Ridiculous
Have you ever noticed that God seems to function in the realm of the ridiculous?
At least from a human perspective. His very nature goes against the grain of what makes “common sense.”
“Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Cor. 1:20)
In Joshua 5 we find the children of Israel in the Promise Land after 40 years of Nascar racing (going in circles with no apparent purpose).
They had finally made it! Like a newly married couple arriving home from their honeymoon they cross the threshold of thier new home and the first thing God asks them to do?
Prepare for battle against Jericho? Train your soldiers? Build a fortress in Gilgal? Watch episodes of The Office on DVD?
Nope…
God told Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel…” (vs. 2)
That doesn’t seem like brilliant military strategy. I don’t think Napoleon or Patton would be to impressed with this plan. God was asking Joshua to completely incapacitate his army making them vulnerable to the desperate Amorite and Cannanite armies.
What is God asking you to do right now that is totally ridiculous? Are you willing to obey despite the obvious risks? Will you put your faith into action by trusting God in the face of a seemingly asinine decision?
“The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17)
February 15th, 2008 at 1:26 am
Right now, I believe God just has me waiting and trying to be faithful in the small things. I almost wish something ridiculous would come along, so powerfully ridiculous that it could only be God.
February 15th, 2008 at 7:44 am
Ryan, you are so right. I’m sure that you have, but for those who haven’t, I highly recommend Gayle Erwin’s book, “The Jesus Style.” He points out just how “ridiculous” God can be sometimes.
Thanks for you site. It (along with others) offer a forum for excellent discussion.
Grace and peace…
February 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I read Gayle’s book at least one a year just to remind myself that, “… God has chosen the foolish things…that no flesh should glory in His presence,” so He can use you and me.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:43 am
CK…the fact that you are “waiting” on the Lord is ridiculous to most. Your desire to be faithful in the small things is an amazing demonstration of faith.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Okie…I have read “Jesus Style” but it’s been awhile (that rhymes).
I will have to pick it up again sometime…
February 15th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Ryan; The Jess Style is one of those book in your libary that you should read at leas once every 1-3 years. A profound reminder of the simplicity of being a servant from the Servant of servants, Jesus. Like Chuck, there will never be another Gayle Erwin.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Um… Nascar. That was funny. Just a bit of info for an “historical” perspective. The circumcision wasn’t about military strategy and the Israelites were coming in to Canaan to first walk in the promise God had given them. Their secondary goal was to “cleanse the land” so to speak.
In light of their desire to please God there were physical requiremments made of them, according to the Word. As the Law states, no man, Jew or Gentile, was permitted to observe Passover unless circumcised they had to make a personal and public choice. (Leviticus 12:43-50)
They came into Canaan at a certain point in time, the 10th day of the first month (Joshua 4:19/Exodus 12:1-4) which is the beginning of Passover. God performed a miracle at Jordan and the people responded to Him.
What befuddles me is this. The Jews were told to circumcise their children as a sign of the promise given to Abraham and as a sign of the covenant between God and His people… In the small space of 40 years (a new generation) they had to circumcise the adults in order to keep the commandment to remember this day, remember God’s deliverance and obey His word?
What this story shows me is Israel’s willingness to obey God in the small, personal and painful ways that no one can see but you and God. To obey privately so you can obey publically. That’s a level of commitment which God can use. And as the Word shows us, He did.
*stepping off soap box*
February 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Now that was metroneck. A real redneck would know the purpose of going in circles.
February 15th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
pebble…my main point in teaching it on Wednesday night and in sharing here was just that God asked them to do something that was really ridiculous from a human perspective.
God asks us to do really ridiculous things as well…giving to Him when you don’t have enough as it is…forgive someone who has really wronged you…etc.
james…nascar has never resonated with me.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Fun.
And timley.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I do agree with your premise and your statement. I hope I didnt’ sound as though I was disagreeing. I was enjoying the thought process prompted by a deeper look into the background. I hope I didn’t come off as belligerent. God’s mysteries are often not very mysterious when we look at it from a different perspective.
150 years ago electricity was the stuff of EVIL and sorcery… 4000 years later, stuff we read in the Word can be extremely hard to understand.
I completely agree with obedience even when it seems “ridiculous”. In the eyes of the world, when doesn’t it look weird?
February 16th, 2008 at 7:34 am
pebble…you didn’t come off as “belligerent”. I just wanted to make sure you understood my point.
My teaching style is very applicational…I use the information (history, original language, heavy theological stuff) to set the stage for “how does this work itself out in your life”.
I never want people to walk away feeling detached from the story or passage. I don’t want them to say, “oh those nasty Pharisees” I want them to see how we all have those proclivities. Or in this case…”I’m glad God doesn’t make me get circumcised at 25-30 years old” but wait…what is God asking you to do that is equally ridiculous?
I’m not interested in giving people a boatload of info to make them feel smart…I want to bring it home to ultimately draw them closer to Jesus.
thanks for your clarification…blessings