Sunday, May 6, 2012

SIH’s Think On These Things: Heb 11:30

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Heb 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

The story of the defeat of the city of Jericho is told to us in Joshua 6:1-20.  Jericho, a walled city in the Promised Land, seemed to be an unbeatable obstacle that was set before Joshua and the Israelites in their quest to inhabit the Promised Land.

After giving Joshua a clear promise of ultimate victory, the Lord instructs Joshua on what actions needed to be taken to gain the victory over Jericho. These instructions included:

  1. Day 1 to 6 - Joshua was to lead the army of Israel to silently march around the city once a day for six days.  Seven priests would accompany the army carrying 7 trumpets.
  2. Day 7 – Joshua was to lead them to march around the city 7 times. At the completion of the 7th circuit, they were to blow the horns and shout loudly.
Can you imagine what took place on each of the first six days? Probably the first day or two was a time of confusion for the people of Jericho, as they asked themselves, “What are these guys doing?”  After a few days of not being threatened, my guess is that the people of Jericho’s confusion turned to laughter as the poor Israelites, day after day, would silently march around their city. 

Then, to make matters worse, on day 7, instead of marching around the city once, they began making a second circuit.  Can you imagine the people of Jericho?  They were probably saying… “Look at those guys, marching around our city once did nothing, so they think a second time will make a difference!”  How bad the mocking must have gotten by the time the Israelites began their 7th trip around the city.   Little did Jericho know that what they have been witnessing was the Israelite’s faith in Jehovah’s word being put into action.  Finally after the seventh circuit, the horns were blown, the people gave a shout and the walls of Jericho fell.  It was only then that the people of Jericho’s laughter turned to cries of mercy and regret.

Have you ever been mocked for simply obeying your Lord?  Have you ever been not taken seriously, mistreated, or even shunned for your stand for Christ?  If so, you are not alone.  There are MANY examples of men and women of God who endured the rejection of this world for the sake of obeying their Lord.  Keep on keeping on!

As Paul said in 2Co 4:17-18 … “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

May the Lord bless each one of us as we “Think On These Things”.




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