S) "15 Just as the Lord had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses."
Joshua 11:15 (NASB)
O) There are a couple of interesting elements at work in this verse. Joshua and his armies were going through northern Palestine, here. They faced another coalition of kings, and the LORD delivered them all into the hands of the Israelites, because He is forever faithful. God was accomplishing, with Joshua, all of the things He commanded him to do. What is interesting about the verse above, though, is that it points out the commands Joshua had, at least in their initiation, were actually from Moses. God certainly spoke to Joshua too, giving him clarifying directions (as with ambushes, encouragements, etc.), but the original commands to come into the Promised Land and conquer it, these were given to Moses and translated to Joshua, and that is an important distinction. The other thing I noticed about this verse, was the phrase, "he left nothing undone," because it's almost a double-negative type of statement. It reminds me of 2 Corinthians 2:11, which tells us that we are "not ignorant," or some translations say, "not unaware." There is significance in using this type of language, because it actually addresses something a little differently. For example, if the passage simply said, "he did everything..." it's taken almost matter-of-factly. It almost dismisses Joshua's decisive role in obedience. But, by saying, "he left nothing undone..." it emphasizes the possibility of incomplete tasks. It highlights the progressive nature of his obedience, that he was accomplishing the will of God incrementally, and he did not stop until nothing was left undone.
A) With the first point, it's important for me to remember that the Bible was written to a different generation, but it is no less meant for me. The holy scriptures are translateable commands to me, just as the command to Joshua was translated through Moses. The Great Commission from the end of the gospels, commands to holiness, righteousness, good works... all of this is meant for me as well, as a follower of Jesus. If I am a disciple of Christ, then I will follow the examples of the first Christians, the first disciples, as they also followed Christ directly. Along with the written scriptures, the indwelling Holy Spirit leads me in direct discipleship to Christ as well. None of this is particularly new to me, per se. The second point gleened from Joshua's example is a little more fresh to me, though. It challenges my natural struggle with laziness, to examine my life in terms of tasks undone. When I am doing one thing for God, even well, I can have a tendency to feel like it compensates for another area of actual neglect. In very real terms, right now I am volunteering at the church with the Son Life group (4th and 5th grade kids). I have let my participation in that create a false-sense of "doing for God" while I have neglected my work towards counseling certification. At times I have been a good husband, resting in that status, while neglecting to become a godly husband. It can seem exhausting or overwhelming to consider that there are so many tasks undone, until I remember how much joy and satisfaction comes from fully pursuing God's will. Furthermore, I can never forget how faithful God is, to sustain and strengthen me when I am fully chasing after His will. I need to start seriously considering (and pursuing to do) what tasks I have been leaving undone.
P) Father, You are so faithful and good to Your servant. It is humbling to consider the grace at work in ability to do Your will, and in the effects You have put in place within me when I am accomplishing Your will! You didn't have to make it satisfying or joyful, but You did! You didn't have to strengthen me, but You do! Forgive me for my neglect, Lord. I repent for leaving things undone, for ignoring some of the things You have called me to do. Help me manage my time, create new habits, and do whatever else it takes to do Your will. I don't want to stop until there is nothing left undone. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment