In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age. And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that has fought for you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse four of Joshua said, “I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain”, where we read,
Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
The verse reads, “Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “behold, I have divided unto you by lot” which means “lo, look and consider, I, Joshua, have separated and apportioned to you, the people of Israel, through the means of throwing, dropping and assigning” “these nations that remain” or “the people groups or Gentiles that are left over and behind”, “to be an inheritance for your tribes” which means “to exist as a possession, property and heritage on behalf of your, the people of Israel’s, clans and people groups”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel that the Gentile people groups that continued were also to exist as a possession for their clans.
The verse continues, “… from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “from Jordan” which means “separate and apart from Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”, “with all the nations” or “alongside and accompanied by each, the whole and everyone of the people groups and Gentiles” “that I have cut off” which means “that I, Joshua, have eliminated, killed and beheaded”, “even unto the great sea westward” or “to the Mediterranean Sea in the western direction”. Joshua or the writer shared how the possession of the people of Israel was to stretch from the “Jordan River” accompanied by each and every Gentile people group that he eliminated until they reach the Mediterranean Sea.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua continued to inspire and motivate the people of Israel to possess the promise land. Although they had made great strides in their efforts, Joshua told them there was more territory to be obtained. God wants us to have this type of mentality, and because He loves us, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He was raised from the dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to walk in that truth so we are continually seeking to receive all God has provided for us. (See John 3:16; Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:12)
Next time Joshua says, “the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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