Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
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 this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
Chapters 15, 16 and 17 of the book of Joshua document more of the way land was divided up amongst the tribes. Chapter 15 details the allotment for Judah while chapters 16 and 17 describe the land given to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
Through the verses in these chapters, we are told in great detail about who owned what with the boundaries carefully established, and towns and villages described.
In each of these chapters, we also are given a disturbing trend. For each tribe mentioned (Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh) failed to drive out all the Canaanites in their respective territories, instead allowing them to co-exist with them while subjecting them to forced labor.
There were two big problems with this trend:
1. 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
These words, given to Israel well before they crossed the Jordan, left little doubt as to what God expected His people to do as they inherited “the cities of the nations the Lord” was giving them. They weren’t supposed 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 with this trend.
2. 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
Israel was not only told to not allow anything to survive within the cities and lands they conquered but God told them why they were to do it. For allowing the Canaanites to live amongst them would introduce sinful behavior and actions…behavior and actions detestable to God…into the daily lives of the Israelites. It would only be a matter of time before that sin would begin to permeate, infect and invade the hearts of God’s people and bring His wrath and judgment upon them. And to think it was all avoidable…if only Israel had been obedient and followed God’s guidance.
I’m sure Israel thought that it wouldn’t hurt anything to allow some of the Canaanites to live. After all, they could always use good forced labor. But their leniency was clearly in disobedience to God’s commands and expectations…and it did indeed leave them exposed. Sin did creep into their society via the Canaanites, bringing them into God’s disfavor.
You know…we do this a lot too. In fact, we’ve not learned too much since Israel made their mistakes well more than 2,000 years ago. You would think we would have evolved a lot further but we haven’t. We still say we’re going to change a certain area in our life that needs changing but we end up failing 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…maybe you can relate to one or two of them:
“I’m going to quit smoking but let me keep my cigarettes right over here for now. And I’ll continue to go out to the smoking areas with my friends because I don’t want them to think I’m stuck up or anything. Just because they smoke doesn’t mean I have to anyways.”
“I’m going to stop drinking so let me put this bottle away in the liquor cabinet and push the leftover beers to the back of the fridge. And while I’m at the football game, I’ll only have one beer because I deserve a little treat once and awhile.”
“I’m going on a diet but let me put these potato chips and sodas in the pantry. And it’s OK to go to McDonalds once and awhile to have a burger and fries just as long as I don’t do it all the time.”
“I’m going to stop cursing but I’ll watch movies and television shows where the dialogue is laced with profanity. And I know my friends curse but that’s them and not me. I still want to hang out with them.”
The truth is that if we don’t completely get rid of the things we’re trying to rid our lives from, they will eventually come back around to tempt us and take us back where we were when we decided to change our lifestyle. The only way to truly break free is to give up what would cause us to sin completely, leaving no remnant behind.
Throw the cigarettes away in the trash away from where you live. You can’t smoke them if you don’t have them.
Get rid of any alcohol that you have in the house and the fatty snacks and sugary sodas in your pantry.
Speak up and tell ask your friends to refrain from using profanity in your presence. If they refuse, find new friends. They obviously have no respect for you.
Find other programs to watch and if you can’t find one that God would glorify in, then shut off the television. Do some research on the movies in the theater and don’t attend if there is going to be a lot of profanity and illicit sexuality.
Friends, we have a choice. We can either change all the way toward Jesus and live the way he lived…the way God wants us to live. Or we can choose to hold onto some of our sinful pleasures and find 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 works of His hands. Have you allowed Him to guide you…to strengthen you…to help you as you try and free yourself from the sin that binds you? If not, won’t you turn to Him today and recommit to believing He can pull you through to victory? The first step comes in wanting to change and change for ever. The second step is to allow God to help you change. Trust and know He will do just that. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
FOLLOWING THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY
Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
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 this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
After chapters of conflict and conquest, seeing Israel win over most of Canaan and 31
kings (Chapter 12), we start to see in Chapters 13 and 14 where the Promised Land is divided up amongst the tribes of Israel.
Chapter 13 begins by telling Joshua that there was “still very large areas of land to be taken over” after which God specifically tells Joshua what is left to be conquered. Joshua was to take care of winning over all locations mentioned but God tells Joshua that He would drive out “all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim…the Sidonians”. The Lord concluded His guidance by telling Joshua to “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”…nine and a half tribes because you’ll 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 because God had commanded it…not that He didn’t want them to enjoy a good life. Quite the contrary. As His chosen worship leaders and tabernacle servants, the Lord had placed special requirements on Israel to make sure the Levites were always taken care of. The Levites were to be given “towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds” (Joshua 14:4).
