Highlights In Today's Reading:
In 1:3 the Lord says to Joshua: Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Now, all the Canaanite kings mobilize their armies and unite to defeat Israel. Although God had promised to give them the land, the Israelites had to fight for every foot of it. God makes it possible for us to fulfill His will but our effort is required. Read how Joshua and the Israelites are victorious and win every battle. The key to their victory is the same for us.
Joshua defeated all the Canaanites and executed their kings, but the people within each tribal territory still had to be subdued as God commanded. Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. . . . All the inhabitants . . . will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance (13:1,6).
The word lot occurs about twenty-five times in Joshua. This was not coincidental, for the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord (Prov. 16:33).
God allotted the Israelites the territory that would best meet their physical and spiritual needs. Although the land had been allotted to them, they had to exercise faith and trust the guidance from the Lord to possess the land.
Sadly, some of the tribes failed to drive out their enemies because of their lack of faith (Josh. 15:63; 17:12). Other tribes were overconfident of their ability to control the enemy. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against Me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee (Ex. 23:32-33).
God had said the idol-worshiping Canaanites were an abomination and were to be destroyed (Deut. 7:1-2). Instead, they put the Canaanites to tribute (made them pay heavy taxes); but did not utterly drive them out (Josh. 17:13).
We are to be controlled by God, obedient to His Word, and, by faith, determined that all evil "giants" of hate, lust, and selfishness within us must be destroyed. Christ will then be in control of our lives.
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Cor. 10:5).
Thought for Today:
The promises of God are more certain than the sun rising in the morning, but we often frustrate His purpose by clouds of doubt and by being disobedient to His Word.
Christ Portrayed:
By Moses the servant of the Lord (Josh. 12:6). Jesus was the Servant of God. Behold My Servant, whom I have chosen (Matt. 12:18).
Word Studies:
11:4 hosts =army; 11:5 were met together =joined forces; 11:6 hough =hamstring; 12:3 Sea of Chinneroth =Sea of Galilee; Sea of the plain, even Salt Sea =Dead Sea; 13:22 soothsayer =diviner, fortune teller.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Len Smith • Staff: George Kopchak • Country: Djibouti (447,000) in eastern Africa • Major languages: French and Arabic • Limited religious freedom • 91% Muslim; 7% Roman Catholic; .75% Eastern Orthodox; about 300 Protestants • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede in prayer for others by name (Luke 22:31-32).
Optional Reading: John 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:16