By David Ettinger
Just Maybe …
Just thinking aloud here, and certainly don’t wish to harp on this (as I’ve done in a number of posts).
Of course context is everything in the Bible. For instance, when God addresses ancient Israel, what He says to them, first and foremost, is intended for them at that moment. This, however, does not mean that what God is saying does not have a wider reach.
The reason for this is that whenever God speaks, we learn something about His heart, character, or nature. Even in a curious chapter such as Leviticus 14 we learn something of God’s sense of purity and of His care for the minutia of life.
With this in mind, let’s look at a passage from Joshua 24, where Joshua is addressing the people of Israel. In telling them that worshiping and obeying God is no small matter but something which must be diligently done, He issues this warning in verses 19 and 20:
You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.
I believe this passage speaks for itself. Now, please read it once or twice more and ask yourself a question: “Though God addressed this to ancient Israel, maybe, just maybe, can this also apply to the United States, to whom He has bestowed so many blessings? Can this be the reason why our nation is imploding?
I leave the rest to your considerations.
Lisa Beth
June 3, 2020
Although I am careful not to ascribe covenant claims solely intended for Israel upon other countries, I do see the relevance here.
Without lengthy enumeration, NYC, for example, often leads the way in sin celebration, shaking a fist toward God. What can we say now? “Unless it is the Lord that guards the city, the watchman watch in vain.”
Press on brother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
June 3, 2020
Amen. Well said, Lisa Beth.
LikeLike
Jerry Bousard
June 3, 2020
David – I believe there are echoes of the Spirit of Truth that speaks throughout Scripture to all of us! Principals for guiding us in truth. Throughout the OT we see God time and time again giving Israel over to their own decisions to suffer the consequences, and equally forgiving them and taking them back, healing the land, when they were of a repentant heart. Romans 1 in the NT is another clear example of God giving man up to his own selfish desires and intents. He will back up and allow our sin to recompense itself upon our heads if we turn away from Him. May we all seek to stay in a place of repentance that we might walk in His Light throughout Scripture, and may we stay in place of intercession on behalf of this country and world, for His Glory!
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
June 3, 2020
A hearty amen to that, Jerry!
LikeLike
vicklea
June 3, 2020
Thought-provoking. Many times I think that God has not yet destroyed us totally because of the prayers of the Christians. I’m just not sure we can hold back His wrath after so many blessings and our deliberately turning away from Him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
dettinger47
June 3, 2020
I’ve thought the same things as you, Vickie — on both counts. Well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
mrsmariposa2014
June 3, 2020
I can most definitely see the application. Thanks for drawing that out for us, David! I never consider it harping when someone is pointing to such a vital truth! May we indeed seek His face and come to a place of repentance while we still may.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
June 3, 2020
Amen. Thank you, Marisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
June 4, 2020
This morning I was feeling a little sad. My younger sister died last week, and the world just seems so unstable.
I had been listening to Psalms everyday on the way to work, but it was in the sad ones, like 38 or something.
So I said, “Hmm, let me switch over to Isaiah.
And THAT made me think of this: “*All* scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
June 4, 2020
Amen and well said. Condolences on the passing of your sister. My the Lord bring you peace and comfort.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angel at Watchyourlifeinpictures
June 4, 2020
Thank you David. I’m at peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
dettinger47
June 4, 2020
Very glad to hear it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
heavensreef
June 10, 2020
Amen…….we have turned away from GOD!
LikeLiked by 1 person