What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Was Joshua's lying before the Ark of the Covenant in Joshua 7 only a sign of humility, or also to be understood as a prayer, since his words were directed to God?"
Answer
Joshua's lying before the Ark of the Covenant was both an expression of deepest humility and an intense prayer. The Scriptures describe that he fell on his face in utmost abasement, wept and lamented, while directing his words directly to God.
It is emphasized that his physical posture was inseparably linked to his pleading for divine assistance, even though God then instructed him to rise to cleanse the sin in the camp.
Joshua's Humility and Prayer after the Defeat
»Joshua, your leader, was perplexed and confused. In greatest humility he fell on his face and prayed: “Ah, Lord, Lord, why did you lead this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites and to destroy us? ... O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back on its enemies!”«
The Plea before the Ark
»Joshua and the elders of Israel were in great distress. In deepest humility they lay before the Ark of God, because the Lord was angry with His people. They prayed and wept before God.«
Prayer as a Prerequisite for Strength
»The man who commanded: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and you, moon, in the valley of Ajalon,” is the man who lay stretched on the earth in prayer for hours in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of strength.«
Lament and God's Answer
»Joshua lay lamenting on his face before God, because the people were forced to make a shameful retreat before their enemies. The Lord commanded Joshua to rise: “Rise; why do you lie on your face?” ... He tells Joshua that there is a work for him to do before his prayer can be answered.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
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Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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