Same type of Chapter as last night - divisions of lands BUT we still need to find out why the last verse in each of the chapters leaves a peoples unconquered??? Is there an importance or not???
Chapter 15 verse 63 Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.
Chapter 16, verse 10 They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Joshua 15
Ben posted last night via text (and I have to agree): All I got out of 15 were a bunch of places. lol. It's the division of Judah by it's clans. The land that is...
One point of interest to me that is curious but I did nor research this morning is at the end of the Chapter in verse 63, "Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah." I wonder why God left this tribe in Jerusalem, did the people of Israel disobey again, did Joshua disobey or what is the lesson that is being taught?
...perhaps later today I will try to research an explanation.
One point of interest to me that is curious but I did nor research this morning is at the end of the Chapter in verse 63, "Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah." I wonder why God left this tribe in Jerusalem, did the people of Israel disobey again, did Joshua disobey or what is the lesson that is being taught?
...perhaps later today I will try to research an explanation.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Joshua 14
I found the below written by Matthew Henry. I liked the relational story that is shared between men and between men and their Holy Father. I like the trust that men of God share between one another when they know God has provided, will provide and is fully in control. I like the history that is shared, too.
As I reflect on the things that I like about the commentary below. I wonder and pray that the Christian men of today's time will have a similar trust, relationships and faith amongst men, friends, mentors and with our Holy Father.
Joshua grants his petition (v. 13): Joshua blessed him, commended his bravery, applauded his request, and gave him what he asked. He also prayed for him, and for his good success in his intended undertaking against the sons of Anak. Joshua was both a prince and a prophet, and upon both accounts it was proper for him to give Caleb his blessing, for the less is blessed of the better. Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs (v. 14), because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. And happy are we if we follow him. Note, Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favours. Now, 1. We are here told what Hebron had been, the city of Arba, a great man among the Anakim (v. 15); we find it called Kirjath-arba (Gen. 23:2), as the place where Sarah died. Hereabouts Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived most of their time in Canaan, and near to it was the cave of Machpelah, where they were buried, which perhaps had led Caleb hither when he went to spy out the land, and had made him covet this rather than any other part for his inheritance. 2. We are afterwards told what Hebron was. (1.) It was one of the cities belonging to priests (Jos. 21:13), and a city of refuge, Jos. 20:7. When Caleb had it, he contented himself with the country about it, and cheerfully gave the city to the priests, the Lord’s ministers, thinking it could not be better bestowed, no, not upon his own children, nor that it was the less his own for being thus devoted to God. (2.) It was a royal city, and, in the beginning of David’s reign, the metropolis of the kingdom of Judah; thither the people resorted to him, and there he reigned seven years. Thus highly was Caleb’s city honoured; it is a pity there should have been such a blemish upon his family long after as Nabal was, who was of the house of Caleb, 1 Sa. 25:3. But the best men cannot entail their virtues.
As I reflect on the things that I like about the commentary below. I wonder and pray that the Christian men of today's time will have a similar trust, relationships and faith amongst men, friends, mentors and with our Holy Father.
Joshua grants his petition (v. 13): Joshua blessed him, commended his bravery, applauded his request, and gave him what he asked. He also prayed for him, and for his good success in his intended undertaking against the sons of Anak. Joshua was both a prince and a prophet, and upon both accounts it was proper for him to give Caleb his blessing, for the less is blessed of the better. Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs (v. 14), because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. And happy are we if we follow him. Note, Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favours. Now, 1. We are here told what Hebron had been, the city of Arba, a great man among the Anakim (v. 15); we find it called Kirjath-arba (Gen. 23:2), as the place where Sarah died. Hereabouts Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived most of their time in Canaan, and near to it was the cave of Machpelah, where they were buried, which perhaps had led Caleb hither when he went to spy out the land, and had made him covet this rather than any other part for his inheritance. 2. We are afterwards told what Hebron was. (1.) It was one of the cities belonging to priests (Jos. 21:13), and a city of refuge, Jos. 20:7. When Caleb had it, he contented himself with the country about it, and cheerfully gave the city to the priests, the Lord’s ministers, thinking it could not be better bestowed, no, not upon his own children, nor that it was the less his own for being thus devoted to God. (2.) It was a royal city, and, in the beginning of David’s reign, the metropolis of the kingdom of Judah; thither the people resorted to him, and there he reigned seven years. Thus highly was Caleb’s city honoured; it is a pity there should have been such a blemish upon his family long after as Nabal was, who was of the house of Caleb, 1 Sa. 25:3. But the best men cannot entail their virtues.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Joshua 13
I had to read the Chapter 3-4 times over the course of flying home today from Philadelphia, but as I was swimming tonight the concept of finishing the race came to me.
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, you are very old and the are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
(Then the rest of the chapter illustrates this vast land that the Lord still has "reserved" for Israel.)
But let think about the race or better yet finishing the race... Is this not a race that all we really have to do is go and accept Christ. Actually that is the easy part. So many Christians start off with a lot of enthusiasm and power. We make great strides in our walks and then we hit the plateau and our conquest to walk with Christ weakens. We fail to continue to strive for what really awaits us in heaven. We sort of kick back in the spiritual race and try to find a place to rest upon our past successes. We love to remember the Glory days or the good ole days when we were really on fire for Christ. We forget that God wants us to live for today and tomorrow, not the past. God wants us to be current, up-to-the-moment with His Grace and power and love in our lives and thus His victory.
