Israel experiences oppression as they fall away from God and serve the nations around them or fall under the oppression of those among them. This is just what the Lord had said to them in Judges 2:3 “Now I say,…
Tag: August
I Give The Land Into His Hand
Even after the warfare to overthrow the kings and armies and governments that had previously possessed the land, and though they had years of peace, there were still Canaanites and others in the land that were rising up against Israel.…
Choose Yourselves Today Whom You Want to Serve
As Joshua approaches the end of his life, he offers one final challenge to the children of Israel in Joshua 24:14 “So now, revere Yahweh and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness; remove the gods that your ancestors served beyond…
Yahweh Gave Them Rest On Every Side
All of the work of allocating the land is done. God’s call to Moses has been completed. God’s call to Joshua has been fulfilled. And in Joshua 21:44 “Yahweh gave them rest on every side, according to all that he…
Appoint For Yourselves Cities of Refuge
The lands have been given, an inheritance to Israel, by tribe and family but there is still the shift they must make from the time of sojourning and war to the time of peaceful possession that was before them. Moses…
These Are the Inheritances
The most striking thing for me about the way the land was divided is that this was not an autocratic decision handed down by Joshua to each tribe. It was a very representative process handled through public meetings where in…
The Allotment Was Made
As the allotments are being made, some are honored for their place as warriors as Caleb and Makir were. Even in his old age, in Joshua 15:14–15 “Caleb drove out from there three of Anak’s sons” to clear the land…
The Israelites Inherit the Land
The first land given to Israel is East of the Jordan, the land of the Amorites, Gilead which was taken by Israel as Moses lead them toward the land of Canaan. Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh received…
The Grace of God Has Appeared Bringing Salvation
Paul writes to his disciple and son in the Lord with instruction to establish order in the churches of the region. Titus is to go from town to town and “appoint elders in every town”. But not just anyone was…
Preach the Word
Paul comes to the close of his letter to Timothy and turns Timothy’s focus so that it is not on “pointless chatter” of those that oppose but instead, guide “the word of truth along a straight path”. And he will…
That They Also May Obtain Salvation Which is in Christ Jesus
Paul’s admonition to Timothy is very much applicable to our lives today. Paul tells Timothy, the circumstances of your life are not the most important thing. The strife and constant wrangling, the drama that some people seem to thrive on,…
Train Yourself for Godliness
Paul offers Timothy instruction in the administration of his gift as a teacher and leader in the body of Christ. And though there are many needs around us, we are most effective when we are diligent with our gift. All…
The Goal of Our Instruction is Love
Paul instructs one of his faithful disciples giving him positive encouragement in the prophetic word spoken over his life. Paul also offers guidance for overseers and deacons. And, Paul instructs Timothy to combat the false doctrines that some are “speaking…
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Paul reminds the people of the church in Philippi that “our commonwealth exists in heaven” so we should not walk as the world does, but hold on to what we have attained. But not everyone is getting along in this…