July 23, 2025 4:00 am
The Lord's generosity is highlighted in the story of Israel's conquest of Jericho and other pagan cities, where he informed the nations of his intentions more than a generation ahead of time, yet they refused to choose him and hardened their hearts.
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Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Hardened Hearts. for it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them as the LORD commanded Moses. Joshua eleven twenty. Yeah.
When read out of context, verses like this seem to contradict verses like John 3:16 that say God loves everyone. Details that help resolve this apparent contradiction also highlight the Lord's generosity. Thousands of Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years before Joshua led them to sack Jericho, I, and other pagan cities. The pagans knew what was coming. Rahab of Jericho said, I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us.
For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you. Joshua 2:9 and 10.
Soon after, a cadre of nearby Gibeonites masqueraded as a faraway people in hopes it would preserve them. Joshua discovered their plot and asked them to explain it. The Gibeonites replied, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you and have done this thing. Joshua 9:24.
If the Lord certainly told the Gibeonites about his plans, their neighbors likely knew too. Yet they fought God instead of seeking him, except for Rahab and her family, whom God preserved. The Lord showed his generosity by informing the nations in the land of his intentions more than a generation ahead of time. They refused to choose him, so he hardened their hearts. Today?
Will we soften our hearts and live? If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. And please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/slash donate. Your gift of any amount helps us to reach others with biblical truth and encouragement.
Thanks for listening. We hope you'll start each day with days of praise. Um
