Wednesday, March 27, 2019

2019.03.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 21

Read Joshua 21
Questions for Littles: Whose heads of fathers’ houses came near in Joshua 21:1? To whom did they come near? Where did they speak to them (Joshua 21:2)? Of what did they remind them that Yahweh had commanded? Who give the Levites cities and common lands in Joshua 21:3? From what did they give these cities and common lands? How does Joshua 21:4 tell us that these decisions are being made—what “came out” for the families of the Kohathites? Which Kohathites are mentioned first? Among which three tribes were they given cities and lands? Where else do Joshua 21:9-11 and Joshua 21:13-19 tell us that these same families received cities and lands? With whom did this make them near neighbors (Joshua 21:12)? Which families’ cities are named in Joshua 21:20-26? Which families’ names are named in Joshua 21:27-33? Which families’ cities are named in Joshua 21:34-40? What did these cities all come with (cf. Joshua 21:41-42)? How much of the promised land did Yahweh give to Israel (Joshua 21:43)? To whom had He sworn that this would happen? What had they now done at this point? What did Yahweh give them all around (Joshua 21:44a)? According to what had He done this? Who had been able to stand against them? Who had delivered their enemies into their hand? What had not failed (Joshua 21:45)?
In this week’s Old Testament reading, the Levites do NOT receive their inheritance. The book of Joshua has repeatedly reminded us that the inheritance of the Levites is the Lord Himself and His worship. When the Lord now takes care of all of their other needs He is displaying His own faithfulness to keep every Word and His own goodness to attend to all our needs. So, in a sense, what they are receiving is not the inheritance but the experience of how gloriously good that inheritance is—the Lord Himself!

In a sense, there is a reminder here that, according to God’s command, the Lord is the ultimate inheritance not only of the Levites but of all of His people. He spreads the Levites throughout the land, in all of the territories of His people, thereby spreading the display and experience of His own presence among His people.

He gives His people the privilege of giving of their own inheritance to provide for the Levites (and therefore the display and experience of God’s presence). He still does that for us today—giving us the privilege of participating in the earthly maintenance of those through whose ministries He especially draws near to us. As He does so, He keeps reminding us that the very good blessings that He gives us in this life are not our ultimate inheritance, but that He Himself is our ultimate inheritance!

Finally, the chapter concludes with what is the great theme of the entire book: not one word of Yahweh has fallen (Joshua 21:45, literally). The Word of Yahweh is so closely identified with Him that it is completely and perfectly reliable just as He is. Dear believer, you can count on it!
What difference does it make if God is Your greatest possession and delight? What are some words of promise that you have from God that will not fall?
Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly I Am with You” or TPH243 “How Firm a Foundation”

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