THE DANGER IN NOT GETTING RID OF WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO GET RID OF

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

The allotment for the tribe of Judah, clan by clan, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south.

Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Salt Sea, crossed south of Scorpion Pass, continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka. It then passed along to Azmon and joined the Wadi of Egypt, ending at the sea. This is their southern boundary.

The eastern boundary is the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

The northern boundary started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, went up to Beth Hoglah and continued north of Beth Arabah to the Stone of Bohan, son of Reuben. The boundary then went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor and turned north to Gilgal, which faces the Pass of Adummim south of the gorge. It continued along to the waters of En Shemesh and came out at En Rogel. Then it ran up the Valley of Ben Hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem). From there it climbed to the top of the hill west of the Hinnom Valley at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. From the hilltop the boundary headed toward the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, came out at the towns of Mount Ephron and went down toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim). Then it curved westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Kesalon), continued down to Beth Shemesh and crossed to Timnah. It went to the northern slope of Ekron, turned toward Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah and reached Jabneel. The boundary ended at the sea.

The western boundary is the coastline of the Great Sea.

These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans.

In accordance with the Lord's command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) From Hebron, Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai—descendants of Anak. From there, he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). And Caleb said, "I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher." Othniel, son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage.

One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?"

She replied, "Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, clan by clan:

The southernmost towns of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the boundary of Edom were:

Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor), Amam, Shema, Moladah, Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, Baalah, Iim, Ezem, Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon—a total of twenty-nine towns and their villages.

In the western foothills:

Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah, Shaaraim, Adithaim, and Gederah (or Gederothaim) — fourteen towns and their villages.

Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, Cabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah—sixteen towns and their villages.

Libnah, Ether, Ashan, Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, Keilah, Aczib, and Mareshah—nine towns and their villages.

Ekron, with its surrounding settlements and villages; west of Ekron, all that were in the vicinity of Ashdod, together with their villages; Ashdod, its surrounding settlements and villages; and Gaza, its settlements and villages, as far as the Wadi of Egypt and the coastline of the Great Sea.

In the hill country:

Shamir, Jattir, Socoh, Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir), Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, Goshen, Holon, and Giloh—eleven towns and their villages.

Arab, Dumah, Eshan, Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior—nine towns and their villages.

Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah—ten towns and their villages.

Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, Maarath, Beth Anoth, and Eltekon—six towns and their villages.

Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim) and Rabbah—two towns and their villages.

In the desert:

Beth Arabah, Middin, Secacah, Nibshan, the City of Salt, and En Gedi—six towns and their villages.

Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day, the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.

The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan of Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel. It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz), crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth, descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the sea.

So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.

This was the territory of Ephraim, clan by clan:

The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon and continued to the sea. From Micmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east. Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan. From Tappuah, the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, clan by clan. It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites.

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.

This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph's firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh's firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh, son of Joseph, by their clans.

Now Zelophehad, son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and the leaders and said, "The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord's command. Manasseh's share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh.

The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Micmethath, east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the sea. On the south, the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.

Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam, and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach, and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth).

Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the Lord has blessed us abundantly."

"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."

The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."

But Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh – “You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out."

Joshua 15, 16 and 17

This ends our reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In chapters 15, 16, and 17 of the Book of Joshua, we find the scriptures providing additional information regarding the way land was divided up amongst the tribes of Israel. Chapter 15 details the allotment for Judah while chapters 16 and 17 describe the land given to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh and through the verses found in these chapters, we gain great detail about who owned, including the carefully established boundaries and the towns and villages within.

In each of these chapters, we also are find a disturbing commonality for each tribe mentioned (Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh) failed to drive out all the Canaanites in their respective territories, instead co-existing with them while subjecting them to forced labor.

This created two big problems:

First of all, it went against what God had commanded.

“However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes. Completely destroy them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you.” Deuteronomy 20:16-17

Here we find the Israelites receiving clear direction well before they crossed the Jordan River and there was left little doubt as to what God expected His people to do as they inherited “the cities of the nations” He was giving them. The people of Israel wasn’t permitted to “leave alive anything that breathes” and were to “completely destroy” but that’s not what they did and this led to the second problem:

It left Israel vulnerable to sin and temptation.

“Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 20:18

Here we see that the people of Israel told why they were to eliminate any and all people within the cities and lands because if any of the Canaanites were allowed to live among them, they would infect the Israelites with their sinful behavior and actions, behavior and actions that were detestable to God. And of course, this would lead to the Lord sending His wrath and judgment upon them.

