Fear

March 23, 2008

One of the most common set of words that I have ever read in the Bible could either be 'fear not' or peace be with you', both of which mean the same thing for the most part. In today's reading we find out why. Fear can kill you. I have heard it said that fear is just faith in the wrong thing. The people of Israel, when they came to the promised land the first time were in fear of what the spies reported. They had no reason to be you know. Take a look:

Joshua 2:8-11 NET
(8) Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof.
(9) She said to the men, "I know the LORD is handing this land over to you. We are absolutely terrified of you, and all who live in the land are cringing before you.
(10) For we heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you left Egypt and how you annihilated the two Amorite kings, Sihon and Og, on the other side of the Jordan.
(11) When we heard the news we lost our courage and no one could even breathe for fear of you. For the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on earth below!


Rahab is telling the two men who are checking things out on in the promised land this time, that as far back as when God parted the Red Sea, the people of Jericho have been waiting for this day to come. They had heard of the miracles of this God and knew that their days were short. In reality it was they who were afraid of the Israelites. If they had not been so afraid when they came the first time, the Israelites could have had the land and all the people would not have had to die in the wilderness.

You see, fear can kill you in a wilderness that you have put yourself in.

Read through the Bible in one year in Historical order
Today
Joshua 1:1-4:24
Tomorrow
Joshua 5:1-8:35
http://tinyurl.com/24beby for a daily reading tool