2019.05.01 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 24:29-33

Read Joshua 24:29-33

Questions for Littles: What title is Joshua given in Joshua 24:29? What happened to him? How old was he? Within the border of what place did they bury him (Joshua 24:30)? What did Israel do for all of the days of Joshua (Joshua 24:31)? For whom else’s days did Israel do this? What had all of these people known? Whose bones does Joshua 24:32 talk about? From where had they brought them up? To where did they bring them? Who died in Joshua 24:33? Where was he buried?

The theme of the book of Joshua has been how not one of God’s good words to His people have fallen to the ground. Every single one of His promises has been kept. So, it might seem odd at first that the book closes with four funerals.

But these funerals each indicate the promises that have been kept. Joshua is buried in his inheritance. Joseph is buried in the inheritance of his children. Eleazar is buried in the his son Phinehas’s inheritance. Joshua and Eleazar had been born slaves in Egypt. Joseph had been sold as a slave into Egypt. Here they are, buried in the land of promise—not by families that are strangers in the land, as Abraham was unto his death, but by families that possess their land.

But there is more here. There is the spiritual salvation of a people who “served Yahweh all the days of Joshua, and the elders who outlived Joshua.” Think about what Israel was under Moses. Think about what Israel was under the Judges, and through just about the entire kingdom period. This could very well be the longest period of faithfulness among the people of God in the Old Testament! If not the longest, then it is certainly one of them. That is also a glorious display of the faithfulness and mercy of God. If I had to choose between inheritance and godliness, then may the Lord grant unto me godliness, for He is our inheritance!

So, there’s inheritance. And there’s godliness. Finally, there is also resurrection. Genesis and Joshua both close with a little bit of a fuss over Joseph’s bones. What’s the big deal? Why is he so insistent upon what happens with his used endoskeleton? Because he’s not done with it yet! Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph looked forward to a better country that they would not inherit without us (cf. Hebrews 11). The best is yet to come. Jesus is worthy of everlasting blessings, both heavenly and earthly, and we shall receive them all—together with Him Himself!

Of inheritance, godliness, and resurrection, to which do you most need to be reminded to look forward? How will you remind yourself? 

Suggested songs: ARP73C “Yet Constantly, I Am with You” or TPH446 “Be Thou My Vision”

2019.04.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 24:16-28

Read Joshua 24:16-28

Questions for Littles: Who are answering in Joshua 24:16? Whom do they say they will not forsake? Whom do they say they will not serve? What are four things that they acknowledge that Yahweh has done in Joshua 24:17-18? What is the ultimate reason that they give for serving Him at the end of verse 18? What does Joshua tell the people that they cannot do in Joshua 24:19? What two reasons does he give for this from God’s character? What reason does he give from God’s justice? What will Yahweh do if they forsake Him and serve strange gods (Joshua 24:20)? What do the people respond in Joshua 24:21? What does Joshua call them in Joshua 24:22? Who else calls them that? Then what does Joshua tell them to put away in Joshua 24:23? What does he say to do with their hearts? What do the people say in Joshua 24:24? What does Joshua make with them that day in Joshua 24:25? What does he set up as a witness in Joshua 24:26? What does he say “has heard” the words (Joshua 24:27)? Where do the people now go (Joshua 24:28)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, it seems like Joshua’s speech from the previous passage has gained its aim, when the people commit themselves to the correct action, “We also will serve Yahweh, for He is our God.” Except that was, apparently, not Joshua’s aim.

It must have been shocking to the people when he said, “You cannot serve Yahweh!” God is holy; He demands a single-mindedness, a whole-heartedness, of which they are just incapable. What’s worse for them is that Yahweh is a righteous judge, and they don’t deserve to be made capable (end of Joshua 24:19). And the final and ultimate problem is that this just judgment makes them all the more the targets of Yahweh’s wrath (Joshua 24:20).

Yet, the people continue to acknowledge that the judgment of Yahweh has been correct in this. Joshua warns them that they are being witnesses against themselves, and they agree that they are witnesses. Fully half of the passage is their interaction about the stone of witness. Why?

