Devotions From the Pen of Dr. W. A. Dillard by W.A. Dillard - HTML preview

Joshua Chapter Seven

The battle of Jericho was the very first for Israel upon entering the Promised Land. The story is intriguing -- how God caused the mighty walls to fall down flat before His people. Then it was hand to hand combat, and the otherwise most capable warriors of Jericho were no match for Israel because God was with them. In the course of the battle, Achan spotted a wedge of gold and a goodly Babylonian garment, perhaps in one of the shops of Jericho. He wanted it and he took it. But is that not what conquering armies have always done? What did he do that was so wrong?

Achan directly transgressed the command of God. He commanded that they were not to take anything of the city for spoil. Had God not so commanded, there would have been nothing particularly wrong with his actions. But God did command, and Achan directly disobeyed. Was there a reason God commanded this on this occasion? Yes, but that is another story. It is enough that God commanded, even if there were no apparent reasons.

Achan knew he had done wrong. He dug a hole within his tent and buried the booty there. But what he had hidden from man, he had utterly failed to hide from God. Great and innocent men in Israel died in the next battle because of Achan's sin. Then when inquiry was made and Achan admitted his wrong, both he and his family, and all their belongings were destroyed. Is this over reaction? Is this unduly harsh? Hardly! It is the judgment of God and exactly as it should have been.

Similarly, we must know from these and other Old Testament examples that we cannot disobey God and get by with it. Even if it seems there will be no consequence, there certainly will be, and it will be harsh. Achan lost his life. He caused others to lose their lives. And so it still is. If we disobey God, we may well wind up at the judgment seat of Christ as those with nothing redeemable in their life. They shall be saved yet so as by fire. And what will happen to those whom we influence in the wrong ways? The possibilities are simply awful.

Since each of us has within him/her the potential of sinning in a similar manner as did Achan, let each one learn the high importance of agreeing with God, and doing His will in life. It makes for peace and joy here as well as hereafter.

FOR THOUGHT: Many see the punishment of Achan as unduly harsh. Do you? Why? Is such a sin as Achan’s as bad today as it was then? Will sins be as harshly judged before the Lord as they were back then? How important is it to you to study to obey the teachings of the Lord?

What

does

Hebrews

10:26-31

mean

to

you?

WHAT DID ADAM DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?

Perhaps the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is one of the best known stories from the Bible. However, it needs to be revisited often. What did Adam do that was so wrong?

The first couple was given the grand privilege of living in paradise. Theirs was simply to dress the garden and keep it, and to abstain from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Sounds simple enough. However, being innocent in the strictest sense, they knew nothing about evil, therefore, knew nothing about good either. Remember the forbidden tree was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. How long they remained in their blissful state of innocence is anybody's guess, but apparently it was not a very long time. Then the tempter came.

The tempter always wisely picks the weakest point to work on. First, he implanted doubt as to the consequence of partaking of the forbidden tree. Then he used the threefold temptation of I John 2:16. Eve saw that the tree was pleasant to behold, that it was good for food, and that it was desirable to make one wise (the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life).

So, she ate and gave unto her husband and he, too, did eat. So, what did Adam do that was so wrong? Wasn't the fruit pretty? Yes, it was. Wasn't the fruit good to eat? Yes, it was. Isn't the acquisition for knowledge the perpetual quest of mankind? Yes, it is. Doesn't a man want to please his most beautiful wife? Yes, he does! So what did Adam do that was so wrong? To put it in simple terms, he disobeyed God! Eve was honestly deceived by the deceiver in the transgression, but Adam did what he did with full knowledge that he was disobeying God.

Suddenly, their understanding was opened to know both good and evil, but horribly, they did not have the power to choose the good and forsake the evil. Thus sin in all of its horrible, deadly effects became a part of their lives sealing itself into the very nature of mankind so that there never has been or ever will be an offspring of man who is not a sinner. Then as a sinner, his destiny is sealed in the doom of him who is the father of it, even Satan and his final abode in the lake of fire. This would have been the fate of Adam, and all mankind if it were not for the grace of God and substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus. But that is another story--a wonderful story.

In retrospect, it appears so easy to make drastically wrong decisions with far reaching consequences. Moreover, it is still that way today. Often, decisions are made in haste without forethought of what will come of them. Many have wept bitterly with many tears, but with no chance to change what has happened. Think about Esau! Hebrews 12:16-17.