And so the future issues that Israel would experience because of their disobedience were completely avoidable. I’m sure they thought they were doing the right thing at the time. After all, they could always use good forced labor but as we always see, things don’t work out when any person chooses to do what they think is right while disregarding God’s commands and expectations. In the case of the Israelites, the Canaanites did introduce their sinfulness into their culture and usher them into God’s disfavor as a result.

You know, if we think about it, we unfortunately do this a lot too. In fact, it seems at times that we haven’t learned much at all since the ancient people of Israel made their mistakes around 3,400 years ago. Too often, we say we’re going to correct a certain area in our life that needs changing but we end up failing and falling because we’re reluctant to fully surrender what’s causing us to sin and live outside of God’s expectations.

Here’s a few scenarios to illustrate this:

“I’m going to quit smoking but I’ll keep my cigarettes right over here for now. I also don’t think it will be a problem to go out to the designated smoking areas to still socialize with my friends. Just because they smoke doesn’t mean I have to.”

“I’m done drinking so I’m going to take this bottle of whiskey off the table and put it back in the liquor cabinet. As for the beers in the fridge, I’ll just push them to the back because you never know when a friend might drop in. And while I’m at the football game tomorrow, I think I can have one beer because I deserve a little treat once and awhile. One can’t hurt anything, right?”

“This time, I am not going to fail to keep my diet. In fact, the potato chips and sodas are going into the pantry. As for going out to eat, I think it will be fine to stop at McDonalds once and awhile to order a Big Mac and fries just as long as I don’t do it all the time.”

Finally…

“I’m going clean up the way I talk and stop cursing but I don’t see a problem with still watching movies and television shows with profanity. And I know my friends use foul language that’s them and not me. I still want to hang out with them.”

The common thread between all these is that each person is unwilling to completely get rid of the things they are trying to rid their lives from, leaving room for those things to eventually come back around to tempt us and take us back to where we were before we decided to change our lifestyle. If we really want to change, we need to fully give up what would cause us to do what we don’t want to do, leaving no remnant behind.

In regard to the smoker, this means throwing their cigarettes away for you can’t smoke what you don’t have.

As for the drinker and dieter, they need to get rid of any alcohol and fatty snacks and sugary sodas respectively.

As for cleaning up language, it would be important to ask the friends to refrain from using profanity in your presence. If they refuse, find new friends because they obviously have no respect for you.

Finally, find other programs to watch, preferably ones that honor and glorify the Lord. If there are none on, then be willing to just turn off the television. Identifying proper programming on shows or movies might require doing some research but it would be well worth it to support the changes you are trying to make.

Friends, the main point in all this is that we have a choice.

We can either decide to go all in with changing, committing ourselves to live as Jesus did…the way God wants us to live, or we can choose to hold onto some of our sinful pleasures or at least keep them available to engage in again, finding ourselves never quite able to overcome them.

Ultimately, God is watching us…watching to see what we do. He’s also waiting to step in and help anytime we need it…because there is nothing beyond the work of His hands and this includes helping us get rid of sinful/harmful behavior.

The first step comes in wanting to change and change forever. The second one is to allow God to help you change.

If you do this, know and trust He will help you become the person He wants you to be.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

FOLLOWING THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY

Can I pray for you in any way?

Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

In Christ, Mark

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** Follow The Christian Walk on Twitter @ThChristianWalk

** Like posts and send friend requests to the author of The Christian Walk, Mark Cummings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mark.cummings.733?ref=tn_tnmn

** Become a Follower of The Christian Walk at http://the-christian-walk.blogspot.com

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

These are the kings of the land whom the Israelites had defeated and whose territory they took over east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon, including all the eastern side of the Arabah:

Sihon, king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge—from the middle of the gorge—to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites. This included half of Gilead. He also ruled over the eastern Arabah from the Sea of Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea), to Beth Jeshimoth, and then southward below the slopes of Pisgah.

And the territory of Og, king of Bashan, one of the last of the Rephaites, who reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei. He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all of Bashan to the border of the people of Geshur and Maacah, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon, king of Heshbon.

Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the Israelites conquered them. And Moses the servant of the Lord gave their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to be their possession.

