Thursday, 20 November 2014

08:49 - No comments

Who Will You Serve?

Do you have a hard time believing the Holy Bible because there appears to be an obvious contradiction with science? The Bible is full of strange occurrences that appear to contradict science. One example of a “strange occurrence is when Israel was in the process of claiming the Land of Canaan for their inheritance. They were fighting the Amorites. During one of the battles, the Sun and the Moon stood still “in the valley of Ajalon.” (Joshua 10:12). How is that scientifically possible? Did the Sun stand still? The Book of Mormon has shed some light on the issue. Helaman 12:13-17 states “Yea, and if he say unto the earth-Move- it is moved.” It was the earth that stood still, not the Sun. Regardless of what heavenly body stood still, how can a planet or a star defy science? It is because the Lord made it so. For others who struggle to see past faith, this concept may be hard for them to grasp. The truth is the truth no matter if a person believes it or not. The Lord has the ability and the power to disrupt heavenly bodies. He does so when His purposes require it. I believe this to be true with every fiber in my being. I may not understand how the science of it all works, I do have faith that one day I will see how science, and God are irrevocably intertwined. I look forward to that day.

While Israel was claiming their “Land of Promise”, they had many ups and downs. In Joshua 7-22, their many triumphs and shortcomings are listed. After their victory in Jericho, Achan took the “spoils of Jericho”, meaning he took possession of an idol that went against the law of God. That mistake lead to the defeat in Ai (failure). After the situation was rectified, Israel had victory of Ai. After the victory, Joshua built and altar in Mount Ebal, thus showing his gratitude towards the Lord for their victory (success). Through deceit the Gideonites became allies with Israel, even though the Lord commanded no alliances with the Canaanites. This alliance leads to the slavery of the Gibeonites (failure). Israel defeats the Amorites, and the Lord makes the Sun and the Moon “stand still” (Joshua 10:12) (success). By Joshua 11, Israel has claimed their Land of Promise. (success). While Israel made many mistakes, they had many triumphs as well. And after many years of wondering in the wilderness, Israel can finally have rest.

Just before Joshua passed, he gave an address to Israel. The theme of this address was agency. He listed all the ways the Lord had lead Israel, and the many ways Israel was blessed. Then he charged them to “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15), thus making clear that Israel had the choice. They could choose to serve Baal, and live wickedly. The consequence would be misery and destruction, but the choice is theirs. Or they could choose righteousness and obedience. The consequence would be prosperity and happiness. It’s beautiful to me how even in the Old Testament, agency is in the forefront of the messages there. Each of us has the choice to choose to serve the Lord, or something else. The choice is ours. But “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15)

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)