Is there anyone who would say that Adam did not do anything wrong? It was so wrong! If God says it, we do extra well to hear and obey whether we understand or not. God is totally righteous. He is the Creator; we are the created. He has not and cannot command of anyone or anything to do or to be wrong.

FOR THOUGHT: Did Eve’s deception in the temptation excuse her from its consequences? Do you think deception or even lack of knowledge will be an acceptable excuse for your sins? Does the sinful rationale of people still cause them to fall in the temptations of the world as spoken by I John 2:16? Is there a way for a sinner to be made righteous? It is easy to blame Adam and Eve, but who is it that does not sin in a similar manner?

WHAT DID ANANIAS DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

In Bible times, Ananias was a man of God who lived in or near Damascus. To this same man the Lord appeared in a vision, and gave him a very special task to perform.

Ananias was sent to minister to the most feared prosecutor of God’s people in his generation: Saul of Tarsus. Ananias knew well the reputation of this man, and the very reason he had come into the area of Damascus. So, what did Ananias do that was so right?

To make a long story short, he obeyed the Lord! Even though he feared Saul of Tarsus, he feared God more. Ananias did not know about the Damascus Road experience of Saul, but he did know his Lord. It was enough for him that God said “Go to him.” Wonderful things happen when God’s people listen to the Lord and are obedient to Him.

Ananias would never have been known by today’s generation except he obeyed the Lord.

He was the human instrument who baptized Saul and whom God used to restore his sight.

Because he obeyed, he became a living part of the blessed Word of God for all time.

Ananias was not asked to do a great, near impossible feat. He was asked to simply do the bidding of his Lord; to do what he could do: but it was something most others could not do. This is a very important part of the story. Only John the Baptist originally had the authority from heaven to baptize. That authority was given to the Lord’s church upon Jesus’ ascension. Others might have dipped Saul in water, but it would not have been a heaven-recognized baptism, nor would Saul have received his sight. The Holy Spirit accompanies heaven’s authorized baptism, and spiritual eyes are opened to spiritual things that the carnal mind cannot receive. Great blessings flowed from the act of obedience and that is so right!

Today, many have the attitude: “Let someone else do it.” God does not want someone else to do it. He wants His people; His churches to do it. He has authorized no other. We have the opportunity to witness and heaven’s authority to baptize, and to teach all things Jesus commanded. Because we can do this we must do it. Moreover, when we obey the Lord, great blessings will come as a result. Folks will be saved. Some will be baptized. The church will grow, lives will be changed, and glory will rebound to the Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, and that is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Has God ever called upon you to do anything you cannot do? What? If the believer is authorized and empowered by the Word to serve God, what excuse may be acceptable if he does not do it?

WHAT DID HEROD DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?

Acts Chapter Twelve tells the sad story of a powerful man who could not get his ego stroked enough. But let's put it into perspective. Herod was a king. Kings normally have little to nothing denied them. There were some folks who had not pleased Herod, and they were anxious to mend political fences.

So, the stage was set to make it happen. On an appointed day, Herod came to Caesarea, and so did those who were anxious to mend a political breach. As Herod waxed eloquently, his verbiage was met with applause and shouts of the people, "This is the voice of a god, not a king." So, what did Herod do that was so wrong? Their false accolades greatly pleased Herod who was content to soak up such praise rather than put himself into proper perspective as being a mere man, and not God at all. Since he would not acknowledge God and give Him due glory in front of the people, the wrath of God broke forth upon him. The Bible says that Herod was eaten of worms, and died in that great forum where minutes before he soaked up the false praise of the people.

What did Herod do that was so wrong? Earlier he had James killed. That was extremely terrible, but here, he openly took to himself praise and honor that belong only to God. This pattern was the creation of Lucifer, and exactly what got him and his angels kicked out of heaven. How many times has this been repeated through the centuries and each time with drastic, fatal and eternal consequences.

But what does this New Testament incident teach us today? It teaches us to reign in our sinful egos. We must not rob God of the just honor and glory that belongs to Him and Him alone. Whether one is high and mighty in this world or simple and lowly matters not. Each must know his place in relation to the Great Eternal God.