These are the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir (their lands Joshua gave as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions - the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the desert, and the Negev—the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites): the king of Jericho one, the king of Ai (near Bethel) one, the king of Jerusalem one, the king of Hebron one, the king of Jarmuth one, the king of Lachish one, the king of Eglon one, the king of Gezer one, the king of Debir one, the king of Geder one, the king of Hormah one, the king of Arad one, the king of Libnah one, the king of Adullam one, the king of Makkedah one, the king of Bethel one, the king of Tappuah one, the king of Hepher one, the king of Aphek one, the king of Lasharon one, the king of Madon one, the king of Hazor one, the king of Shimron Meron one, the king of Acshaph one, the king of Taanach one, the king of Megiddo one, the king of Kedesh one, the king of Jokneam in Carmel one, the king of Dor (in Naphoth Dor) one, the king of Goyim in Gilgal one, the king of Tirzah one, thirty-one kings in all.

When Joshua was old and well advanced in years, the Lord said to him, "You are very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.”

"This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites: from the Shihor River on the east of Egypt to the territory of Ekron on the north, all of it counted as Canaanite (the territory of the five Philistine rulers in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron—that of the Avvites from the south, all the land of the Canaanites, from Arah of the Sidonians as far as Aphek, the region of the Amorites, the area of the Gebalites; and all Lebanon to the east, from Baal Gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo Hamath.”

"As for all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim, that is, all the Sidonians, I myself will drive them out before the Israelites. Be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have instructed you, and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh."

The other half of Manasseh, the Reubenites, and the Gadites had received the inheritance that Moses had given them east of the Jordan, as he, the servant of the Lord, had assigned it to them. It extended from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and included the whole plateau of Medeba as far as Dibon, and all the towns of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon, out to the border of the Ammonites. It also included Gilead, the territory of the people of Geshur and Maacah, all of Mount Hermon and all Bashan as far as Salecah - that is, the whole kingdom of Og in Bashan, who had reigned in Ashtaroth and Edrei and had survived as one of the last of the Rephaites. Moses had defeated them and taken over their land. But the Israelites did not drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, so they continue to live among the Israelites to this day. But to the tribe of Levi, he gave no inheritance, since the offerings made by fire to the Lord, the God of Israel, are their inheritance, as He promised them.

This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Reuben, clan by clan:

The territory from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the middle of the gorge, and the whole plateau past Medeba to Heshbon and all its towns on the plateau, including Dibon, Bamoth Baal, Beth Baal Meon, Jahaz, Kedemoth, Mephaath, Kiriathaim, Sibmah, Zereth Shahar on the hill in the valley, Beth Peor, the slopes of Pisgah, and Beth Jeshimoth—all the towns on the plateau and the entire realm of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who ruled at Heshbon. Moses had defeated him and the Midianite chiefs, Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba—princes allied with Sihon—who lived in that country. In addition to those slain in battle, the Israelites had put to the sword Balaam, son of Beor, who practiced divination. The boundary of the Reubenites was the bank of the Jordan. These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Reubenites, clan by clan.

This is what Moses had given to the tribe of Gad, clan by clan:

The territory of Jazer, all the towns of Gilead and half the Ammonite country as far as Aroer, near Rabbah; and from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territory of Debir; and in the valley, Beth Haram, Beth Nimrah, Succoth and Zaphon with the rest of the realm of Sihon, king of Heshbon (the east side of the Jordan, the territory up to the end of the Sea of Kinnereth). These towns and their villages were the inheritance of the Gadites, clan by clan.

This is what Moses had given to the half-tribe of Manasseh, that is, to half the family of the descendants of Manasseh, clan by clan:

The territory extending from Mahanaim and including all of Bashan, the entire realm of Og, king of Bashan—all the settlements of Jair in Bashan, sixty towns, half of Gilead, and Ashtaroth and Edrei (the royal cities of Og in Bashan). This was for the descendants of Makir, son of Manasseh—for half of the sons of Makir, clan by clan.

This is the inheritance Moses had given when he was in the plains of Moab across the Jordan, east of Jericho. But to the tribe of Levi, Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as He promised them.

Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them. Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. Moses had granted the two-and-a-half tribes their inheritance east of the Jordan but had not granted the Levites an inheritance among the rest, for the sons of Joseph had become two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds. So the Israelites divided the land, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.'”

"Now then, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time He said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

Then Joshua blessed Caleb, son of Jephunneh, and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb, son of Jephunneh, the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)

Then the land had rest from war.

