I Kings 16: 34
In [Ahab's] days, Heil the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the Word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.
Joshua 6:26
At that time [when the walls came a-tumblin' down] Joshua, pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the Lord is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.
This happened exactly as Joshua said it would. God is always faithful to carry out what He said would happen. This man Heil defied the Lord in rebuilding this city. And he paid with the deaths of his sons to do it. He must not have believed that God really meant what He said.
This gives me confidence in God doing everything He said He would do, even the things that haven't happened yet.
This is a detail that reinforces the truth of God's Word. It was a tragic sorrow for this man Heil to accomplish this. We're not told why he wanted to rebuild this city, just that he did. And God fulfilled His Word spoken by Joshua.
He will always do whatever He has said He would do. Many of these "promises" are conditional on, if we do this, then He will do that. If the consequences are negative, then we need to know what not to do. But if the results are positive, then that's what we need to know how to do.
I want to pay attention to everything God has told us. Every book, every chapter of every book, in the whole Bible, has value. God has given us every word in His Word to teach us who He is, who we are, and how to live here where He's put us with the people He has put with us. And how to relate to Him.
People who don't want to know Him, He will not force Himself on. But everyone who seeks Him will find Him, if we seek Him seriously, with our whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13). This is His promise. It's our choice.
God is not willing that anybody would lose out on Life, but wants for everyone to come to repentance, turn around, and admit they deserve death, and let Jesus take their place on the Cross (II Peter 3:9). Then He will forgive their sin, grant His own Holy Spirit to live in their human spirit, and be alive spiritually, as His child. His prince or princess, to grow up when He glorifies us, to reign with Him on His Throne in His Kingdom. That is God's goal for us (John 17:24).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
