history through the lens of eternity, and God, who will put the final period to the last human history book, will provide justice for every man, woman, and child whose human life was destroyed, but whose eternal soul is in God’s hands. This knowledge gives me peace.
Yours for a daily altar of blessing, and for the peace that passes understanding,
David
P.S. The composer of the song, “It is well with my soul,” suffered great personal loss. This song was his response (click here).
The horror of war is something that comes to every generation at some place on the planet. War is often political and religious in nature and is often so intricate in nature that it’s difficult to understand. Society will continue to struggle with war until it realizes that true peace can only be found in Jesus Christ who is the Prince of Peace. Unfortunately, I don’t think the world will fully realize and learn this truth until He comes again one day. I pray that many will come to know the Lord Jesus so that they too will know true peace in their hearts and in their lives. Amen.
I pray for that as well it was interesting to hear and see what Dr. Bryant Wood mentioned. The song was nice to hear I never new the history behind it before.
God Bless you
Lianne Hogg
Great post, today, David. Thank you. I loved reading about Joshua, following God’s instructions, and believing; leading his army to overcome the city of Ai; building an altar to honour God; and Reynold’s photo of Mt. Ebal that corresponds with it. It brings it all to life.
Thanks also for the link to “It Is Well With My Soul.” I never knew the story behind Horatio Spafford, who wrote it–absolutely amazing! It has always been one of my favourite hymns, and now, holds so much more meaning. Whatever our lot in life, and, whatever Satan throws at us to try to bring us down; our faith in the Lord will help us overcome, hold onto the love He has for us, and, look forward to the gift of everlasting life with Him. It is well with my soul!
Wishing everyone a most blessed day! Our God is so good!
Hi David, We learn so much by these accounts of the battles of the Children of Israel.It was not for the faint hearted, as Christianity isn’t for the faint hearted today. We see that there are the same expectations as children of God Spiritually. Our recognition of sin in our lives, our repentance and appeal for forgiveness and the wonderful restoration that our Father in Heaven gives us, resulting in our re-dedication to walk in his ways. We are truly blessed as we serve our God ,who is faithful to receive us back into right standing! Thank you Jesus! What a Saviour
It again occured to me today (as I am sure with others) what happens to all the innocent souls who have fallen in purposeful battle? I can only arrive at the same conclusion you have set out, that those eternal souls are in God’s hands. Sometimes, I feel as though I were a fish in an aquarium and can see little more than a distorted and limited view of the world that surrounds me. Yes, I have sound judgement (most of the time) faith and a free will, but God’s picture is far beyond being conclusive about anything, except faith in His divine providence. The actions of war are horrid, and should always remind us of the importance of peace. Unfortunately, peace comes with a price. We must, at times, fight for it. And, at the end, be able to proclaim “All is well, with my soul”.
I like the metaphor of being a fish in an aquarium, and seeing a limited view, that you use, David. God allows us to see what we are capable of dealing with, at the time.
In the midst of pain and suffering, each of us facing different issues, it is wonderful to know OUR LORD is watching over us and we can assuredly say IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL. I am five weeks out of surgery for mastectomy and my Savior has been with me every step of the way. HALLELUJAH!!
Thank you David for this blog each day that lifts each of us to a higher place in JESUS.
I continue to pray God’s healing in you body and for your wonderful family.
We serve an amazing GOD.
May God bless you, and heal you, and keep you well, Catherine, as you continue to recover from your surgery.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you as well Catherine. Thankyou David for your being faithful to God’s calling on your life!!!
When I listened to “It is Well with Soul” Heb13:5 and 6 came to mind which says ” I will never dessert you,nor will I ever forsake you so we confidently say, The Lord is my Helper, i will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
Thankyou
Catherine, my thoughts and prayers are with you as well.