Joshua – Page 3 – Be Still…

Joshua 17:1-18 – We Always Want More

dog looking at a piece of food with wishful eyes

I got out my pen and paper to try and map out the relations of Joseph mentioned in this reading. I’m afraid that didn’t really help. I even turned to a commentary and decided that rather than get caught up in these details, I would look for the message to me. That’s always a good thing when we read God’s Word. If something doesn’t make sense, and the Spirit isn’t opening up any sort of revelation, pray for the message.

The message I’m taking away today is be twofold. Be careful what you ask God for and be grateful to God for what he gives you. I’m curious what spoke to you today? Let me explain what I am reflecting on today.

Joshua 16:1-10 – Split in Two

Read Joshua 16:1-10

Growing up, I always thought my brother was the favorite child. It seemed I always got in trouble, and he didn’t. Years later, he shared with me how he always learned from my mistakes and was better at not getting caught! You might remember the story of Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph. His brothers were extremely jealous of how their father favored Joseph.

As that story played out, we know that Joseph went on to be great in the land of Egypt. Eventually, it was Joseph who saved his family from a severe famine that was killing many. I suppose we could speculate that is why his descendants are now getting a double portion of land. God wanted to reward Joseph in this way.

Joshua 15:1-63 – Judah’s Portion

Read Joshua 15:1-63

Now that was a longer reading than normal. If you’re like me, you got a bit lost in all of the directions and names of the towns. When you’re not familiar with an area, it’s hard to visualize what it looks like. While this whole chapter speaks to Judah’s clan and their inheritance, I did find a MAP showing the 12 tribes. Hopefully that will help you, too (just click).

Judah does get a big portion of land. And, of course, our last reading introduced Caleb as one of the “heros” who came back with a favorable report to Moses years ago. I thought it only fitting that he gets a nod here. We hear a little more of his story, too, amidst all the assignments. Is there a message for us in this nugget of history?

Joshua 14:1-15 – Meet Caleb

Read Joshua 14:1-15

Lest we forget Caleb, he is remembered here along with his inheritance. You may recall that Moses sent Caleb, Joshua, and a number of other spies into the promised land years before. Joshua and Caleb were the ones who came back with positive reports. Caleb had not forgotten that rewards for his deeds had been promised.

“Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old.” Caleb was coming forward to make sure he wasn’t forgotten. After all, many years had passed. Caleb was obviously waiting for this moment.

Joshua 13:14-33 – What Would Moses Do?

Read Joshua 13:14-33

I’m sure there were plenty of time when Joshua wondered, “what would Moses do? We can’t forget that God had already directed Moses on the land distribution plan for the tribes. When we remember what those who have gone before us have done, it can help us in finding our own way. In this case, however, God is the one in control. Joshua has clearly kept that in mind as he has waited for this moment. Now we’re starting with what we know. We know what Moses had already done.

There are really no surprises here. In the closing chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses received these messages from God. They are now being fulfilled. Of all the descendants, I often wonder what the Levites thought about not getting their own portion. But then my mind quickly shifts to the fact that God has chosen them for another, very important role—to be priests. I know from experience that priests and pastors live a little more humbly than others. There’s Biblical history for why that happens, along with the promise of other provisions, and to me that is comforting.