Are You for Me or Against Me?
Joshua 5:1
As soon as all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the people of Israel until they had crossed over, their hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel.
As the Creator of heaven and earth crosses over this Jordan with His pilgrim band and reveals His uniquely divine authority over nature’s forces, even if the kings of the surrounding nations immediately begin a propaganda mission through their media apparatchiks and gaslight their citizens and spread false narratives and perhaps even send out sorcerers to the Jordan River to mimic the miracle, they still recognize genuine Sovereignty when they see it. Outwardly, they’ll put on a charade in an attempt to consolidate power, but inwardly, they feel the fragility of their position. The thundering footsteps of God’s people through the plains have exposed them. Of course their spirits are bowed down in the dust! Even demons bow down when God draws near. But the question is which way they’ll turn when they get up again.
Ask yourself this, friend: why do these kings not run in haste to the Jericho plains to surrender to the LORD? Why can’t they simply admit that they’ve been wrong about their deities and their manufactured rituals and just embrace the truth now that the lies have been exposed?! They’ve seen the hand of Almighty God at last, in their own midst, in fact; don’t they yearn to see more? Can’t they follow in Rahab’s footsteps and thrust themselves into the mercy of Jehovah, becoming traitors to their sitting duck-societies for a chance to be accepted by the King of heaven?
After all, it isn’t just Jewish people coming across the plains to their doorstep, but Gentiles, too, who’ve traded their own tribal titles and earthly inheritances to be named among the host of highest Heaven. Oh there’s plenty of room in this fertile land for Canaanites and Amorites, too. If only they’ll let the old world pass away so that God can make all things new.