Struggles of Israel

All of the events recorded in the Bible are true: God creating the world in six literal days, the world-wide flood, the miracles of Jesus and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Each one taught lessons to those involved. They also “happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that their descendants would be given the Promised Land forever. However, they would live peaceably there only if they kept God’s commandments. The book of Joshua details the account of God enabling the Israelites to take possession of the Land by driving out the current residents.

These people, collectively called Canaanites, engaged in many detestable practices. The removal of the Canaanites from the land was God’s judgement on them for centuries of sinning. But they also had to be removed so they would not turn the hearts of the Israelites away from God and cause God to punish His people.

God invites us to become part of His Kingdom by grace through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9). He also invites us to enjoy peace with Him by living according to His commandments (John 14:27). We experience His peace when we engage in the process of sanctification. Sanctification drives sin out of our lives – just as God drove the Canaanites out of the Promised Land.

God warned the Israelites to remove all the Canaanites. If they did not, the remaining Canaanites would lead the Israelites away from God. Causing Israel to commit the same sins that led God to remove the Canaanites. God told the Israelites that He would judge them just as He judged the Canaanites if they committed the same sins (Deuteronomy 8:20).

Christians are taught to remove all sin from our lives, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” (Romans 13:14). Sin cannot be contained or tolerated. We are warned that, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Galatians 5:9). Tolerating sin leads to greater disobedience and brings on God’s discipline.

When God disciplines us, it is a sign of His love for us, “Do not regard lightly the discipline of Yehovah, nor faint when you are reprimanded by Him for those whom Yehovah loves He disciplines” (Hebrews 12:5-6).

God places the Holy Spirit in us to enable us to overcome our sin nature and to “will and to work for God’s good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). This is why Paul encouraged believers to “walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Our hope is in the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to drive sin from our lives and enjoy peace in God’s Kingdom. Let us learn from the Israelites.