However, one may surmise, people who follow Herod's example today will not fall down dead, and be eaten of worms on the spot. This is doubtless true due to the marvelous grace of our loving Lord. However the pattern is set, and just as Herod lost his life in his robbing God, so anyone who follows his pattern will lose his life. What is meant by that is even though one is saved and follows this pattern, he will lose the profit and reward of life that he could have otherwise enjoyed throughout eternity. This is the meaning of I Cor. 3:9-15 and being saved yet so as by fire. Let us not walk in rebellion and thievery toward God, but give Him the honor and glory He should receive from our life. It will be blessings now, but more importantly for ever and ever hereafter.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you believe that taking the praise justly due another is a form of robbery?

Have you ever had another take credit due to you? How did you feel? How do you think God reacts to men taking credit due to Him?

WHAT DID JOSHUA AND CALEB DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

Of all the men above twenty-one years of age who left Egypt in the ancient exodus of the Hebrews from that country, only two lived to enter the Promised Land. Those two were Joshua and Caleb. Moses did not make it. Aaron did not make it nor any others of that generation except Joshua and Caleb. So, what did they do that was so right?

About two years into the wilderness journey, the Hebrews came to the edge of the Promised Land. They camped at a place called Kadesh-barnea. From there, twelve spies were sent to spy out the land and make a report. The land was indeed a good land yielding fruit of unimaginable quality and quantity. The spies brought back a cluster of grapes that had to be carried on a pole on the shoulders of two men!

But, Alas! Ten of the twelve spies were frightfully impressed with the giant stature of the inhabitants of the land, their walled cities, and the prospects of their families becoming slaves to them in the likely event of defeat. Was this not simply human? Sinful human! The battle was not the Hebrews’ battle. It was God’s battle.

Enter Joshua and Caleb. These two believed God, and they pleaded with the Hebrews to also believe and follow Him into battle. This was the God Who parted the Red Sea, gave them water from a rock and provided daily bread from heaven. This could have been the beginning of a conquest in which the Hebrews would not lose a single man, but through their unbelief it became a death warrant for every one of them twenty-one years of age and upward, except for Joshua and Caleb. What did they do that was so right? They believed God above all they held dear without reservation. Do you believe God? If so, you are doing something that is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Do you believe God? Do you really believe God with no reservation for all you hold dear? Do you believe that man’s inability is God’s opportunity? When was the last time you trusted him explicitly and implicitly as you faced a giant challenge?

WHAT DID KORAH DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?

Korah is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments: Numbers 16 and Jude 11. His end was swift and sad. He also carried hundreds into death with him. Notice some most interesting Bible facts concerning Korah.

Korah was a very likeable man. He was a Levite meaning he was a priest and a leader of men -- one who was to teach others the ways of God. He was so well liked that hundreds of the princes of Israel and their families followed him. So far, so good. Would not almost anyone desire to be like him? So, what did Korah do that was so wrong?

Korah allowed himself to be lifted up in pride. He desired the position of Aaron and Moses as the most prominent leader of the nation. With his supporters following him, he perceived himself as great, but he felt he should be number one in Israel. As a result he called into question the leadership of Aaron and Moses in a public challenge.

Aaron and Moses did not immediately answer his challenge of leadership. Instead they took the case to God. After all, it was God who put them there, and they were dedicated to doing God's will. God instructed that all the princes of Israel should each bring his staff and lay it up at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation to wait for God's sign. This they all did.

However when they looked the next morning, Aaron's rod had come to life, budded and even bore almonds. Thus did God signify his approval of the Aaronic Priesthood for the position of leading the people in spiritual affairs. So, what had Korah done that was so wrong? He had rejected and even rebelled at the authority of God. This is exactly what Lucifer had done before him.

What happened to Korah, his family, his followers and their families? The earth opened and swallowed them in an instant and then closed back again, and they were no more in the world of men. Surely, this incident continues to say something very important today.

It is extremely dangerous to reject and/or rebel at the authority of God. The authority of God is revealed in the Holy Scriptures. It is invested in His New Testament Church. When one says no to the cross there will be eternal consequences to pay. When one says "no" to baptism and church fellowship there will be eternal consequences to pay. When God's people feel they can get along without Him and throw off his authority by rejecting His fellowship and His church, they abuse, and do despite to the marvelous grace of God, and they can never imagine how awful the consequences will be. Doubtless, the earth will not open and swallow them up in an instant of time, but they will lose the value and reward of life in the end. There will be no opportunity to make up for that mistake. Let us all be mindful of Korah for his actions are recorded for our benefit upon whom the ends of the world are come. 1 Cor. 10:11.