Joshua 12, 13, and 14

This ends our reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

After seeing chapters detailing conflict and conquest over most of Canaan and thirty-one kings in the first twelve chapters of the Book of Jericho, we start to see where the gained land was divided up among the tribes of Israel in chapters 13 and 14.

Chapter 13 begins with the Lord telling Joshua that there was “still very large areas of land to be taken over” before specifically sharing what is yet to be conquered. We read where Joshua was to take care of winning over all locations mentioned but in support of this, we find the Lord assuring Israel’s leader that He Himself would drive out “all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim…the Sidonians”.

God concludes the guidance to Joshua by demanding that he was to “be sure to allocate this land to Israel for an inheritance, as (He had) instructed”…dividing it “as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh”.

Why nine-and-a-half tribes?

You may recall that the Lord had given a portion of the land east of the Jordan to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Manasseh. In fact, the remainder of chapter 13 details the land division between these three groups. Of special note is the reference to Moses because the land was promised to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh under his leadership.

You’ll also see where the Levites weren’t rewarded their own portion of land because God had commanded it. It wasn’t that He didn’t want the priests to enjoy a good life; rather, because the Levites were set apart as the chosen worship leaders and tabernacle servants of Israel, God placed special requirements on His people to make sure the Levites were always taken care of. They were to be given “towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds” (Joshua 14:4).

As we move to chapter 14, we see where the Israelites were to begin dividing the land among the remaining nine-and-a-half tribes by lot but before this happened, we read where Joshua was approached by Caleb who reminded Israel’s leader of a promise that the Lord had given him back when Israel had been on the brink of crossing the Jordan River the first time. Caleb says this:

“You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.'”

Forty-five years prior to these words, you’ll remember how the Israelites had made their exodus across the desert from Egypt to Mount Sinai and then to Kadesh Barnea, the land right next to the Jordan River with Canaan lying on the other side. There, we know that Moses sent out twelve spies into Canaan to scout the territory, one spy for each Israelite tribe. When they returned, only Joshua and Caleb brought favorable reports, saying this to their assembled brothers and sisters:

"The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." Numbers 14:8-9

Well, as we know, the people of Israel chose to listen to the negative report from the other ten spies and, in doing so, rebelled against God. This obviously didn’t sit well with the Lord who said this to His people:

“…as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times - not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated Me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it”. Numbers 14:21-24

And so we know God had made a promise to Caleb who was now asking for what he saw as rightfully his as the land was about to be divided amongst the Israelites. The scriptures tell us that he (Caleb) was “eighty-five years old” and “still as strong…as the day Moses sent (him) out (and as) “vigorous to go out to battle” as he was before. So he asked for the hill country and vowed to drive out any remnant of Anakites remaining there, not solely by his own strength but more so because He knew the Lord would be with him. And so “Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as his inheritance”…all because he had “followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly”.

Through Caleb, we see the importance of standing firm on the truth even in the midst of opposition. At the point of trying to cross into Canaan the first time, the Israelites weren’t willing to him and Joshua at Kadesh Bernea but neither man compromised their convictions at that time while under challenge. Rather, they both stayed committed to their Lord and in the case of Caleb, followed God wholeheartedly. In other words, he was totally and earnestly devoted to his Lord, determined to not allow anything or anyone to sway his obedience and loyalty. This eventually led to him being rewarded and blessed, receiving the gift of Hebron…which became his inheritance from God.

Friends, we too can expect to experience all of God’s richest blessings in life if we commit ourselves to serve and follow God wholeheartedly, like Caleb and Joshua did. This means dedicating all that we are to the Lord, not just in part. Our Savior Jesus said this during His infamous Sermon on the Mount…“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21)...and through His words, we see that the only way we can serve our God wholeheartedly is if we make Him the one and only treasure in our lives. This means that nothing or no one should ever come before Him in life, not now…not ever.

In response to this message, we should self-examine to see if we are truly giving our whole heart to the Lord who gives His totally to us. He has been, is, and will always be 100% committed to us. The least we can do is give Him level of dedication and devotion back to Him in return.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.

A GOD OF ASSURANCES

Can I pray for you in any way?

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah, he said, "Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it. But don't stop! Pursue your enemies, attack them from the rear and don't let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand."

