Joshua 11-12; Holy War

So God fulfilled his promises. Israel was given the land that he had promised to Abraham centuries before. Yet some might argue that nothing was given. Some would argue that Joshua took it; there was no giving involved.

The big picture is that of a small nation (Deuteronomy 7:7) with no country or fighting tradition that had survived a nomadic life in the desert for a generation. They crossed a river at flood stage that normally protected eastern Palestine from invasion. They then sacked fortified and unfortified cities, conquered alliances and were victorious in the mountains or plains against infantry, cavalry and chariots. Some might attribute that to great human effort but through the eyes of faith it appears that more was involved. Crossing a flooded river without getting wet and marching around a city till the walls fall down point to supernatural involvement.

In my house church we have been discussing holiness. A major question has arisen regarding whether holiness is given by God's grace or attained by human effort? I think Joshua could add a lot to the discussion. The land was given and attained. Yet all the efforts of the army would have been futile against so many obstacles and enemies. Israel did not stand a chance alone. God, however, is credited with giving the land, handing over enemies and guiding the Jews throughout the entire invasion. In 11:20 it says that the Lord destroyed the enemies even though 11:21 says that Joshua did. 11:15 (and many others) tie the two together saying that Joshua did just what the Lord commanded.

So bottom line time. No matter how hard I try, I will never attain holiness. If I follow God's directions and walk in his ways, then he facilitates it. He saw Israel as possessing the land years before they did. He sees his followers as holy years before we can see it. He talked as if the Jews were already owners of the land before they fought for it. He talks as if we are already holy even before we struggle to become it. That God gave Israel the promised land did not mean they did nothing. That he calls us holy does not mean we are free from spiritual or moral effort. The land was given and attained; likewise holiness is given and attained.