Ryan Brunsink's Blog
choose, ye chosen. / 12.16.08, 01:51 PM
I choose God because God chose me.
Joshua twenty-four paraphrased, and thoughts:
Joshua summons the tribes to present themselves before God—to recenter themselves, refocus, to renew the Covenant. Joshua reminds the people how God took Abraham and made his offspring a nation, how he was with them through history, proving his presence, his love, his resilience, his faithfulness to his people over and over again.
And then Joshua exhorts the people—Put away these other gods—these lovers you run to. Stop cheating on YHWH, our God. Choose. Choose this day whom you will serve.
The people answer, “Far be it that we should forsake God who has loved and pursued us relentlessly. We remember.” And Joshua reminds them, “You are unfaithful; God is jealous for your affections. Can you really treasure Him above all else? He can’t take it when you so quickly run to other lovers.”
The people cry out, “No, but we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua—“You are witness against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve Him.”
People—“Yes, we are witnesses.”
Joshua—“Then put away these other lovers you run to and incline your heart toward God.”
People—“The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.”
God is jealous. Righteous Anger and Love one in the same. Pure. Jealous for our affections, for our reciprocation. Will you return my love? My love that went to a cross for you? My love that took on hell for your fulfillment, your freedom, for your hand and heart? This is no petty jealousy. We’re not talking high school drama here. This is the divine romance. This is real and raw. God longs for us to long for Him. It hurts because we’re whores. We’ll take the embrace of so much less. Maybe we’re scared of real love. God chose you. Will you choose Him? I will incline my heart. “I do.”
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