Maybe it's because of other things that are going on in my life right now but as I read this chapter this week, I kept thinking of connections. God provided a connection for this generation of Israelites through the circumcision. This generation hadn't been circumcised as the previous generation had been. This one was born after they left Egypt during the forty years of wandering. Through circumcision, they were set apart and marked as God's people. They were also connected to the previous generation. In my mind, they are reminded of their “set apart-ness” but also of the previous generation and their mistakes.
That's just beautiful to me. God provided a sense of connection, a bond to a people who probably felt very unconnected in their new land. They were set apart but they weren't alone.
The other connection point that I saw was at the end of the chapter when Joshua was told by the commander of the Lord's army to “take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy”. Hello, Exodus 3:5! This is a bit of an assumption on my part, but I'm guessing that Joshua had heard the story of Moses and the burning bush and the words that God spoke to him. Surely the hairs on the back of Joshua's neck stood up when those words were spoken to him! God's people were set apart and generationally connected.
This kind of set apart (and, honestly, this kind of connection) is really only fully understood through an opening of the heart that only God can provide. Realizing that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself and that there is a responsibility, indeed a commitment, is not something that I can do or even desire to do outside of God's grace and strength.
Being set apart isn't like wearing a sticker that says, “Hello, My Name is Christian”. It is the very essence of a person—it's something they have no control over. Because if I have any control over it, then I can rip off that sticker. Being set apart and having the kind of connections that believers are called to throughout Scripture is hard—and it's messy. I have to be honest about my sin and my struggles with others. I have to be forgiving when I don't want to be. I have to be understanding when it goes against everything in me. I have to not unleash my tongue when they really, really deserved it! I have to apologize again..and again.
Being set apart does look different. It shouldn't look like a cheap imitation of anything this world has to offer. It isn't something that can be conjured up on a whim.
It is something so deep, so permanent, and so unnatural that it had to be done by someone perfect.
7 comments:
Dana - Lobe Love your post and your take (CONNECTIONS) on this chapter of Joshua. I completely missed this even though you are right - it is laced through the chapter. Found myself nodding and saying yea as I read along! LOVE LOVED - "Realizing that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself and that there is a responsibility, indeed a commitment, is not something that I can do or even desire to do outside of God's grace and strength." Thank you for putting an new perspective on this for me. I am looking forward to going back and re-reading this chapter through the filter of connectedness.
Excellent Dana! Loved "It shouldn't look like a cheap imitation of anything this world has to offer"
Its amazing to me that I have to watch for that trap even now, as a believer of 20 years! Being set apart is often a quiet whisper, not an earthquake or a storm!
And I enjoyed your thoughts on connections, that IS beautiful!
"It is something so deep, so permanent, and so unnatural that it had to be done by someone perfect."
Your blog is such a lovely, sensory experience for me, Dana. I could feel the prickles on Joshua's neck. Could smell the sandy earth where he took off his sandals. Love the idea of connection that you found here. Absolutely! When we're confused or worried or otherwise listening to the enemy's whispers, we're not connecting with our God, who deserves our full attention. And when He has it--we're at peace and able to follow.
Great post.
Really enjoyed reading your blog...Makes so much sense.. and I could really see the story coming alive while reading about it through your comments...
Cyndi Anne (Orange Group)
Realizing that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself and that there is a responsibility, indeed a commitment, is not something that I can do or even desire to do outside of God's grace and strength.
fantastic. beautiful, beautiful perspective, girlie. loved every word.
This kind of set apart (and, honestly, this kind of connection) is really only fully understood through an opening of the heart that only God can provide.
Wow Girlie!! You've done it again! You've given me so much to take away and chew on.
xoxoxoxo
Oh my goodness. I love what you saw in this chapter. The whole connections theme? That's beautiful and I totally see it. And then when you connect us to Joshua and the Israelites? You were that kid in English that got all the symbolism in The Great Gatsby, weren't you? Thanks for your sharing your insights. It really provided insight that I totally missed.
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