missio

In Joshua 6, we see in verse 20 that God brings to pass just as He instructed Joshua in verse 5. But here’s the thing: the people’s work wasn’t done once the walls came down…it had just begun. They had much work to do: destroying idols, dedicating the city to God, killing the livestock, and securing the city. 

Here’s the thing: often times, we expect that once the walls come down in our city, then everything else will be smooth sailing. People will just skip to Jesus through fields of dandelions with an orchid in their hair. But the reality is this: even after the barriers come down, there are still idols to be destroyed and strongholds to be taken. At Harmony, we work hard to bring down the cultural barriers between people and the Church. But even after they “like” us (Acts 2:47), there is still the business of calling out ther sin, destroying their idols, and leading them to Christ, who ultimately captures their heart. 

So let us not be ignorant and naive and think that once the barriers come down, that our job has finished. But let us be as wise as serpents and realize that the work has really just begun. 

Here in our series of posts on Joshua and Jericho, we are increasingly getting our toes stepped on. This week will be no exception. Check verse 18 out from Joshua 6: 

But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.

God, through Joshua, instructs the Israelites to destroy everything within the city as a sign of their devotion to Him, the Giver, instead of the city, the Gift. This is the fundamental defintion of avoiding idolatry: holding Giver above Gifts. But lest we think that we’re safe, God throws this verse into the Scriptures. If we follow Him, and have our devotion towards Him, we are loved and are the recipients of all of God’s promises. But the minute we turn to idols, whether ourselves or something else in creation, we also throw ourselves into the wrath of God. In taking one of the things devoted to destruction, the Israelites would make themselves a thing devoted to destruction as well.

I’m in charge of leading our city in repentance this Friday. While 3 minutes is a very short time to repent of all the particular sins we are guilty of(it’s the time all of the prayers are given), one categorical sin sums them all up: idolatry. You and I, and our city, are all guilty of idolatry. No matter how we cut it. If we are steeped in religion, we have made the events/processes/organizations our idol. If we are rebellious towards God, we have made ourselves  our idol. Our city is consistently guilty of lifting the gifts of money, sex, alcohol, and work above the Giver. So this verse in Joshua 6 raises one particular question:

What should you be devoting to destruction instead of keeping to yourself, for yourself? Put simply…what do you hold above Christ? Even simpler: what is your idol?