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Today's Bible Reading...
March 17 -Joshua 11-13
Chapter 11 - Israel attacks the northern kings
Joshua had already broken the power of the southern kings. Now his victory
over the
northern kings gave him control of all the land.
Joshua was always careful to obey God's instructions.
11:21,22 The Anakites were the tribes of giants the Israelite spies were
afraid of
in Number 13. This time they are not afraid and they claim the land God
promised.
Chapter 12 - lists 31 destroyed kings The whole land was basically
conquered. A few
small groups of Canaanites remained and after Joshua's death made trouble
for Israel.
After several years of battle Israel gained control of the land which
was then
divided and distributed. The general army was dismissed. Each tribe would
need to take
care of their own land. Now the people must continue to obey God if they
want to remain
in the land.
Chapter 13 - The tribes receive their land.
Because of the prophecies of Genesis 49 - (Jacob's blessing of his sons), and
Deuteronomy 33
(Moses' blessing the 12 tribes) the type of land each tribe would
receive was
already known.
There was still land to be conquered. Part of the problem the Israelites
encountered was
that they settled the land that they had failed to fully conquer. They
controlled the land
but some of the inhabitants were still there.
What do we learn from these chapters?
1. Joshua is somewhere between 85 and 100 years old. God still has work
for him to do.
We never retire from God's service. Older people are filled with wisdom
and experience.
2. What is the unconquered land in your life? What do you need to conquer?
3. Probably the greatest mistake Joshua made was to not appoint a
successor. We must
mentor and train leadership.
4. Don't fear overwhelming odds. 1 person + God is a majority.
5. Never forget that it is God who gives the victory. We engage in the
fighting - but
God grants the outcome.
6. Total obedience = total victory
7. Joshua left nothing undone that God told him to do. May we do all that
God needs us to
do.
Dear God, Help me to stand firm and to stay in the battle. May I never lose
heart. May
I never be distracted or stray from obeying your orders. In the name of
Jesus I pray. Amen
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