Because while the book of Joshua declares the Lord’s faithfulness to His people (no falling words!), it also means to leave us wondering, “what about the people’s unfaithfulness to the Lord?” (only falling words!). And the answer has the same Hebrew name as Joshua. Jesus.

Jesus was single-minded and whole-hearted toward God. And Jesus deserved for us to be made able to believe into Him, so that His righteousness could be counted before God as our righteousness, and His life could become ours, replacing our death. The final message of Joshua’s life is, “You need Jesus!” And you do!

Are you able to be whole-hearted toward God? Who is? What difference does that make?

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man or TPH459 “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”

2019.04.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 24:1-15

Read Joshua 24:1-15

Questions for Littles: Whom did Joshua gather in Joshua 24:1? For whom did he call? Before whom did they present themselves? Who is saying the words that are coming out of Joshua’s mouth (Joshua 24:2)? Who dwelt on the other side of the river? When? What did they do there? In Joshua 24:3, what four things does the Lord mention having done for Abraham? What did the Lord give Esau in Joshua 24:4? But where did Jacob and his children go? What did the Lord do there (Joshua 24:5)? Whom did the Lord bring out of Egypt (Joshua 24:6)? To where did they come? Who pursued them? To whom did the Israelites cry (Joshua 24:7)? What did He do? Then, where did the Israelites dwell for a long time? What happened with the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan (Joshua 24:8)? Who then arose against Israel (Joshua 24:9)? Whom did he call to do what? What did the Lord make Balaam to do instead (Joshua 24:10)? From the hands of which eight groups does Joshua 24:11 mention Yahweh delivering His people? What is one thing that the Lord used to deliver them (Joshua 24:12)? What does He say He did NOT use to deliver them? What four things does Joshua 24:13 say that God gave them, but that they did not have to produce? What does He, therefore, command them to do (Joshua 24:14)? Whom does He say to put away? Whose gods does Joshua suggest they might serve in Joshua 24:15? After reading the first fourteen verses, why might those gods be poor choices, even from a worldly perspective? Whom does Joshua say he will serve? Whom else does Joshua say will serve Yahweh?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, the Lord reminds His people about the god-battles that are part of their history. The gods of Egypt couldn’t deliver them. The gods of the Amorites couldn’t deliver them. Balak of the Moabites was smarter—he tried to have Yahweh on his side, but the Lord refused. The gods of Jericho couldn’t deliver them. The gods of the Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites couldn’t deliver them. But Yahweh? He delivered Israel. And delivered them. And delivered them. And delivered them.

Can you imagine? Hornets rising up against you? And hailstones (cf. Joshua 10:11)? It would seem like the entire creation was up against you. But it was actually even worse: the Creator Himself was against them! For Israel’s part, the reverse was true: the Creator Himself was for them!

And He surrounded their lives with evidence that He is for them. Their land that they did not labor either to clear or to possess. Cities that they did not build. Vineyards and olive groves that they did not plant. Wells that they had not dug (cf. Deuteronomy 6:11).

The Lord has done even better for us, to show us that the Creator is for us. He, the Creator, has given Himself for us! Romans 8:31-32 puts it this way: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

So the same choice faces us today. Nothing else and no one else, that others trust in or live for, can deliver them or provide for them. But Yahweh, Jesus, has given Himself for us. Will we give ourselves to Him who gave Himself for us? Or will we reject all of the evidence around us and decide that we’d like life better trusting something/someone else and living for something/someone else?

In what do you tend to trust, instead of the Lord? In what do you tend to delight, instead of the Lord? For what do you tend to live instead of the Lord? What are a couple of your favorite things? What would it look like to enjoy them as from the Lord and use them as for the Lord?

