Bible Men: Joshua: War and Peace

For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. Jos 23:9 

Sin Brought War and Hatred for Peace

Generally there are two wars which plague mankind. The temporal war which everyone can see. And the war of the mind and heart which is invisible. Someone has called it the universe within. Anyone can glean the light outside. It’s the light inside which astonishes.

Men are drawn to a fight like a moth to light.

A brawl will break out in the street, and suddenly men will gather. The combatants will breath fire. Men will cheer and anyone who tries to break it will be the new enemy. Why should he spoil other people’s fun?

I watched a thief being beaten to death and I’ve never forgotten it. First the thief was cornered. He was caught in the act having broken into someone’s house. He was a young man. I saw the terror on his face. Then the blows followed. Blood spurted out. For about half an hour that young man bore it all. Stones crashed on his head. But still he didn’t die. And still people didn’t stop. He died after about one hour. And like Saul at the death of Stephen I stood quietly nearby consenting to his death.

My girlfriend was livid that I felt mercy for such a man. She had been in the middle of the fight hurling stones. Just before the young man died, she confided to me in horror, his manliness passed out. As a writer I thought that was very interesting. That there’s a point in pain where it ceases being pain anymore but glory. And that is a terrifying thought for a man to dwell on. It is strange after the young man died everybody walked away in haste.

So we lost much more in Eden than we shall ever perceive. Sin brought war. And in our hatred and rejection of God, we threw out the baby with the birth water. We hated peace. In fact we scorned it and everything which reminded us of God. He became our chief enemy. His glory became a burning a fire. Our glory became a dark spot in the sky of the mind. War became a sport. People wrestled and killed for spoils and wives. Today war is much more subtle than that, but we still fight.

The Light in the Shadows

Of course light has shone. Men cannot deny that. It’s what keeps hope burning. It’s what keeps faith going. We believe God even though we don’t know him.

We watch the happenings outside in horror. But it’s the horror within our own hearts which keeps us awake. It’s that which drives us to our knees at midnight. Now a man can rise to his feet, go to his bed and sleep soundly until morning. He does that because he has a God who is larger than his horror.

Have you known such a God? Have you tasted his peace which passes understanding? Imagine he’s there. He’s not a dream. He’s real!

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. Psa 91:1-6  

The Evasions and Nuances

In a way life is about evasion. And it is good because it enables people to avoid the unpleasant and to dwell on the bright. We evade war to stay alive.

That’s why books and movies are an antidote to the malaise of lethargy. Christians fly to fellowships and prayers and singing of psalms. We know what things to dwell on and what things not to (Phi 4:8).

Now the peculiar thing about war and peace is not that the Bible denies they are there. The peculiar thing is that it admits they are there.

When we talk of salvation people imagine it is a permanent escape from such wars, but that’s not true. Life may become harder just because the light has come.

What makes the difference is that the yoke of Christ (the Prince of Peace) is easier, just because the fight is no longer ours but God’s. It’s easier because of his promises.

The victory is not in winning the war. The chief war is always in keeping the victory which has been won. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Mat 24:13). 

So we read about the murder of Abel and the birth of Seth, about Abraham’s waiting, about Israel and slavery in Egypt, about Israel’s redemption and exodus, about Israel’s exile and Israel’s return – and suddenly we know God is true because Israel is still standing today, being so small, and yet invincible in world history.

And in that note we understand why Joshua believed God, why he fought and why he won.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Jos 1:9  

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Jos 21:45  

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psa 23:6  

What comfort! What peace! What joy! So Joshua ends with this testimony (for Israel and for us) - that God is indeed faithful! He promised. He delivered. He still does. I pray you will believe that too!