So Joshua and the Israelites destroyed them completely—almost to a man—but the few who were left reached their fortified cities. The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites.

Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me." So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.

Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight." Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung them on five trees, and they were left hanging on the trees until evening.

At sunset, Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave, they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.

That day Joshua took Makkedah. He put the city and its king to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it. He left no survivors. And he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.

Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Makkedah to Libnah and attacked it. The Lord also gave that city and its king into Israel's hand. The city and everyone in it Joshua put to the sword. He left no survivors there. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.

Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Libnah to Lachish; he took up positions against it and attacked it. The Lord handed Lachish over to Israel, and Joshua took it on the second day. The city and everyone in it he put to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah. Meanwhile, Horam king of Gezer had come up to help Lachish, but Joshua defeated him and his army—until no survivors were left.

Then Joshua and all Israel with him moved on from Lachish to Eglon; they took up positions against it and attacked it. They captured it that same day and put it to the sword and totally destroyed everyone in it, just as they had done to Lachish.

Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron and attacked it. They took the city and put it to the sword, together with its king, its villages and everyone in it. They left no survivors. Just as at Eglon, they totally destroyed it and everyone in it.

Then Joshua and all Israel with him turned around and attacked Debir. They took the city, its king and its villages, and put them to the sword. Everyone in it they totally destroyed. They left no survivors. They did to Debir and its king as they had done to Libnah and its king and to Hebron.

So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded. Joshua subdued them from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza and from the whole region of Goshen to Gibeon. All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.

When Jabin, king of Hazor, heard of this, he sent word to Jobab, king of Madon, to the kings of Shimron and Acshaph, and to the northern kings who were in the mountains, in the Arabah south of Kinnereth, in the western foothills and in Naphoth Dor on the west; to the Canaanites in the east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites below Hermon in the region of Mizpah. They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. All these kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots."

So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel. They defeated them and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon, to Misrephoth Maim, and to the Valley of Mizpah on the east, until no survivors were left. Joshua did to them as the Lord had directed: He hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.

At that time, Joshua turned back and captured Hazor and put its king to the sword. (Hazor had been the head of all these kingdoms.) Everyone in it they put to the sword. They totally destroyed them, not sparing anything that breathed, and he burned up Hazor itself.

Joshua took all these royal cities and their kings and put them to the sword. He totally destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded. Yet Israel did not burn any of the cities built on their mounds—except Hazor, which Joshua burned. The Israelites carried off for themselves all the plunder and livestock of these cities, but all the people they put to the sword until they completely destroyed them, not sparing anyone that breathed. As the Lord commanded his servant Moses, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.

So Joshua took this entire land: the hill country, all the Negev, the whole region of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah, and the mountains of Israel with their foothills, from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death. 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.

At that time, Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir, and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns. No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive. So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions.

Then the land had rest from war.

Joshua 10:16-43, 11

This ends our reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

When Israel entered Canaan, they had direct orders from God to conquer all nations currently residing in the land He had promised to give them as an inheritance. In response to this, we have seen where Joshua and Israel have already defeated the nations located in the central part of Canaan, gaining victory over Jericho and Ai. We have also seen where they triumphed over a combined army from the south, organized by Jerusalem’s king, Adoni-Zedek, who had attacked the Gibeonites.

Well, as chapter 10 closes, we find Joshua executing the five kings from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon who had joined forces against the people of Gibeon. He then turned his attention to the southern part of Canaan, winning battles over the cities of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir. Indeed, the scriptures tell us that “Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings”, leaving “no survivors (while)…totally destroy(ing) all who breathed, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded”. Israel’s leader “subdued them from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza and from the whole region of Goshen to Gibeon” and “all these kings and their lands (were) conquered in one campaign, because the Lord, the God of Israel, fought for Israel”. And after the southern conquest, “Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal”.

All this shows us how Joshua and the Israelites were on a roll…all because of the help of God. Indeed, anyone who would dare come to oppose them with the goal of stopping God’s plan to be carried out would be stopped for He had assured His people that He would be with them, delivering al foes into their hands.

And as He always does, God made good on His word.