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH265 “In Christ Alone”

2019.04.10 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 23

Read Joshua 23

Questions for Littles: How much time has passed in Joshua 23:1? What is Joshua’s condition at this point? For whom does he call in Joshua 23:2? What does he say about himself? What does he say that they have seen (Joshua 23:3)? Whom does he say has fought for them? What has Joshua already done for them in Joshua 23:4? What does he remind them, in Joshua 23:5, that needs to be done still? Whom does he say will do it? What must the Israelites do (Joshua 23:6)? What must they not do (Joshua 23:7)? With what phrase does Joshua 23:8 summarize the keeping of God’s commandments? What has the Lord done so far (Joshua 23:9)? What can one man do, if the Lord fights for him (Joshua 23:10)? Again, what must the Israelites do (Joshua 23:11)? What would be the opposite of loving the Lord (Joshua 23:12)? And what will happen if they mix with the world (Joshua 23:13)? What has not failed in Joshua 23:14? What kind of word will also not fail, according to Joshua 23:15? What will happen to Israel if they break the covenant (Joshua 23:16)? 

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we see the great faithfulness of God to His Word. He has brought Israel into the promised land. He has given them victory over their enemies. He has driven out before them great and strong nations. He has divided to them by lot the nations that remain.

The main point of the passage is clear. Not one word has fallen. Twice in Joshua 23:14. Not one word has failed!

For us, this certainty is underlined even more. For, Israel did not love Yahweh their God (Joshua 23:11) and cling to Him (Joshua 23:8). They were instead happy to have the same priorities as the world, and to intermarry with them—choosing rather to fit in with the nations around them, they chose that friendship of the world which the Scripture tells us is enmity with God (cf. James 4:3-4). And what happened? Exactly what the Lord’s prophet said would happen. The anger of Yahweh burned against them, and they perished quickly from the good land which God gave them. No falling words.

Now, the Lord has given us infallible words too. He has told us that the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His might angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, punishing them with everlasting destruction that comes from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thess 1:7-9). Not one of these words will fail.

But the Lord has also told us that Christ came down from above for sinners, and that having died for their sins, He rose again from the dead—that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in Your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. That through this faith comes righteousness, and when your mouth’s statements are the expression of such heart belief, that this is also a word that cannot fail. Whoever thus believes on Him will not be put to shame. Whoever thus calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:6-13. These words, too, cannot fail. Hallelujah!

How sure do you know God’s words to be? Which of His never-failing words is true about you?

Suggested songs: ARP29 “You Sons of the Gods” or TPH265 “In Christ Alone”

2019.04.03 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 22

Read Joshua 22

Questions for Littles: Whom does Joshua call to himself in Joshua 22:1? For what does he praise them in Joshua 22:2-3? What observation does Joshua make about God in Joshua 22:4? What does he command the 2½ tribes to do in Joshua 22:5? What does he do to them as he sends them away in Joshua 22:6-8? What do these tribes build, when they return to their region (Joshua 22:10)? Who hear about it in Joshua 22:11? What do they decide to do about it in Joshua 22:12? But whom do they send first, before the army, in Joshua 22:13-15? What does this delegation ask in Joshua 22:16-18? What do the 9.5 tribes offer to the 2.5 tribes in Joshua 22:19-20? What do the 2.5 tribes say that the altar is NOT for doing in Joshua 22:21-26? What do they say that the altar IS for, in Joshua 22:27-29? How does the delegation from the 9.5 tribes respond to this explanation (Joshua 22:30)? Why are they so glad that the altar is not for sacrifices (Joshua 22:31)? How does the rest of Israel respond to the report from their delegation (Joshua 22:32-33)? What do Reuben and Gad call the altar in Joshua 22:34? 

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we have a passage that hardly makes sense in an age of the church in which many churches make worshiping in their own style into a weekly event. For the Israelites, however, they still had pretty fresh memories of how seriously God takes to be worshiped in only the way that He has commanded.

In fact, when 4/5 of Israel thinks that the other 1/5 have invented their own worship style, they get ready to go to war, since it would be better to wipe out that 1/5 than to have the entire nation wiped out. How humbling that these Israelites, whose history generally makes us blush for their repeated unfaithfulness, would outdo so much of today’s Christian church in their seriousness about worshiping the Lord only in the way that He prescribes!

