"And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?"

After the famous victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered an awful loss at Ai. In this portion Joshua, the leader of Israel, falls on his face before God. He is perplexed at the turn of events, not knowing the reason why. He cannot fathom what it was that caused God to apparently change His mind. All he knows is that God had proven Himself faithful to Israel the 40 plus years since they left Egypt. It is significant, though, that Joshua's ultimate concern is not for Israel. He wonders what God is going to do about His name, His reputation! All of the nations knew of God's great hand in delivering Israel out of Egypt. Rahab the harlot spoke of this to the spies that went to Jericho. What would the nations think of God if He brought Israel into the promised land only to allow them to be defeated there? What would He do about His great name?

The name we have is a precious thing. We understand that our name is enhanced or defiled by our behavior. We want our name to be one of good repute. Families who have prodigals know not only the pain of the prodigal's behavior, and the sadness and concern over the waywardness of a loved one, but also the hurt that it brings to the family name. The McCoys and Hatfields are still living down a century old reputation. According to Scripture we who are Christians are called His children. We are called by His name! There is a sense in which He has staked His reputation on us. All of the power of the universe is at our disposal for living the Christian life. He even lives in us through the Holy Spirit.

The wonderful truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is that when we sin we have forgiveness before God. Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment that is due to us for our sin. In this way, there is no wrath left for us. He bore it all. Praise the LORD! But, when we sin, what will God do unto His great name? When we sin we take the family name (i.e., God's name) into shame. We are as guilty as the prodigal who has brought shame to his family name. What will God do with regard to His name? It is interesting to note that the benefit of the cross is for all to us. We are made right in God's sight through Christ. But nothing is therein mentioned about God's name.

Well, the truth of the Scripture is that He will one day return. Upon His return two things will happen. We anticipate His coming because we know that when we see Him we will be like Him. But an even more important part of this is when He comes He will reestablish the reputation that has been tarnished. He will reign. He will be then seen by all mankind as the gracious, merciful, loving, forgiving person that He really is. All of the popular lies about who He is and how He operates will be swept away. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. His name will be cleared.

In the mean time, as temptation knocks on our door, may we consider before we fall, what will God do regarding His great name?