Joshua

America the Good

Joshua 5:1-8

 

Opening Words: This summer we are looking at the life of Joshua. We are in chapter five this weekend. Do you remember what has happened in the first four chapters? I hope these words are starting to sound familiar.

 

The story of Joshua begins with a funeral. Just as God’s Chosen people are about to enter the Promised Land their leader, Moses, dies. He is replaced by his aid, Joshua. At first he was a cautious leader. Instead of marching right into the Promised Land he sent two spies into the Promised Land. They are told to inspect the entire land. However, the place they are to inspect the closest is Jericho. It is while they are in that city that they receive some unexpected help from an unexpected person, the local prostitute, Rahab. (I am sure there is an untold story there.) She taught us about faith. When the great day finally comes the people receive some more help. However, this time it is divine help. Just as God divided the Dead Sea for their ancestors, God parts the Jordan River for them. Each one of them passes through on dry ground. Once they have all arrived safely Joshua takes the time to build a memorial to help the generations to come remember that day. That memorial was made from twelve stones from the Jordan. Each stone represented a single tribe. That was last week. At the very heart of this weekend’s painful text is the topic of rededication. Have you ever felt the need to rededicate yourself to God? May God give you ears to hear the first eight verses in the fifth chapter of Joshua. Let me call this message: America the Good.

 

Joshua 5:1-8 1 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. 2 At that time the LORD said to Joshua, "Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again." 3 So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth.4 Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the desert on the way after leaving Egypt. 5 All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the desert during the journey from Egypt had not. 6 The Israelites had moved about in the desert forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the LORD. For the LORD had sworn to them that they would not see the land that he had solemnly promised their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. 8 And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.

 

Alexis de Tocqueville lived between 1805 and 1859. He was a political thinker and historian. He came to America during the 1830s to study the social conditions of our land. In 1831, he wrote these now famous words:

 

I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests--and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution--and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!

 

Those should be familiar words to you. I read them to you last year during the first weekend of July. We are revisiting those words because they are still true today. America is great because America is good. Let me ask you a hard question. Do you believe America has lost some her goodness?

 

That is the kind of nation that Joshua wanted. He didn’t just want to establish a great nation. He wanted to establish a good nation. A nation whose very foundation was God. That is why he gives that painful order. All the men who had not been circumcised in Egypt must be circumcised now. Stop and think about it. We are not talking about circumcising newborn males. We are talking about circumcising forty year old men. Why do such a thing? Because, it was a form of witness. Their world was a male dominated world. When males were circumcised they were marked for life. They were telling the world that they were Hebrews, God’s Chosen People. They were telling the world they believed in the one true God, Jehovah! They were rededicating themselves to God and telling the world that their nation was going to be different. The text ends with this obvious passage. Verse eight says, “And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed.” I believe they stayed there quite awhile. (I almost called this message: Just for Men.)

 

Today, I want to talking briefly about three temptations that America faces in our time. If we fall to these temptations then we will remain a good nation. The first temptation deals with our citizenship. The second temptation deals with our capitalism. The third temptation deals with our Christianity. So if you are ready to beginning looking at these temptations say, “Amen!” I will be brief I know this is a holiday weekend.

 

Citizenship

This is temptation number one. There is the temptation of enjoying citizenship without upholding our responsibility as citizens. Is our country a better nation because you are a citizen?

 

My father’s side of the family has been in this country prior to the American Revolution. They tell me my mother’s side of the family came during the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1947). They did not just walk into the country. They went through Ellis Island. They have to prove their worth to become citizens. There was a certain procedure that had to be followed. Their personal history was examined. They didn’t want criminals to enter the country. They were given a physical. They had to be healthy enough to work. They had to have a skill that would benefit society. And I think this is correct. They had to be able to speak English. You could be rejected for any of these reasons and sent back to Europe. In these days the emphases was more on what was best for the country than what was good for the individual. The other night someone said to me, “I think we enforce those standards for citizenship today.” Maybe you feel that way? I am not sure how I feel. The times have changed.

 

How many people do you know wouldn’t be granted citizenship if they applied today? How many people do you know aren’t an asset to our society. How many people do you know what to reap the benefits of being an America without shouldering any of the responsibility? John Kennedy said it best, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” There is the temptation of enjoying citizenship without upholding our responsibility as citizens. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

 

Capitalism

Throughout his administration, Abraham Lincoln was a president under fire, especially during the scarring years of the Civil War. And though he knew he would make errors of office, he resolved never to compromise his integrity. So strong was this resolve that he once said, "I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me." Do you consider yourself a friend? Are you a person of high integrity? Do you listen to your conscious?

 

This is temptation Number Two. There is the temptation of enjoying capitalism while ignoring conscious. Capitalism means “Free Market.” I am glad we live in a free market society. We have the right to buy and sell products so we can make a profit. The problem is when profit becomes the driving force people get hurt. Profit without conscious is a dangerous combination. Do you know of anyone who is more concerned about money than people? There is the temptation of enjoying capitalism while ignoring conscious. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

 

Christianity

This is temptation number three. There is the temptation of enjoying Christianity without commitment. Is our church a better fellowship because you are a member?

 

Did you know fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence? No one could question their commitment to America. Their commitment resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts but died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson's home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on his own home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. He never saw his thirteen children again. How can you question their commitment?

 

Can anyone question your commitment to Christ? Is you commitment altering the way that you spend your time? Is your commitment altering the way that you spend your money? Is your commitment influencing the relationships in your life? If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you know you are going to heaven when you die. You should find a new way everyday to thank God for saving your soul. Howe have you thank God today? Is the faith influencing the way that you live? There is the temptation of enjoying Christianity without commitment. And all of God people said, “Amen!”

 

Let me end with some good news. Gentlemen, no one is going to be circumcised today! However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rededicate yourself to God. That is what Joshua wanted 3500 year’s ago and that is what I want today. Resist the temptations so America can remain a good nation. Let us enjoy our citizenship while upholding our responsibility. Let us enjoy capitalism while we listen to our conscious. Let us remain committed to our faith. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”