Happily, the altar was not for worship but for witness. It’s actually rather ironic—they had built the altar intentionally to remind themselves NOT to worship with such an altar. They intended to remind themselves that only Yahweh is God, and that the only proper altar for sacrifice was the one at the tabernacle.

In the end, both groups wanted the same thing: to affirm that there is only one true God, who Himself is the One who decides on the one true way of worship, and that truly belonging to His people starts with knowing and practicing this truth!

Who is our tabernacle now? Is there any other way of coming to God? What are some things by which we are tempted to measure “good” worship? What is the true measure of what makes worship good or right?

Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH164 “God Himself Is with Us”

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”

2019.03.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 20

Read Joshua 20

Questions for Littles: Who spoke in Joshua 20:1? To whom? And to whom did He tell him to speak (Joshua 20:2)? What did He tell him to tell them to appoint? Through whom had He said this before? What kind of slayer/killer could flee there (Joshua 20:3)? From whom would this be a refuge for him? Where would he stand when he flees to one of those cities (Joshua 20:4)? To whom would he declare his case? What would the elders of the city do if they agree with his case? When the avenger of blood arrives, what will the elders of the city do (Joshua 20:5)? How does verse 5 define manslaughter? What additional trial was he to have according to Joshua 20:6 (cf. end of Joshua 20:9)? And upon whose death could he return to his own city and his own house? Which cities were appointed in which tribes, in Joshua 20:7-8? Who had access to these cities of refuge (Joshua 20:9)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we read about the cities of refuge for someone who is not guilty of murder, but has accidentally killed someone. The deceased person’s relative has a duty to go and get vengeance, and so the manslayer needs a place to go where he can hide from vengeance. Finally, there is the death of the High Priest, which releases even the need for finding refuge. All three of these are a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ unto us.

First, Christ is our place of refuge. What’s wonderful about this is the many ways in which He is better than one of the cities in Joshua 20. He is a refuge for any sin and not just involuntary manslaughter. He is a refuge, even if we are guilty—which is important, because we are so frequently guilty! He is a refuge who is available everywhere, and who doesn’t take any time at all to get to—just imagine how important your cross-country running times would be if you ended up in one of these situations! Finally, He is a perfect judge and perfect defender. How very much, for the manslayer would depend upon the elders and congregation of the city to which he fled.

Second, Christ is our High Priest. He has already died, once for all. This is one of many reasons that the Mosaic civil law cannot still be in effect. It is directly tied to the ceremonial law, which has been replaced by Christ. And Christ, having already died, does accomplish not the same thing, but something better. When the High Priest died, the time for vengeance on the manslayer expired. So in Christ, we do not merely have a refuge in Whom we may hide from wrath; but we have the expiration of vengeance altogether. Indeed, the Lord Jesus does something that no other High Priest ever did. He rose again. So in Him, we have not only the expiration of wrath, but the desert of blessedness. No longer are we separated from home and inheritance; rather, we are now joint-heirs with Him in Whom everywhere is our home and rightful inheritance!

Third, Christ is our own avenger of blood. He is our close relative. He considers it a duty to get complete vengeance for whatever has been done to us. But again, He is so much better. There is nowhere our persecutors or enemies can flee from Him. Even if it should cost Jesus to suffer the full wrath of God Himself, He will make sure that all that is done against us is fully repaid.

Have you fled to Christ? Have you become a joint-inheritor with Him? In what situations do you need to hear that He will avenge all wrongs against you?

Suggested songs: ARP32 “What Blessedness” or TPH274 “Jesus, My Great High Priest”

