“This policy [of hardening the heart] reveals the severe character of Yahweh's solution for sin in the book of Joshua. The Canaanites are eliminated because of their idolatry. No opportunity is given for 'repentance,' as Yahweh even hardens the hearts of those judged. The purpose given for this policy is not to provide room for Israel but rather to preserve Israel from the sinful practices of those in the land. The focus then is on the preservation of the faithful.”—A Severe Mercy, page 127
<idle musing>
Lebensraum it isn't! But, is that not how it is usually read?
</idle musing>
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God does give us a picture of this in Romans 1:18-32. We see three times that God "hands over" or "gives over" a culture to their sin. It certainly isn't God willingly handing people over. It is the choice of the people to continually reject and turn from God.
Still we are given the good news first. In Romans 1:16-17, the Holy Spirit through Paul says:
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
There is a remedy for hardness of the heart, the good news. Still it is the choice of each to believe the good news.
Lonnie
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