Theological Commentary: Click Here
Discipleship Focus: Obedience
- Obedience: Genuine and satisfying obedience comes out of our identity. Our true identity comes only from Father.
After the failure of Joshua 7, we turn to the success of Joshua
8. Take a look at the main differences
found in this passage versus the prior chapter.
The whole orientation of Joshua – and subsequently the people – has changed.
In chapter 8, God tells Joshua what to do. The plan comes from God. His identity comes from God. His authority comes from God. Everything that is necessary for success in this
world comes from God.
What is of note is how Joshua responds. After the failure of the prior chapter,
Joshua comes forth in this chapter in success.
He listens. He is obedient. God triumphs through Joshua because Joshua’s
attitude is focused back upon God. When
our identity comes from the Lord, it is far easier to be obedient to the Lord
and succeed in the Lord.
Also note how the obedience of the leaders can manifest itself in
the community. An obedient leader will
have an easier time helping a community be obedient as well. A community that does not have an obedient
leader will struggle with their own obedience as a community on the whole. Here in this chapter we see a community
return to obedience and have great success out of it.
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