2019.03.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 18-19

Read Joshua 18-19

Questions for Littles: Who are gathered at Shiloh in Joshua 18:1? What do they set up there? What has been done to the land? What does Joshua 18:2 say still needs to happen? With what question does Joshua challenge them in Joshua 18:3? What command does he give them in Joshua 18:4? Which tribes are already the southern and northern “bookends” of Israel (Joshua 18:5)? Once the land is divided into seven parts, how will it be decided which tribe gets which part (Joshua 18:6)? Before Whom is the lot cast? Who is the first to be mentioned that they will not get one of these seven regions in Joshua 18:7? Why not—what do they get instead? Who else do not get one of these seven regions? Why not? Who gave their inheritance to them? What command is given a third time in Joshua 18:8? To whom, specifically, is it given this time? What process does Joshua 18:9 summarize? What happened after this process in Joshua 18:10? Whose lot came up first (Joshua 18:11)? Second (Joshua 19:1)? Third (Joshua 19:10)? Fourth (Joshua 19:17)? Fifth (Joshua 19:24)? Sixth (Joshua 19:32)? Seventh (Joshua 19:40)? Who else receives an inheritance in Joshua 19:49? How was this inheritance selected (Joshua 19:50)? Where and in front of whom were these inheritances divided (Joshua 19:51)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, although not all of the Canaanites have been driven out, the war is over. The land is subdued. The problem is that there are seven tribes that have not yet received their inheritance.

Surprisingly, Joshua tells them that it is their fault. His triple-repeated command to survey the land and identify the borders of seven regions carries with it the implication that this is something that they should have done by now. The first repetition is the strongest, “How long will you neglect…?”

In other words, since God has promised it to them, faith would have acted upon that promise, and their inaction is actually indicative of some measure of unbelief.

Of course, although faith acts, its hope is not in its action but in the Lord upon the basis of whose Word the action is taken, and before Whom the action is taken, and unto Whom the actors look for the blessing of the action.

That’s the point of the casting of lots—not that it is random… in fact, exactly the opposite! All of this is done before the Lord. In this particular case, it is done at the tabernacle. That place of intersection between God and man. That place that John 1 tells us was ultimately fulfilled when the Word became flesh and tabernacle among us!

What has Jesus earned for you to receive? What has Jesus earned to be done to you first in order to receive it? What are Jesus’s means by which He does this for you? From where do you receive your instruction for doing these things? Before Whom do you do these things? Unto whom do you look for their blessing? What does all of that look like?

Suggested songs: ARP119B “How Can a Young Man Cleanse His Way?” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

2019.02.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 16:1-17:18

Read Joshua 16:1-17:18

Questions for Littles: Whose inheritances are described in this section (Joshua 16:1-4)? Which tribe, specifically, beginning in Joshua 16:5? Toward what did it go in Joshua 16:6? Where did it end in Joshua 16:7? Toward what did it go in Joshua 16:8? Where did it end? Whose inheritance was this? Where else did they have cities (Joshua 16:9)? What deficiency was there in their inheriting (Joshua 16:10)? Whose inheritance is described, beginning in Joshua 17:1? Who is mentioned first? Why? What did he receive? Who else receive a lot in Joshua 17:2? What problem did Zelophehad have (Joshua 17:3)? Whose descendant was he? Who come to Eleazar and Joshua in Joshua 17:4? Of what do they remind the high priest and the prophet? How many shares total does Manasseh receive (Joshua 17:5)? What had increased their total shares (Joshua 17:6)? What were their borders in Joshua 17:7-9? What tribes did they border (Joshua 17:10)? Where else did they have towns (Joshua 17:11)? What deficiency do we see again in Joshua 17:12-13? What complaint do Ephraim and Manasseh make in Joshua 17:14? On what grounds? What does Joshua say that they should do if these grounds are valid (Joshua 17:15)? How do they respond to that (Joshua 17:16)? And what is Joshua’s counter-response (Joshua 17:17-18)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we move from the inheritance of Judah to the inheritance of Joseph. This is a reminder that the Lord’s mercy and generosity are according to His undeserved grace, not according to human convention or tradition. Joseph was the second-youngest of the children. Even Judah was not the oldest. But inheritance of land and role in the Lord’s work are graces that are assigned by the Lord.

Furthermore, Ephraim is the greater of the two, even though he was the younger of the two. This continues a theme in Genesis that followed Seth, Isaac, Jacob, and now Ephraim. Over and over again throughout that book, and now here, God says “My goodness to you is all of grace.”

