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Don't Lower Your Javelin


            When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai in the fields and in the desert where they had chased them, and when every one of them had been put to the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and killed those who were in it. Twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai. For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai. But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the LORD had instructed Joshua. So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolate place to this day. He hung the king of Ai on a tree and left him there until evening. At sunset, Joshua ordered them to take his body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And they raised a large pile of rocks over it, which remains to this day. (Joshua 8:23ff)

            Warfare is never pleasant. Executing God's judgment at His command is not supposed to be fun. Yesterday, I was reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister who was captured and sent to a concentration camp for his involvement in a plot to murder Adolf Hitler. God had found the people of Ai guilty and told Joshua to execute His judgment. I'm sure it wasn't fun for the Israelites, just as our fighting against sin isn't fun for us. 
            One line in this passage bears our attention: "For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai." This brings to mind the battle in which the Israelites won as long as Moses held up the staff, and lost whenever he lowered it. Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a rock and held his hands up for him (Exodus 17:11-12.) Joshua didn't give up, give in, back down or take a break until the battle was over. 
           When we're fighting sin, we tend to give up too soon, to give in to our fleshly desires, to back down from confronting ourselves and to take a break "because we deserve it" or "because everyone needs a little fun" or out of pity. That's not how to win battles with your enemy. Don't lower your javelin!

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