"When Love Judges: God's Justice in Joshua"
Source: Podcast Episode: "When Love Judges: Why God Destroyed the Kingdoms in Joshua 9–10" from People Who Choose (PWC), hosted by Steve Shannon.
Overview: This podcast episode addresses the challenging biblical narrative of God's command for Israel to destroy various kingdoms in the book of Joshua, specifically chapters 9 and 10. Host Steve Shannon aims to provide a deeper understanding of God's justice and mercy in these events, arguing that God's actions, while seemingly harsh, were rooted in love, protection of His redemptive plan, and preceded by centuries of patience. The episode also draws modern-day applications for listeners regarding integrity, seeking God, and God's intervention.
Main Themes & Most Important Ideas/Facts:
1. The Historical Context of Joshua 9-10:
- The Gibeonite Deception & Joshua's Integrity: The Gibeonites tricked Joshua and the Israelite leaders into making a peace treaty by pretending to be from a distant land. Despite the deception, Joshua "honors the covenant. He keeps his word—even though he was tricked," demonstrating that "integrity matters to God."
- The Amorite Attack & God's Intervention: Five Amorite kings attacked Gibeon after the treaty, and Israel defended them. God intervened powerfully, sending "hailstones from heaven" and making "the sun stand still," leading to a complete Israelite victory.
2. Understanding God's Actions: "When Love Judges": The podcast argues that God's destruction of these kingdoms, though difficult for many readers, can be understood through three key truths:
- God's Centuries of Patience (Genesis 15:16): God waited over 400 years for these nations to repent, as indicated by His statement to Abraham: “The sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” During this time, they "dove deeper into evil: child sacrifice, sorcery, and idol worship." This was not a "snap judgment," but rather God's justice following prolonged patience.
- Protection of God's Redemptive Plan: The destruction was necessary to "protecting His Redemptive Plan." God was building the nation of Israel, through whom "Jesus, the Messiah, would come." Leaving "corrupt cultures in place would have poisoned Israel spiritually," jeopardizing the "salvation story that God was writing for the whole world." Thus, it was "judgment. But it was also protection. God’s love was making a way for grace."
- God Still Showed Mercy (Ezekiel 33:11): Even within the judgment, examples of mercy are highlighted:
- Rahab: "a Canaanite woman, is saved because of her faith."
- The Gibeonites: "though deceptive, are spared because they sought peace."
- God "declares in Ezekiel 33:11, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that they turn from their ways and live.'" This indicates that "God doesn’t delight in judgment. He delights in mercy. But when mercy is repeatedly rejected… judgment eventually comes."
3. Modern-Day Applications ("What Does This Mean for Us?"): The historical events in Joshua serve as a "mirror" and "spiritual wake-up call" for contemporary believers:
- Mercy and Judgment are Both Real: While we "Live in a Time of Mercy," God's "judgment Is Still Real." Listeners are reminded of Romans 11:22 to "Consider both the kindness and the severity of God." God is "kind, yes. But He is also holy."
- Integrity Still Matters: Joshua's commitment to his word, even when tricked, emphasizes that "Integrity Still Matters to God." This is a "rare—and deeply pleasing to God" quality.
- We Are the Gibeonites: The analogy is drawn that just as the Gibeonites came to God (through Joshua) "out of fear" or "desperation" and were received, "when we humbly seek Him—He receives us. That’s grace."
- God Fights for the Righteous: Joshua's defense of the weak Gibeonites, leading to "supernatural help" from God, illustrates that "God Fights for Those Who Do What’s Right."
Key Takeaways:
- "God's love is patient—but His justice is real."
- "He judges not to destroy—but to protect and redeem."
- "He values integrity, even when it’s inconvenient."
- "He receives flawed people who seek peace."
- "And He fights for those who walk in obedience."
Listener Challenge: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on:
- Where they might be "ignoring God’s warnings."
- Who needs to "see the integrity of Christ" in their decisions.
- Where they need to "ask God to fight on [their] behalf."