Yet, we see that God by His grace not only hands us things, but intends to sustain us in what we are called to do. In Joshua 17:16, Ephraim and Manasseh complain that it will be difficult to take the additional land that God is giving them, and the prophet’s response is, “yeah, but you’ll do it anyway.” How many children (and church members) could benefit from such a frank, loving response today?!

Of course, the fact that the Lord does things through us, sustaining us by grace, leaves us unsurprised when we see that sometimes we stumble and fall short in our part. Both Ephraim and Manasseh failed to drive out completely the Canaanites in their territories, and this would end up being a thorn in their side later on. The Lord is not surprised: in His providence, He permits us to see how faulty we are. Not so that we might blame Him (since the fault is entirely ours), but so that we might learn to be grateful for even the smallest successes in our duty (since the success is entirely from Him!).

Of course, this is setting us up to see that our ultimate inheritance must be earned, gained, and fulfilled by someone who does not fall short. The greater Joshua. Even Yeshua Himself. Praise Jesus!

Where have you fallen short? What are you going to do about that? Upon whom must you depend in this? What does that dependence look like? For what must you not even try to work, but only depend upon Him? How should we respond to His grace in either case?

Suggested songs: ARP130 “Lord, from the Depths” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”

2019.02.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 15:13-63

Read Joshua 15:13-63

Questions for Littles: Who took the land of the father of the Anakim (Joshua 15:13-15)? How did he determine who would be worthy of his daughter (Joshua 15:16-17)? Yet, who seemed to be the stronger of the pair (Joshua 15:18-19)? What did she want, since she had been given (along with her husband) dry land to the South? Whose inheritance is described in Joshua 15:20-63? How many cities and villages total did they inhabit? Yet, whom had they not yet driven out when Joshua was written (Joshua 15:63)? 

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we see that the work of God is varied, yet faithful.

The Lord is keeping His promise to bless and multiply the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And He is keeping His promise to supply them with cities that they did not themselves have to build.

How does He do this?

Well, in part, by enabling an 85 year old man to defeat the father of the Anakim—a race of mighty giants.

And, in part, through a battle-contest for a wife. And, how interesting that this warrior Othniel, who wins the battle contest, does appear to have met every bit of his match in Achsah, daughter of Caleb. Not only is the asking for the springs of water her idea, but it turns out that she is the one who follows through in Joshua 15:19.

Furthermore, there’s a reminder built into this giant list of names. Every city name would have been precious to the descendants of the many families that inherited that city. We might stumble over the list and find it tedious, but we would not if our family’s inheritance was represented in one of those cities! God’s faithfulness to His general promises to His people includes separate faithfulness and generosity to every single one of His people.

Finally, there’s a hint at faithfulness to come—that God is reserving the defeat of the Jebusites as part of how He will bring honor to King David. Not unlike how the crushing of the serpent’s head is being reserved for the bringing of honor to King Jesus.

What promises has God made to you in Christ?
What are some of His appointed ways of keeping those promises?
What are some surprising providential ways that He has kept them?

Suggested songs: ARP189 “Universal Praise” or TPH245 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

2019.02.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 15:1-12

Read Joshua 15:1-12

Questions for Littles: Whose territory does this passage describe (Joshua 15:1)? What is their southern boundary? Where does it begin (Joshua 15:2)? What two other bodies of water mark it at the end (Joshua 15:4)? What is its east border (Joshua 15:5)? How far does that go? What land features tend to mark its northern border in Joshua 15:7-8? What topographical features in Joshua 15:9-11? What is its western border (Joshua 15:12)?

In this week’s Old Testament reading, we continue through one of the thickest, most tedious-to-read sections of Joshua.

With what is it so thick? With what is reading it so tedious? With the faithfulness and mercy of God! The faithfulness of God, because God is keeping His promises. In particular, in this section, Judah is the greatest of the tribes, as promised. We are preparing to hear that the scepter ends up in Judah, and that it will not be lost until Shiloh, God-with-us in the Person of Jesus, comes.