FOR THOUGHT: Do you understand that a bona fide New Testament church operates within the sphere of heaven’s authority? Does that not mean that violating its authority is a violation of heaven’s authority? Will all believers be judged on how they have nurtured and upheld that authority or how they have abused it? How highly do you esteem the church of your membership?

WHAT DID LAZARUS’ SISTER DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

Mary, the sister of Lazarus also had a sister named Martha. Mary was a common name in Biblical times. Consequently, that name is used often and refers to different people. What most people remember about Mary, the sister of Lazarus is that she chose to sit at Jesus feet and learn of heavenly things rather than concern herself with food preparation. That choice brought rebuke from Martha, but praise from Jesus.

A more notable deed that Mary did is also recorded in the gospels. Near to the time of Jesus’ betrayal and subsequent crucifixion, He visited the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary as He had done several times before. On this occasion, Mary brought out a box of very expensive ointment and anointed the body of Jesus. Again, there was criticism. Some of the apostles wondered why the waste when the ointment could have brought a handsome price in the marketplace, and the money given to the poor. But again, Jesus upheld her actions, knowing her true motive. She had anointed Jesus body for burial, something no one else had done or even thought about.

Because Mary put Jesus above earthly things and chose to learn of Him, she was given spiritual insight and comprehended things others had not. Therefore she was enabled to provide special service and honor to Jesus, and that was so right! Moreover, Mary’s opportunity was not singularly hers. Others were there. Others had followed Jesus. Others had heard Him speak of being crucified. But it was Mary who understood, and did what she could.

It is much the same way today. Everyone has access to a Bible. Everyone can be saved.

Everyone can gain much spiritual insight into the things of God, if they dedicate themselves to gaining it.

Moreover, one can be sure that even the best of deeds done from a pure heart will suffer criticism. Sometimes that comes from those who consider themselves to be close followers of Jesus. However, it is what God approves that is important.

Mary and her deeds were incorporated into the Word of God, and every generation since has knowledge of her. She was a shining example, and while she enjoys heavenly rest, those wonderful deeds still multiply and follow her to God’s glory and her eternal reward.

One day the same will be true of all of God’s people who put Jesus first in their life. This will make the Judgment Seat of Christ a most rich and rewarding event for all such disciples, and that is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Your time and talents are valuable, but do you sometimes sense that men may think you waste them to honor God? In studied acts of worship, do you consider any of them to be wasteful? Are they more important to you than social events?

WHAT DID MOSES DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

Aside from being pulled from the river as an infant by Pharaoh’s daughter, what does one remember about Moses? Let’s see. He killed an Egyptian, balked at his initial commission, and was nearly killed by the Lord because he had not circumcised his children. Also, he disobeyed and dishonored God by striking the rock instead of speaking to it. Well, those are the major sins of his life so let’s look on. He brought plagues on Egypt, parted the Red Sea, gave Israel the Law and led the children of Israel in the wilderness. Wrong! These are things that God did, not Moses. So what did Moses do that was so right?

It is important to keep some things basically straight in mind. Moses was a sinner, the son of a sinner and no different in that regard to anyone in the world today. He deserved to spend eternity in hell as we all do. It was important that Moses was a fourth generation child of the Hebrews in Egypt. It was important that his mother was his nursemaid and taught him his heritage and the things of the Lord. However, the really important thing Moses did that was so right is written in Hebrews 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God; esteeming the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of reward. ” Notice the two words “faith” and “choosing”. These are key.

Moses rise to prominence was God’s doing based upon the faith and choice of Moses. His rise to prominence is not so overall important. However, His faith and choice are immensely important. Men are still called upon to exercise faith in God, and to make the choice to follow Him. That done, however, how God chooses to use each individual is His business. All are not called upon to do the same service or to make the same sacrifice except the “Living Sacrifice Paul spoke of to the Romans (chapter 12). It is just as important to be an Isaac who unstopped some wells as it is to be a Moses in prominence. Both are the fulfil ment of God’s wil . Faith, choice, obedience are good words indicating good things in the life of Moses, and that is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Have you exercised repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus? Have you made a choice to follow Him? Are you doing it? Making right choices is what Moses did, and what every

believer

may

do,

and

that

is

so

right.

