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APRIL 17
DAY 16: Are catastrophes a sign of God’s judgment?
Upon hearing about an incident where Galileans were sought out and killed in the temple by
Roman authorities while in the process of offering a sacrifice, perhaps because they were seditious
zealots,Jesus asked His listeners,“Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners…because
they suffered such things?” (Luke 13:2). It was the belief of many that disaster and sudden death
always signified divine displeasure over particular sins (see Job 4:7).Those who suffered in uncom-
mon ways were therefore assumed to be guilty of some more severe immorality (see John 9:2).
Jesus did not deny the connection between catastrophe and human evil,for all such afflictions
ultimately stem from the curse of humanity’s fallenness (Gen.3:17–19).Furthermore,specific calami-
ties may indeed be the fruit of certain iniquities (Prov. 24:16). But Christ challenged the people’s
notion that they were morally superior to those who suffered in such catastrophes. He called all to
repent (v. 3), for all were in danger of sudden destruction. No one is guaranteed time to prepare for
death, so now is the time for repentance for all (see 2 Cor.6:2).
Jesus also mentions another disaster in Siloam, where evidently one of the towers guarding
an aqueduct collapsed, perhaps while under construction, killing some people (v. 4). Again, the
question in the minds of people was regarding the connection between calamity and iniquity
(“worse sinners”). Jesus responded by saying that such a calamity was not God’s way to single out
an especially evil group for death, but a means of warning to all sinners.

who fights for you, as He promised you.
April 17 11 Therefore take careful heed to yourselves,
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that you love the LORD your God. Or else, if
indeed you do go back, and cling to the rem-
nant of these nations—these that remain
Joshua 23:1–24:33
among you—and make marriages with them,
Now it came to pass, a long time after and go in to them and they to you, know for
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23 the LORD had given rest to Israel from certain that the LORD your God will no longer
all their enemies round about, that Joshua was drive out these nations from before you. But
old, advanced in age. And Joshua called for all they shall be snares and traps to you, and
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Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their scourges on your sides and thorns in your
judges, and for their officers, and said to them: eyes, until you perish from this good land
“I am old, advanced in age. You have seen which the LORD your God has given you.
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all that the LORD your God has done to all 14 “Behold, this day I am going the way of all
these nations because of you, for the LORD the earth. And you know in all your hearts and
your God is He who has fought for you. See, I in all your souls that not one thing has failed of
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have divided to you by lot these nations that all the good things which the LORD your God
remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, spoke concerning you. All have come to pass
from the Jordan, with all the nations that I for you; not one word of them has failed.
have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward. 15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the
5 And the LORD your God will expel them from good things have come upon you which the
before you and drive them out of your sight. LORD your God promised you, so the LORD will
So you shall possess their land, as the LORD bring upon you all harmful things, until He
your God promised you. Therefore be very has destroyed you from this good land which
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courageous to keep and to do all that is written the LORD your God has given you. When you
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in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn have transgressed the covenant of the LORD
aside from it to the right hand or to the left, your God, which He commanded you, and
7 and lest you go among these nations, these have gone and served other gods, and bowed
who remain among you. You shall not make down to them, then the anger of the LORD will
mention of the name of their gods, nor cause burn against you, and you shall perish quickly
anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve from the good land which He has given you.”
them nor bow down to them, but you shall Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of
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hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have 24 Israel to Shechem and called for the
done to this day. For the LORD has driven out elders of Israel, for their heads, for their
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from before you great and strong nations; but judges, and for their officers; and they pre-
as for you, no one has been able to stand sented themselves before God. And Joshua
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against you to this day. One man of you shall said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD
chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He God of Israel: ‘Your fathers, including Terah,
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