The Assignment of the Levitical Cities (Josh. 21:1-45)

10/30/2009 11:39 AM

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                    Focus:  The assignment of the Levitical cities

Bible Reading & Meditation               Reference:  Joshua 21:1-45

            Message of the verses:  Since the length of chapter twenty-one is so long I have decided not to copy and past it into this SD. 

            This is the last section in Warren Wiersbe’s tenth chapter of his commentary on Joshua:  “Be Strong,” and it has covered a very big part of the book of Joshua, but a very important part, because in these nine chapters the promises of God to Abraham and the rest of Israel have been fulfilled.  (I must say that there is still more to be fulfilled in the covenant that God made with Abraham, and it will be fulfilled in the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth after the tribulation period has been completed.)

            Here is the portion that I want to go over is some detail for the SD:  “43 ¶  So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they conquered it and settled there. 44  And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies. 45  All of the good promises that the LORD had given Israel came true.”  This section at the end of chapter twenty shows three things:  “First, God was faithful and gave Israel the land (Joshua 20:43).  He kept the covenant that He made, first with Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and then with his descendants. 

            “Second, God gave Israel victory over all their enemies and then gave them the rest from war (Joshua 20:44); see 1:13, 15. 11:23 ‘13  "Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, ‘The LORD your God gives you rest and will give you this land.’  15  until the LORD gives your brothers rest, as He gives you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them. Then you shall return to your own land, and possess that which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’  23  So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.’  What the ten unbelieving spies at Kadesh Barnea said could never happen did happen, because Joshua and the people believed God and obeyed His Word.

            “Third, God kept His promises (20:45).  At the close of his life Joshua would remind the people of this (23:14); and Solomon reminded them of it whe he dedicated the temple (1 Kings 8:56).”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  “The covenant of God, the power of God, the promises of God—these are the spiritual resources we can depend on as we claim our inheritance in Jesus Christ.”  (Be Strong)

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1. Give myself to the Lord for worship and service, and take of the old and put on the new in order to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
2. Continue to learn contentment.

10/30/2009 12:08 PM