Bible Pathway - Mar. 19, 2011
Read Joshua 17:1
Highlights:
The promised land is under the control of the Israelites; the Tabernacle is set up in a central location at Shiloh near Joshua's small inheritance. The land is divided among all the tribes by lot, but some tribes fail to claim their territory.
The seven-year conquest of Canaan was added to the forty long years of wandering in the wilderness before Israel could erect the Tabernacle in the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes (Deut.12:5). The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the Tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them (Josh. 18:1). How satisfying it must have been to set up the Tabernacle in Shiloh whose name signified rest!
In a very real sense, Canaan was not won until the Ark was established in Shiloh, for only then do we read that added phrase and the land was subdued before them.
Once Christ has delivered a person from the power of Satan (as a lost sinner), there remains very much (spiritual) land (13:1) yet to be conquered. The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (I John 2:16-17). The believer with a genuine heart to please the Lord knows that the worldly and material giants of lust must be overcome before we fully express the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22-23).
Remember the majority of the tribes did not have the faith (courage) to possess their inheritance until after this Shiloh experience. Many believers never experience much inward spiritual satisfaction because they continue on with the same goals in life as they had before they were "saved." They fail to become actively involved in the Lord's ministry and consider that ye are not your own (I Cor. 6:19). Only "if time permits" do they consider their spiritual responsibility to the Kingdom of God. But, every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He (Jesus) is pure (I John 3:2-3). True peace is experienced through yielding to the will of God who said: Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings (gossip, criticism, faultfinding, and ridicule), As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious (I Pet. 2:1-3).
Thought for Today:
When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them (Josh. 19:49).
Christ Revealed:
Through Shiloh. The children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the Tabernacle (Josh. 18:1). The Tabernacle was located at Shiloh, meaning "peace." The Tabernacle was where the presence of God dwelt, and both the place and the Tabernacle were prophetic of Jesus. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace (John 16:33).
Word Studies:
17:1 man of war great soldier; 17:13 waxen strong grown stronger; 18:4 describe draw a descriptive map of; 18:10 divisions family groups; 18:12 the goings out thereof its outer limits; 18:14 west quarter western side; 18:17 was drawn extended; the going up the ascent; stone marker; 19:14 compasseth goes around; outgoings limits; 19:34 sunrising fast.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Rep. Mike Coffman (CO) • Country: Armenia (3.8 million) southwest Transcaucasia between Europe and Asia • Major languages: Armenian and Russian • Religious freedom • 78.5% Armenian Apostolic Church; 3.3% Muslim; .05% Protestant; 17.7% Atheist/Agnostic Prayer Suggestion: Pray for your brothers and sisters that they might be filled with spiritual discernment and the fullness of Christ (Eph. 3:14-18).
Optional Reading: John 10:1
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 1:1