In other words we get complacent, perhaps content. Just like Joshua and the Israelites. They did not press onward for the full victory. Are we? We become satisfied in our spiritual walks and then complacent and then evil has an opportunity. When we become comfortable with our flesh life we are in deep dodo. Our flesh is our constant enemies in our walks. So how important does it become for us to all be searching and moving towards a full possession of what God has promised to us. How important is this? Just as with Joshua...there was much land still to be possessed. How much of a race is still in front of us? Does it fell overwhelming? Yes, if you let the flesh rule and no, if you turn the race over to God and let him lead.
One final thought, I am curious about the tribe of Levi receiving no inheritance...it's mentioned twice in the chapter, verses 14 and 33.
Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and well advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, you are very old and the are still very large areas of land to be taken over.
(Then the rest of the chapter illustrates this vast land that the Lord still has "reserved" for Israel.)
But let think about the race or better yet finishing the race... Is this not a race that all we really have to do is go and accept Christ. Actually that is the easy part. So many Christians start off with a lot of enthusiasm and power. We make great strides in our walks and then we hit the plateau and our conquest to walk with Christ weakens. We fail to continue to strive for what really awaits us in heaven. We sort of kick back in the spiritual race and try to find a place to rest upon our past successes. We love to remember the Glory days or the good ole days when we were really on fire for Christ. We forget that God wants us to live for today and tomorrow, not the past. God wants us to be current, up-to-the-moment with His Grace and power and love in our lives and thus His victory.
In other words we get complacent, perhaps content. Just like Joshua and the Israelites. They did not press onward for the full victory. Are we? We become satisfied in our spiritual walks and then complacent and then evil has an opportunity. When we become comfortable with our flesh life we are in deep dodo. Our flesh is our constant enemies in our walks. So how important does it become for us to all be searching and moving towards a full possession of what God has promised to us. How important is this? Just as with Joshua...there was much land still to be possessed. How much of a race is still in front of us? Does it fell overwhelming? Yes, if you let the flesh rule and no, if you turn the race over to God and let him lead.
One final thought, I am curious about the tribe of Levi receiving no inheritance...it's mentioned twice in the chapter, verses 14 and 33.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Joshua 12
Joshua 12
Take the night off. It's a list of the defeated kings and their deflated lands geographically recalled.
Take the night off. It's a list of the defeated kings and their deflated lands geographically recalled.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Joshua 11
This was actually my first post for Joshua 11...thought it was lost but now obviously found.
Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time. Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Joshua 11:18-20 NIV)
The hardening of hearts by God is curious to me when I first read the verses above. Why would our God do this? But after a bit of time it came to me that this is no different than what we have been studying in Radical. Not directly to untouched or the unspoken to people's of the world but what of those that refuse to listen and accept God, his people and Christ our Lord once they have heard the Word.
Imagine God giving up on you and hardening your heart against Him. He has made the decision that you are cast out of Heaven for you. All of your get out of free jail cards are used and there is no more Grace. Ultimately you have chosen destruction and hell over salvation and heaven.
This is the very answer to why we must stay in a daily prayer practice, walking out our lives Christ-like, and always knowing that as long as we ask Jesus will stand next to us in all we do everyday. There is a hell...don't be the one that God decides to harden your heart thus ultimately placing you there.
Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time. Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Joshua 11:18-20 NIV)
The hardening of hearts by God is curious to me when I first read the verses above. Why would our God do this? But after a bit of time it came to me that this is no different than what we have been studying in Radical. Not directly to untouched or the unspoken to people's of the world but what of those that refuse to listen and accept God, his people and Christ our Lord once they have heard the Word.
Imagine God giving up on you and hardening your heart against Him. He has made the decision that you are cast out of Heaven for you. All of your get out of free jail cards are used and there is no more Grace. Ultimately you have chosen destruction and hell over salvation and heaven.
This is the very answer to why we must stay in a daily prayer practice, walking out our lives Christ-like, and always knowing that as long as we ask Jesus will stand next to us in all we do everyday. There is a hell...don't be the one that God decides to harden your heart thus ultimately placing you there.
Joshua 11
Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time. Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Joshua 11:18-20 NIV)
The hardening of hearts by God is curious to me when I first read the verses above. Why would our God do this? But after a bit of time it came to me that this is no different than what we have been studying in Radical. Not directly to untouched or the unspoken to people's of the world but what of those that refuse to listen and accept God, his people and Christ our Lord once they have heard the Word.
Imagine God giving up on you and hardening your heart against Him. He has made the decision that you are cast out of Heaven for you. All of your get out of free jail cards are used and there is no more Grace. Ultimately you have chosen destruction and hell over salvation and heaven.
This is the very answer to why we must stay in a daily prayer practice, walking out our lives Christ-like, and always knowing that as long as we ask Jesus will stand next to us in all we do everyday. There is a hell...don't be the one that God decides to harden your heart thus ultimately placing you there.
The hardening of hearts by God is curious to me when I first read the verses above. Why would our God do this? But after a bit of time it came to me that this is no different than what we have been studying in Radical. Not directly to untouched or the unspoken to people's of the world but what of those that refuse to listen and accept God, his people and Christ our Lord once they have heard the Word.
Imagine God giving up on you and hardening your heart against Him. He has made the decision that you are cast out of Heaven for you. All of your get out of free jail cards are used and there is no more Grace. Ultimately you have chosen destruction and hell over salvation and heaven.
This is the very answer to why we must stay in a daily prayer practice, walking out our lives Christ-like, and always knowing that as long as we ask Jesus will stand next to us in all we do everyday. There is a hell...don't be the one that God decides to harden your heart thus ultimately placing you there.
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