Today’s reading: Josh 16:1–17:18, 2 Cor 11:24–33, Ps 55:1–23
Today’s theme: Take the land
Today we learn about the need to have holy energy in our hearts to God in faith and work to take the land. We need to cut down the trees and expand, making our boast not in our efforts but our reliance on the Lord. We work from a place of rest because we cast all our cares on the Lord who cares for us.
Joshua 16:1–17:18
God’s just society
because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh. Joshua 17:6 (ESV)
The law set by Moses concerning daughters being given an inheritance when there are no sons was now fulfilled. Again this points to the fact that women were not to be treated with contempt or like possessions as the Pagan cultures taught.
Go clear tress and take the land
but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.” Joshua 17:18 (ESV)
Pastor Dennis preached a powerful message helping us apply this passage to our lives in Christ some years ago. The children of Joseph were not content to stay in a lot that was too small for their people, they boldly asked for more.
Joshua turned the request for more back on the people in the form of a challenge and a promise. The challenge was put forward in verse 15, which was to go and make a second plot of land in the wooded hill area to make room for themselves. The promise in this verse is that they will defeat the enemy despite the enemies power.
Today we should take this attitude in our walk with the Lord. Matthew 11:12 says we should take the kingdom by force. We should boldly go to clear the trees (wood speaking of the flesh) and take the land (God’s promises and kingdom). We need to pray and very actively work to advance God’s kingdom as a church and individually. We must avoid the lazy idea of sitting back and leaving it all to God, let’s go and clear trees and take the land.
2 Corinthians 11:24–33
Boast in relying on God
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 2 Corinthians 11:30 (ESV)
Paul does not boast about the things he has achieved or done well, he instead boasts in his weaknesses which cause him to rely on the Lord and bring God glory. His critics say his life should be characterised by blessing, but according to Paul’s teaching and life a Christian’s life is characterised by suffering for Christ. It is further characterised by God being glorified in the Christian’s constant service, witness and perseverance.
Psalm 55:1–23
Cast your burden on the Lord
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (ESV)
Like we read in 1 Peter 5:7 we can cast all our cares on the Lord. This brings balance and comfort with today’s other readings where we saw our need to take responsibility and work in the book of Joshua and our call to endure hardship in 2 Corinthians.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition on 2 Corinthians 11