Sword & Trowel 2019: Issue 1
they should explore their culture and adopt what they imagined were the harmless aspects. But the second resolution said – ‘Don’t look this way or that way. Don’t even look at those things which are contrary to what God has prescribed for you.’ Our resolution and pledge to the Lord is that of Job, ‘I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?’ I will not look at another person to lust; I will not look upon representations or images of wrong desire; I will not lust after self-exalting possessions or achievements; I will not be drawn by all that is in the world, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. There is a clear progression in these resolutions. Simple in ex- pression they are sophisticated in application. ‘Don’t look’ is followed (in verse 7) by the resolution – ‘Don’t mix,’ and that is followed successively by ‘Don’t mention; don’t depend on; don’t serve, and don’t bow down to.’ Each step de- notes a greater level of ensnarement. The first rung of the ladder of en- snarement is the stirrings of curiosity and desire, and our pledge must be, ‘Don’t look!’
3 DON’T MIX The third resolution is – ‘Come not among these nations,’ or ‘Don’t mix!’ This meant they were not to marry pagans, or adopt their de- based culture, or participate in their coarse things or sensual things. The same applies to Christians today. ‘Don’t mix,’ says the Scripture. Of course, we mix in the place of em- ployment and of study; we associate
page 6 Joshua’s Sixteen Resolutions
with others, witness to all, befriend those around us, always being ready to help, assist or advise, but we never endorse or adopt the culture. We cannot share to any degree sensual or coarse things, activities and topics of conversation that are distinctively anti-moral and godless. Yet today Christians who promote the new (and misnamed) ‘missional’ approach want to go to sleazy mov- ies with worldlings, and engage in all kinds of compromises supposedly to commend themselves to them and build influence. ‘Don’t mix’ is designed to keep believers from fatal compromise and loss. Our resolution and pledge to the
Lord is – I will come out from among them and be separate, and will touch not the unclean thing; I will not be found in the bar or pub or the place of low talk in the club or at the dance where all is fleshly, exhibitionist and sensual. Nor will I assemble in the name of religion with truth-denying opponents of evangelical faith at compromised denominational events. These must surely be our resolutions, in line with Joshua and all the Word of God.
4 DON’T MENTION Joshua’s fourth resolution carries
the avoidance of compromise even further: ‘Neither make mention of the name of their gods.’ Israelites were not to honour or approve those gods in any respect, because they were expressions of rejection of the one true God and an abomination in his sight. If Israelites foolishly named a child or a village after such a god, or in some other way caused people
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
