Joshua 17-19
The division of the inheritance
The Tabernacle with the Ark of the Covenant was set up in Shiloh, in the center of the Promised Land. The Ark was in Shiloh until the days of Samuel when Israel carried it to battle thinking that it would save him – it was then taken by the Philistines. The complaint of the descendants of Joseph: They felt their allotment was too small. They were proud of their association with both Joseph and Joshua. They were unwilling to deal with the obstacles preventing them from having more usable territory. There is application here for our lives. “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” Often we want more territory to possess than what God wants to give us. But we have probably not possessed the promises he has given us.
Joshua 20-21
He gives us the land
Joshua 21: 45 - There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.Point and Counterpoint: God gives them the land and decimates the opposition. They respond, but not completely. It’s Israel’s responsibility to possess the land. We often do the same – It’s the same when you think of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. He has paid the price, and it is finished. But we do not receive this reward. This is a seemingly irreconcilable fact – God is sovereign; but we are responsible.
There were six cities of refuge scattered throughout the land of Israel. God and Israel considered human life to be precious.The “avenger of blood” - These cities were designated places of refuge for those who committed unintentional murder. They appear to have gotten very little use. Jesus may be talking about this when he says ‘ an eye for eye… love your enemies” – he reverses the path of vengeance with love.
Simeon and Levi’s curse were placed by Jacob – it was their idea to punish the rapists. “Curse be to their anger; I will scatter them”. Joshua’s allotment fulfills that curse. Simeon was allotted land in the far southern corner and eventually faded into unidentifiable existence. Levi was scattered among the tribes with no land of their own, but God turned this into a blessing because they had been loyal to Jehovah while the rest of the nation had rebelled.
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” He can even turn curses into blessings.
Joshua 22
Dismissal of the tribes on the other side of Canaan
The division of the inheritance
The Tabernacle with the Ark of the Covenant was set up in Shiloh, in the center of the Promised Land. The Ark was in Shiloh until the days of Samuel when Israel carried it to battle thinking that it would save him – it was then taken by the Philistines. The complaint of the descendants of Joseph: They felt their allotment was too small. They were proud of their association with both Joseph and Joshua. They were unwilling to deal with the obstacles preventing them from having more usable territory. There is application here for our lives. “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” Often we want more territory to possess than what God wants to give us. But we have probably not possessed the promises he has given us.
Joshua 20-21
He gives us the land
Joshua 21: 45 - There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.Point and Counterpoint: God gives them the land and decimates the opposition. They respond, but not completely. It’s Israel’s responsibility to possess the land. We often do the same – It’s the same when you think of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. He has paid the price, and it is finished. But we do not receive this reward. This is a seemingly irreconcilable fact – God is sovereign; but we are responsible.
There were six cities of refuge scattered throughout the land of Israel. God and Israel considered human life to be precious.The “avenger of blood” - These cities were designated places of refuge for those who committed unintentional murder. They appear to have gotten very little use. Jesus may be talking about this when he says ‘ an eye for eye… love your enemies” – he reverses the path of vengeance with love.
Simeon and Levi’s curse were placed by Jacob – it was their idea to punish the rapists. “Curse be to their anger; I will scatter them”. Joshua’s allotment fulfills that curse. Simeon was allotted land in the far southern corner and eventually faded into unidentifiable existence. Levi was scattered among the tribes with no land of their own, but God turned this into a blessing because they had been loyal to Jehovah while the rest of the nation had rebelled.
Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” He can even turn curses into blessings.
Joshua 22
Dismissal of the tribes on the other side of Canaan
The dismissal of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh 1) They were godly people. a) They had served for 7 years in the army across the Jordan without complaining and were commended by Joshua. They built an altar on their way home to show their oneness with the other tribes.
Israel’s reaction to this altar:-
Shows they were zealous for God’s honor
Shows the ease with which misunderstandings and divisions are created in the body of Christ
Joshua’s instructions to the two and a half tribes: 1) Keep the commandments and the laws. 2) Love the Lord. 3) Walk in His ways. 4) Obey all His commands. 5) Hold fast to Him and serve Him.
Shows the ease with which misunderstandings and divisions are created in the body of Christ
Joshua’s instructions to the two and a half tribes: 1) Keep the commandments and the laws. 2) Love the Lord. 3) Walk in His ways. 4) Obey all His commands. 5) Hold fast to Him and serve Him.
In summary: Obey, Love, Serve
Joshua 23-24
We will serve the Lord
The end of the Book of Joshua sounds just like the beginning. What God said to Joshua in chapter 1 returns in chapter 23. There were three promises in chapter 1. All those elements are in chapter 23.
- - The promise of the land
- - The plan recorded in the book
- - The personal presence of God Himself
“One of you routs a thousand for the Lord your God fights for you.” (Joshua 23:10)
Joshua’s concern is the lingering presence of the other nations among them.
Joshua’s three-fold formula to safeguard against spiritual backsliding:
1) Obeying the Word of God (verse 6)
2) Separation (verse 7) - “In the world but not of the world” - "Flea ungodly lust" wrote Apostle Paul. This is one of the reasons Amish people stay in a close community - a communal withdrawal. But, one cannot influence a society by such a communal withdrawal. Maintain a personal purity, yet maintain relationship with the people God want you to reach.
3) Love your God! (verse 11)
Joshua’s stated consequences if they failed in the above three areas: (verse 13-16)
1) Defeat
2) Discomfort
3) Disgrace
Finally, Joshua renews the covenant at Shechem:
1) Not in our own power: “You are not able to serve the Lord your God” (chapter 24: verse 19).
2) Daily decision: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:18).
Psalm 78
Israel and Me
Israel and Me
It is a historical Psalm as are 105 and 106. It was written by Asaph.
There are two themes:
1) The sins of Israel
a) They refused to walk in His Law; there was a deep-rooted pattern of rebellion. (verse 10)
b) They forgot His works. (verse 11)
The importance of ancient Israel’s history for us: i. It teaches us so much about our unchanging God. ii. It strengthens our hands for present and future trials.
c) They spoke against God. (verse 19)
d) They did not trust Him. (verse 22)
e) They lied to Him. (verse 36)
f) They grieved Him. (verse 40)
g) They limited Him. (verse 41)
h) They worshiped graven images. (verse 58)
2) The grace of God demonstrated in His mighty acts of redemption
a) He divided the sea (verse 13)
b) He led them with the cloud and fire. (verse 14)
c) He gave them water from the rocks. (verse 15)
d) He rained down manna from heaven. (verse 24)
e) He was full of compassion and forgiveness. (verse 38)
f) He wrought signs for them in Egypt. (verse 43)
g) He brought them into the Promised Land. (verse 54)
h) He cast out the heathen before them. (verse 55)
i) He chose David to lead them. (verses 70-71)
j) He fed them. (verse 72)
How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! - Psalms 78: 40
