Joshua 12:7-15:19
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Interesting – Joshua is an old man already here in chapter 13! Time is flying quite a bit faster in this book than our past readings about the life of Moses…. It’s estimated that Joshua is between 90 and 100 years old in chapter 13 and Caleb is 85 years old. In chapter 14 verse 12 we read these words from Caleb to Joshua: “So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me.” Below is a good image of the hill country of Judah that Caleb sought and received, courtesy of HolyLandPhotos.org:
In Joshua chapter 14 verses 1 & 2 today we read: “The remaining tribes of Israel inherited land in Canaan as allotted by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the tribal leaders. These nine and a half tribes received their inheritance by means of sacred lots, in accordance with the LORD’s command through Moses.”
It is interesting to read about the allotment of land to the tribe of Judah today! It reminds me of how different these days are for the Israelites, compared to the 40 years of wandering in the desert – or the slavery in Egypt prior to that. Times have changed! God’s Promise is being fulfilled. I think this is important for us to remember in our lives as well. Maybe we’re in a “slavery” period in our own life where we are looking for a Savior to free us. Jesus is of course that Savior to free us from our slavery to sin. Or, maybe we’re in a desert period of our lives. We’ve decided to follow Jesus, but maybe we’re really trudging through some hard times. If we’re in this type of period, hopefully we can be encouraged by knowing that God’s Promises to us will not fail. God will bring us peace that surpasses all understanding. God will bring us to the true Promised Land for eternity. Let us be encouraged in our own lives by our past few months of readings about the Israelites and their journey from slavery to now the Promised Land. God’s Promises will not fail. They are eternal. And they are the only thing in this passing world that is eternal.
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Joshua about the allotment of land reminded me of Michael W. Smith’s classic 1992 song “Place in this World:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpXMnY_t03M
Do you know your place in this world? Click here for your destination!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “When Joshua had grown old, the LORD said to him, “You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.” Joshua 13:1 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray earnestly that God will have Kingdom work for you to do when you have grown old. Pray that you’ll do it.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
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