Things Devoted to God

Things Devoted to God

Words of Faith 9-1-2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Joshua 6

[17] The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. [18] But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. [19] All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury."

    [20] When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. [21] They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it--men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

         When the trumpets finally sounded, the people shouted, and Jericho's walls collapsed-- literally fell in their place.  The great fortress that had frightened spies and discouraged the people 40 years earlier became a pile of rubble at the hand of the Lord in a matter of just moments. 

         This was no less a miracle than the parting of the waters to allow passage through the sea and the river. Everything in Jericho was devoted to God because this was His victory.

        When we hear the word "devoted," we tend to think of a strong commitment to family or faith.  Here the Hebrew word means to give over completely to the Lord even through destruction.  In the case of this city, conquering it meant utter destruction of the people and animals and delivery of all valuables to the treasury of the Lord. There was to be no plundering by the Israelites. No personal profit was to come from the destruction wrought by the Lord upon Jericho.

        Many have pondered why such utter destruction was necessary.  We must remember that this was not a strategic decision by Joshua. It was the command of the Lord.  His judgments are unsearchable and His paths beyond tracing out (Romans 11:33).

        We do not fully know the sort of rebellion against God that existed within Jericho's culture and walls.  Archeology has never revealed the Canaanite culture to be innocent.  It was a civilization filled with idolatry, licentiousness, and child sacrifice. The bigger question may be why it is that the Lord withholds destruction today from similar cultures like our own.

        A critical issue in this era of conquest will relate to the things "devoted." The contents of Jericho were to be given to the Lord as the firstfruits of the land.  There would be a great temptation to take the "spoils of war," which actually belonged to God. God was clear. "Keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise, you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it." Taking things that belong to God was a sure way to bring destruction into the camp.

       This is a good question for us to consider.  The Lord wins many victories in our lives. His blessing and provision are magnificent. He brings down the walls which bar us from the Promise.  Are there things that belong to Him that we are tempted to take as our own?

       There are probably several of God's things that we could take as our own, but one of the simplest is "glory."  We can find ourselves taking credit for our lives' blessing or successes as if we were responsible.

       This is "glory," not in the sense of the glorious presence (shekinah) of God, but in the sense of responsibility, credit, wonder, and awe attributed to God. Whenever we claim responsibility for the victories and blessings of God, we take something "devoted." When we choose to live a life that does not worship and honor the Lord, we take this glory as our own.

     Question. How is the devotion in your life?  As God works in your life, are you attributing to Him the success and victory you enjoy?  Are you pausing for worship and adoration so that all will know where your hope comes from?

     Father God, You are the victor.  You are the giver of everything good.  I praise and magnify Your Holy Name.  Show me this day how I can keep my focus on You, recognize Your hand in every victory, and give you all glory.  In Jesus’ Name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2005, 2020

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

2820 Business Center Blvd.

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.