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.
Joshua 6:21
The Israelites were far from perfect but God’s Spirit was with them. He guided them in the desert. He spoke to the prophets. He provided food. He even sent armies of angels. The Israelites lived by the Spirit around them. I wonder… was God showing us throughout the Old Testament that physical life is nothing compared to the Spirit. John 6:63 says “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” In the Old Testament, God destroys those who threaten the physical and spiritual life of the Israelites. Just like in a movie today, the “bad” guys our killed off. The “good” guys survive. In this case, the only reason the Israelites are "good" is because Jehovah is their God. In the New Testament, God takes us a step farther. A “good” guy is murdered. Jesus Christ, the only person without ever doing a “bad” thing is put to death as part of God’s plan. Wow. What a twist in the plot. Could it be that God is teaching us again, that physical life is nothing compared to the Spirit? Only this time, he offers to give us the Spirit in exchange for what we think is life. That's an investment I would die for. How about you? For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:21, 24
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