They did not leave any who breathed.

As I have read through Joshua and talked about it with others (thanks Sam) the gruesome nature of this war came through. I'd like to digest a while on the impact of the war and hopefully as we read more of how the Israelites handled themselves will become evident. What did become clear in our reading today is who was responsible for all this war and death. In our attempts generally to defend God we want to point to people's choices and to their own sin. We feel like God is on the hot seat of the world's court and we need to get Him off. Scripture does not treat God like we do.

Joshua 11:20 For it was the Lord's doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

I preached last night from Hebrews 10:23-25 and emphasized the need to encourage each other more and more as the Day approaches. This Day is the Day of the Lord of which Joel had a great deal to say. Take a moment to read the book of Joel and hear Joel 2:30-32

30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Father, give us hearts that desire the quick coming of Your Kingdom. May seeing Christ be a priority in our lives. With that I pray that we will have a sense of urgency for souls. Wake Your church up God. God wake me up. With Your judgment there will be great sorrow but on that day there will be great rejoicing because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Give us faith and a strong work ethic to pursue those who will be saved. May we hunger to know those You will call out from among the survivors. May I and all Your church understand both judgment and salvation. Show us the glory of Christ in both.

Amen