As Chapter 14 begins, we see where the Israelites were to begin dividing the land among the nine and a half tribes by lot but before this happened, we read where Joshua is approached by Caleb who comes to remind Joshua of a promise given him back when Israel had been on the brink of crossing the Jordan the first time. He tells Joshua, “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, Israel had made their exodus across the desert from Egypt to Mount Sinai and then to Kadesh Barnea, land right next to the Jordan with Canaan only a river crossing away. You’ll recall that Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, into Canaan to scout it out. And when they returned, only Joshua and Caleb brought favorable reports, telling an assembled Israel that "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, the people didn’t listen and rebelled against God. And God in return placed an edict on that generation of Israel saying, “…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) So 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.
Scripture tells us that Caleb was “eighty-five years old” and “still as strong…as the day Moses sent (him) out”…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 not just on his own but with the Lord’s help. 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. The people were unwilling to listen to him and Joshua at Kadesh Bernea but neither man bent when under challenge. They stayed committed to their Lord and in the case of Caleb, followed God wholeheartedly. In other words, he was totally and earnestly devoted, determined to not allow anything or anyone to sway his obedience and loyalty to God. And for his staunch dedication, Caleb was rewarded with a gift of Hebron…which became his inheritance from God.
We too can expect to experience all of God’s richest blessings in life if we. Like Caleb and Joshua, commit ourselves to serve and follow God wholeheartedly…that is, follow Him and Him alone with our whole heart…not just a portion of it. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21) so the only way to ensure that we are serving and following the Lord with all our heart is to make sure the Lord is the one and only treasure in our lives. Nothing or no one should ever come before Him…not now…not ever.
Question: Do you follow the Lord wholeheartedly? If your answer is no, now’s the time to make a recommitment to Him. He stands ready to receive you and manifest His richest blessings in your life in accordance with His will.
Ever keep in mind that God is 100% committed to us. Praise Him for that.
The least we can do is give Him the same commitment level in return…doing so with not just a part of our heart but the whole of it. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
http://www.faithhopeandlove.info/
Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com
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 this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
After chapters of conflict and conquest, seeing Israel win over most of Canaan and 31
kings (Chapter 12), we start to see in Chapters 13 and 14 where the Promised Land is divided up amongst the tribes of Israel.
Chapter 13 begins by telling Joshua that there was “still very large areas of land to be taken over” after which God specifically tells Joshua what is left to be conquered. Joshua was to take care of winning over all locations mentioned but God tells Joshua that He would drive out “all the inhabitants of the mountain regions from Lebanon to Misrephoth Maim…the Sidonians”. The Lord concluded His guidance by telling Joshua to “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”…nine and a half tribes because you’ll 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 because God had commanded it…not that He didn’t want them to enjoy a good life. Quite the contrary. As His chosen worship leaders and tabernacle servants, the Lord had placed special requirements on Israel to make sure the Levites were always taken care of. The Levites were to be given “towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds” (Joshua 14:4).
As Chapter 14 begins, we see where the Israelites were to begin dividing the land among the nine and a half tribes by lot but before this happened, we read where Joshua is approached by Caleb who comes to remind Joshua of a promise given him back when Israel had been on the brink of crossing the Jordan the first time. He tells Joshua, “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, Israel had made their exodus across the desert from Egypt to Mount Sinai and then to Kadesh Barnea, land right next to the Jordan with Canaan only a river crossing away. You’ll recall that Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, into Canaan to scout it out. And when they returned, only Joshua and Caleb brought favorable reports, telling an assembled Israel that "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, the people didn’t listen and rebelled against God. And God in return placed an edict on that generation of Israel saying, “…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) So 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.
Scripture tells us that Caleb was “eighty-five years old” and “still as strong…as the day Moses sent (him) out”…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 not just on his own but with the Lord’s help. 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. The people were unwilling to listen to him and Joshua at Kadesh Bernea but neither man bent when under challenge. They stayed committed to their Lord and in the case of Caleb, followed God wholeheartedly. In other words, he was totally and earnestly devoted, determined to not allow anything or anyone to sway his obedience and loyalty to God. And for his staunch dedication, Caleb was rewarded with a gift of Hebron…which became his inheritance from God.
We too can expect to experience all of God’s richest blessings in life if we. Like Caleb and Joshua, commit ourselves to serve and follow God wholeheartedly…that is, follow Him and Him alone with our whole heart…not just a portion of it. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21) so the only way to ensure that we are serving and following the Lord with all our heart is to make sure the Lord is the one and only treasure in our lives. Nothing or no one should ever come before Him…not now…not ever.
Question: Do you follow the Lord wholeheartedly? If your answer is no, now’s the time to make a recommitment to Him. He stands ready to receive you and manifest His richest blessings in your life in accordance with His will.
Ever keep in mind that God is 100% committed to us. Praise Him for that.
The least we can do is give Him the same commitment level in return…doing so with not just a part of our heart but the whole of it. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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