God gave Jericho and Ai to the Israelites in two separate ways. The methods of God often change. We become upset if things are not the same as the day before. God’s methods may change but his character never changes.

1 – The waywardness that He pardons (vs. 1)

The people were wayward in chapter 7 of Joshua. Yet God does not hold a grudge. He forgives the people. He is the God of a second chance. Failures are not final. Some people fail and then quit. We are to forgive those things which are behind. God gave Samson a second chance. He gave Jacob a second chance. He gave John Mark a second chance. He gave Peter a second chance. If you confess your sin, He will give you a brand new start. See Lamentations 3:22. He is the God if a second chance.

2 – The wickedness that He punishes (vs. 24)

It is God’s nature to forgive sin. It is also God’s nature to punish sin. There is no contradiction. It is important that sin is confessed. If we refuse to confess our sin then we face the wrath of God.

The Canaanites were a wicked people. They were a cancerous growth on humanity. They delighted on oppressing weaker people. They tortured people and took them as slaves. They would mutilate the bodies of those they defeated. They were demon worshippers and sacrificed children to their gods.

3 – The will that God permits (vs. 30)

God allows a man to choose whether he is blessed or cursed. God does not force his will upon anyone.

The twin peaks of Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal stand above the Shomron Valley. They may be twins, but they are not identical twins. Mount Ebal is the taller of the twins. Its barren slopes are strewn with gray rocks. This desolate mountain represents the curses that could befall Israel if they do not keep God’s laws. Mount Gerizim, on the other side, has beautiful tree covered slopes and represents the blessings that would come to Israel for following God’s laws.

The people would stand on both sides of the mountains and Joshua would read the blessings and cursings from God’s Word. It is God’s nature to bless and it is God’s nature to bless. It depends on what you say “Amen” to. It is your choice. It is up to you. There is a valley of decision. There is a mountain of misery or there is a mountain of misery. You can be like Jericho or Ai. There is no in between. You are either for God or against Him. You cannot be neutral.

Some people have difficulty making a decision. Here are some reasons to choose the mountain of mercy:-

• You can know immediate joy. Christianity provides joy now as well as in the future. Many people have things but they don’t have joy. There is no joy without Jesus. See Psalm 16:11 & Proverbs 10:22. You can have a good time being a Christian without having a hangover.
• There may be impending death. None of us know when our time will be up.
• Imminent return of Jesus Christ. One of these Jesus will come back. We are to be ready. It will come suddenly. Which mountain are you on? We are not waiting for any signs.
• Increasing hardness. Every time you same “no” to Jesus Christ, it gets harder to say “yes” to Jesus Christ. See Hebrews 3:7. We can bring the child to Jesus Christ. When we get older we may reject it because we have become so hard and cynical. Today is the day to come to Jesus Christ. If you leave it too long your heart may be so hard that God will not speak to you anymore. God has put you in the valley. Choose the mountain of mercy now.

Categories: Joshua