Read Joshua 20:1
Highlights:
Six cities appointed as cities of refuge; forty-eight cities given to the Levites. All the tribes were responsible to support the Levites (Josh. 21:44-45).
Many of the cities within the promised land were still occupied by various Canaanite kingdoms after the death of Joshua (Josh. 17:12-13; 18:3). Their inheritance was delayed because of their sins of fear (unbelief) and compromise.
Caleb, however, was as dedicated as he had been more than forty years earlier when Moses sent him to spy out the land. There was no trace of weakness as he testified to the nation: As my strength was then, even so is my strength now (14:11). Many hard years had intervened, yet his vision and willingness to conquer the Canaanites at the age of more than eighty-five had not diminished from when he was forty. He rallied the forces, fought the Canaanites, and declared victory over powerful Hebron. There is only one explanation for his success. Caleb had faith in God and His power to fulfill His promises (Num. 14:24). God first gave promise of the land to Abraham (Gen. 13:14-15; 15:18-21), then to Jacob (28:13), and now the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it (Josh. 21:43-45).
Canaan was a wicked, sinful land whose inhabitants contaminated it by their violence, immorality, and idol worship. God said it was a land which deserved judgment and He called upon the Israelites to execute His judgment. The land which Christians are to possess is the whole world: Go . . teach all nations . . . to observe all things (Matt. 28:19-20). With Christ as our King, we are to wage continued spiritual warfare against evil in whatever form it may be found. The nature of warfare has not changed. Its conditions remain the same, and His victory is still our objective (I John 5:4). The servants of God are called to rise up and overcome. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
God fulfills His promises through Christians who are today's Joshua and Caleb. God gave Joshua the requirements for fulfilling His promises: This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Josh. 1:8). The numerous promises of our Lord are a witness to His unfailing grace which is available to every believer (I Tim. 6:15).
Jesus declared: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away (Matt. 24:35).
Thought for Today:
Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands . . . the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is His Name (Jer. 32:18).
Christ Portrayed:
By Eleazar, the chief priest (Josh. 21:1; Num. 3:32). Jesus Christ is our High Priest. The . . . High Priest of our profession (confession), Christ Jesus (Heb. 3:1).
Word Studies:
20:2 Appoint out choose, Assign; 20:3 unwittingly without premeditation, unintentionally; 20:4 declare his cause state his case; 20:5 hated him not, was without malice; 20:9 stranger foreign resident; sojourneth temporarily dwells; at unawares by accident; 21:1 heads readers; 21:4 lot share.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Country: Australia (19 million) an island continent between the Indian and Pacific Oceans • Major languages: English and native languages • Religious freedom • 40% Protestant; 27% Roman Catholic; 3% Orthodox; 2% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Praise and thank the Lord that He can do exceedingly more than we ask or even think (Eph. 3:20).
Optional Reading: John 11:1
Memory Verse for the Week:1 Peter 1:8