The God Who Wants to Give a Life on a Different Level

The angel of Yahweh comes up from Gilgal to Bochim and speaks to Israel. He says that it was he who brought them out of Egypt, he who gave them the land he swore to their fathers, and he who said he would never break his covenant. Then he rebukes them because they made a covenant with the people of Canaan and did not break down their altars. When the people hear this word, they weep aloud and offer sacrifices.

God speaks of the past again and again because his heart is heavy as he looks at his people now. If the hedge of protection is taken away, they will live among thorns and snares just like the people of the world. Yet the tears the people shed were not tears of sorrow for their sin. They wept because they were afraid of losing the blessings they had enjoyed. So even after offering sacrifices, before long they do evil again.

Peter and Judas Iscariot both betrayed Jesus, and both repented, but the outcomes were as different as heaven and earth. True humility is recognizing sin, not committing it again, and living by the word for God. God still longs for Joshua, who obeyed, and he is waiting for even one person to return with a sincere heart.