You are the nation

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means. Let's see where this takes us! 

Joshua 7

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Israel faces a minor defeat because one person saved some of the spoils of Jericho for himself instead of handing them over to the common treasury. 

Is stoning him to death and setting him on fire a just punishment of a loving and merciful God? The penalty is excessive by today's standards.

But this isn't about a particular man and his punishment. The story of Israel is the story of you. Let's say you stumbled on $576,000 in cash. None of it belongs to you, but you take $10,000 for yourself, report to the authorities that you discovered $566,000, and proudly hand it over that amount.

You might think you're a good person because you could have kept it all to yourself. But the fact is that you stole money, you're not acting with integrity, and deep down, you know it. You'll be stressed out with guilt and continually facing setbacks until you make things right and "kill" the thief inside of you.

If we keep reminding ourselves that Israel is You, and Israel is Me, what might strike some as history and others as barbaric fiction can instead be seen as life lessons.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)