WHAT DID NADAB AND ABIHU DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Leviticus 10:1-2.

Certainly, Nadab and Abihu must have done something terribly wrong to fall under the swift and deadly punishment from God. What was it? In simple terms, they offered strange fire before the LORD. What does this mean and why was it so wrong? Moreover, what does it convey to us today?

All aspects of the Old Testament worship including the erection of the tabernacle itself were types of New Testament realities. It was extremely important that commandments be carried out exactly and specifically as given.

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron the High Priest were priests of God ministering about the things of the tabernacle. As they prepared to offer the Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) annual offering, they were to take fire from the altar and burn incense with it in the Holy Place. It is apparent that they did not take coals of fire from the altar, but from some other source that may have been more convenient for them. In doing so they were breaking the obvious link between the sacrifice of the altar, and the offering of incense, a sweet savor before the LORD.

God broke forth upon them in fire that took their lives immediately, but did not destroy their clothing, by which they were carried out.

In like manner today, men think to offer to God various plans of salvation, modes of baptism, and variety in the Lord’s Supper. He does not break forth upon them in fire as of old because the pattern is set, and there will be no deviation from it. Judgment is already declared for all who refuse to hear and abide by the Word of the Lord. Those who do these things follow the erroneous path of Nadab and Abihu. In the end, they will lose the value and reward of life (even if they are saved, spiritually). They will be saved yet so as by fire, and have eternity to realize and regret a wasted life of foolishly substituting the sinful reasoning of man for “thus saith the Lord.”

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” I Cor. 10:11-12.

FOR THOUGHT: If Nadab and Abihu died for disobeying the Lord in details of service, do you suppose people will meet in judgment a lesser degree of loss for perverting God’s Word today?

Does I Corinthians 3:9-16 give one a clue about this? Do you think any part of God’s Word is optional enough that one can safely take it or leave it? Why?

WHAT DID RAHAB DO THAT WAS SO RIGHT?

The scriptures tell us that Rahab was a harlot (a woman of ill-repute). But that is not all that the scriptures tell us about her. It may be thought extraordinary that such a woman should be mentioned in the Bible, especially by name and that more than once.

Not only was she a harlot, she is incorporated into the lineage of King David and also of Jesus. Could there be a higher elevation among mortals, let alone such a blatant sinner as she? Truly, her elevation was not a random chance. She did something very right. What was it?

In researching her history, it is learned that she lived in Jericho, and that her house joined hard against the inside wall of the city. Now Jericho was a mighty city with huge walls about it. Moreover, it was the first city the Hebrews would encounter after crossing the Jordan River and beginning their conquest of the Promised Land.

Joshua sent spies to determine the strength of the city. It was during this time that Rahab befriended the spies, and demonstrated her faith in God. Because of her actions, she was promised that she and all in her house would be saved alive in the siege of Jericho.

So, it came to pass as she was promised. Her faith in God and her putting that faith in action when the opportunity arose paid off big time for her, and all in her house. What did she do that was so right? She placed her faith in God, and she demonstrated that faith by saving the lives of His people when the opportunity was her’s.

Like Rahab, our life may not be cast in a day of great fame or attention paid by men, but we all have the opportunity to place our faith in God. God will then see to it that we will have the opportunity to demonstrate that precious faith. One way we do this is by faithful activity in the fellowship of His church. Another way is influencing lost men to be saved by trusting in the Lord Jesus.

Will we go down in history if we do these things? Well history is about over. Moreover, millions have trusted Jesus and lived for Him during their years, and we do not know their names. But God knows all of them. He also knows you and me today. We can claim a closeness to Jesus that Rahab never knew in her lifetime, and we can rejoice with her when God calls us home. Putting faith in Jesus and demonstrating that faith is so right!

FOR THOUGHT: Which is better, to do right though unsafe, or to do wrong and be safe? Do you think Rahab had a hard decision to make? Do you have hard decisions to make occasionally? How do you make them?

WHAT DID REHOBOAM DO THAT WAS SO WRONG?