As Joshua, chapter 11 opens, we find “Jabin, king of Hazor”, hearing about what had transpired in the central and southern regions of Canaan and this prompted him to send word to “Jobab, king of Madon, to the kings of Shimron and Acshaph, and to the northern kings who were in the mountains, in the Arabah south of Kinnereth, in the western foothills and in Naphoth Dor on the west; to the Canaanites in the east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites below Hermon in the region of Mizpah”. Just as the south had tried to do, the northern kings chose to combine forces, coming out with “all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore”. All these kings and their forces met at the “Waters of Merom” where they “made camp together…to fight against Israel”.

So we see where another fight with a different foe was on the horizon for the people of Israel but one thing remained the same for the Lord would be with His people. We find Him saying this to Joshua:

“Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots."

With this, the scriptures tell us that “Joshua and his whole army” attacked the northern enemy forces “suddenly at the Waters of Merom…and the Lord gave them into the hand of Israel” who in turn defeated their opponents, ensuring “no survivors were left” while Joshua “hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots” as “the Lord had directed”.

When the dust settled, Joshua did in the north as he had done in the south, systematically conquering cities while taking control of what God had given to his hand in victory. He began with Hazor, putting its “king to the sword” as well as everyone else there. The city was “totally destroyed…not sparing anything that breathed” before being burned to the ground.

Joshua followed this by taking “all…royal cities and their kings” putting them to the sword and totally destroying them. The only thing done differently than Hazor was that the Israelites didn’t “burn any of the cities built on their mounds” but they did carry off “all the plunder and livestock of (the) cities” before putting all the people to the sword, “not sparing anyone that breathed”.

In doing all this, Joshua “left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses”.

So to recap what Joshua did in the north, he “took…the hill country, all the Negev, the whole region of Goshen, the western foothills, the Arabah and the mountains of Israel with their foothills, from Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir, to Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon”. He also “destroyed the Anakites from the hill country: from Hebron, Debir, and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel…leaving “no Anakites…in Israelite territory”. Joshua “captured all their kings…putting them to death” and no treaty was made with anyone, except the Gibeonites who had done so prior. As for survivors, they were only found in “Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod”.

When all was said and done, “Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions” (more to come on this in later chapters) and then “the land had rest from war”.

Looking at everything has happened so far in this book through the first eleven chapters, we can’t help but be amazed. For the people of Israel went from being desert wanderers to fierce-fighting, victorious warriors who rarely lost momentum after crossing the Jordan to claim the land that God had given them. At this point, they had successfully conquered most of the land and were now poised to enjoy the spoils of their victory as the land would be divided up amongst the tribes. Additionally, and most importantly, we read where the land (Canaan) could finally rest from war.

From this passage and Israel’s victory over Canaan as a whole, there are three key takeaways we should embrace and remember as we set out to do God’s will each and every day.

First, God always keeps His promises.

Rest assured that if God has said through His Word that He would do something for us, then He will do it. He doesn’t lie or deceive for these are sinful actions and there is nothing about our Lord that is sinful. He is a Lord of truth and a Man of His word, something we would be well served to never forget.

Secondly, God delivers us from our enemies.

As we go through life, rest assured that there will be people who will choose to come against us in some way. For our enemy Satan is ever trying to get at every servant of God any way he can and will do this sometimes through other people, people who appear on the surface to be friends when underneath they are anything but that.

Maybe you can relate to having been fooled by someone you considered to be a friend only to find out otherwise. The good news is that God will always expose anyone who is trying to do us harm if we open ourselves up to Him. For everything done in the dark will be exposed and brought to light, illuminated by the One who is truth and wants us to not only be truthful but experience truth ourselves.

With this, we need to always turn to the Lord and seek His guidance in all matters, including all relationships we’re in. For He will clearly warn us when an enemy is at work and help you gain victory over our opposition.

Finally, our God is always with us.

Joshua and Israel went forward with a sure confidence because they knew and saw how God was with them. He told them so and then made good on His promises because He always perfectly keeps them.

This same truth is present with us today because He is with and for all those who have placed their hope, faith, and trust in Him. He doesn’t leave or forsake us, and no one can stand against us when He is on our side, just as it was with the ancient people of Israel.

Friends, our Lord has given us an awesome, blessed assurance in life…an assurance that liberates and sets us free to boldly and confidently go forth in His service so to accomplish His will. Whether in Old Testament times or here in the twenty-first century, God is always loyal and perfectly faithful in keeping His Word and ever stands ready to deliver us from our enemies. He has been, is, and always be a God of assurances.

Let us always be in a spirit of thanksgiving, praise, and rejoicing for these truths.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.