Blessing in the Battle-Battle of Ai


When times become difficult or chaotic, it’s easy to lose focus.  Life's battles can consume us, distracting us from the state of our hearts, the focus of our souls, and the actions we should be taking. Before we know it, we are likely in serious need of a spiritual "purifying" — a cleansing, or re-calibrating.
The Bible uses the metaphoric picturing of pure refined gold to describe the heart, soul and actions of God’s people.

In ancient Israel, God wanted everything in the tabernacle (and later the temple) to be purified so it could be used for His purposes. The ark of the covenant was overlaid with pure gold. The staffs to carry it were covered in gold, as were the mercy seat and the cherubim that covered it. The table for the shew bread was covered in gold. The dishes, spoons and bowls used in the temple service were pure gold. The candlesticks, the tongs, the lamp cups—all made of gold.
If something was to be in God’s presence, it was going to have be made of quality material.  (See Exodus Chapters 36-39 for details)

Today, God is preparing a different type of spiritual temple. According to Ephesians 2:19-22 (NLT) instead of a physical temple, God's followers to become a spiritual temple.  

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
In Joshua Chapter 7-8, the Israelites entered a battle with the city of Ai.  They charged into battle in their own strength based on their own wisdom (Ch 7: 2-5).  But because they were unfaithful with the things set apart for God they were paralyzed with fear and defeated (Ch 7:11).  They had lost the battle of the previous day, they couldn't go back, but they could purify themselves in preparation for the next day.
It was this lost battle that gave them-The BLESSING OF PURIFICATION!.
James 4:8 says that purification of our hearts comes with loyalty to God over the wisdom of the world.  The wisdom of the World told the Israelites they only needed a few men to win this battle but God had other plans.  When we are in a battle, more than any other time, we must be fully devoted and committed to God and His guidance for us so we feel secure in our hearts. 1 Peter 1:22 says that the purification of the soul comes when we obey the truth.  It is an inward decision lived outwardly. God commanded the Israelites to Get up and remove the impure things from among them so they could defeat their enemies. (Ch 7: 13)

In order to become God's holy temple of gold our hearts, souls and deeds need to be pure and sometimes that purifying only comes in the middle of a battle!






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