But this is also a lesson in the mercy of God, because this faithfulness on God’s part is so very good and wholly undeserved. We can see the goodness in all of the provision that is implied in all of these topographical features. The Salt Sea. The Nile. The Mediterranean. The Jordan. Each of these bodies of water have something unique to offer, whether salt, fish, papyrus, commerce, irrigation, and more.

Then there are the valleys—fertile places where rich soil has been deposited ever since the flood. And the mountains—more varied climates, with important wood and mineral resources, not to mention that excavating and clearing them produces natural strongholds for military purposes.

So, as we simply follow the border around Judah, to the uninitiated 21st century American it sounds like a bunch of irrelevant names for tripping over or slogging down in, as we dutifully plug away through the Bible. But, if we have a good doctrine of Scripture, we know that these words are God-breathed and profitable.

Paying careful attention quickly pays off. This is the tribe that Jesus comes from, and that alone is worth the cost of pushing through this passage. The King is coming! The Savior is on His way! And the immediate context piles up the riches for us. Not every location is one that we know Christ to have visited. But every location is both a reminder that He has been here for us, and a reminder that God’s mercy to His people in those locations extends two thousand years in each direction from Christ.

What are the current boundaries of God’s blessing to you? How does Judah enclose another kind of blessing for you altogether? When/how do you meditate on these goodnesses from God?

Suggested songs: ARP189 “Universal Praise” or TPH245 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

2019.02.06 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 14:6-15

Read Joshua 14:6-15

Questions for Littles: To whom did the children of Israel come in Joshua 14:6? Where? Who speaks to him? Of whose Word does Caleb remind him? (how old had Caleb been at that time (Joshua 14:7)? With what had Caleb followed Yahweh (Joshua 14:7b-8)? What does he call Yahweh at the end of  Joshua 14:8? What had Caleb been promised on that day and by whom (Joshua 14:9)? Whom does Caleb say has kept him alive (Joshua 14:10)? How long has it been since then? How old is Caleb now? What amazing thing does Caleb testify about his physical strength in Joshua 14:11? For what does Caleb ask in Joshua 14:12a? Who had spoken to him about it? What does Caleb hope to be able to do? Why does he hope that he can do it? What does Joshua do to him first in Joshua 14:13? What does he “give him”? As “what” does he give it to him? What became the inheritance of Caleb (Joshua 14:14)? Why? Whose land had it been before (Joshua 14:15)? What did the land now have? 

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we see what a great blessing it is when God grants to us to be wholehearted unto the Lord. This is the great theme of the passage.

What made the difference between Caleb, who brought back good word from the heart, and the unfaithful spies who made the heart of the people melt? He wholly followed Yahweh his God.

What does Moses give as the reason that he is given him that land as his children’s forever? He wholly followed Yahweh, Moses’s God.

What does Joshua say is the reason that Hebron did, indeed, ultimately come to belong to Caleb? He wholly followed Yahweh, Israel’s God.

When we line up the three statements like that, you can see something ever so interesting at the end there. Caleb’s God. Moses’s God. Israel’s God. Without that variation to draw our attention to it, we might have missed that little ending on each of the statements, giving us a hint as to where this wholeheartedness comes from.

Yes, God is their God by covenant in that formal, sworn arrangement. But there is something more here. He has made that formal arrangement into a living reality in Caleb’s heart. The Lord gave him faith to believe. The Lord strengthened him for those particular tasks assigned to him. The Lord continued to give him faith that, just because the Lord had said it, he would take the best piece of land from the most fearsome foe. Indeed, it was the Lord Himself who gave Caleb the heart to wholly follow the Lord!

When you want to wholly follow the Lord, whom can you ask for help? Do you do so?

Suggested songs: ARP32A-B “What Blessedness” or TPH89B “My Song Forever Shall Record”

2019.01.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 14:1-5

Read Joshua 14:1-5

Questions for Littles: Who were inheriting the areas in this passage (v1)? In what land were the areas? Who distributed this inheritance to them? How were specific areas selected (v2)? Who had commanded this? By whose hand? For whom? Who had given inheritance to the other two and a half tribes (v3)? What tribe received no inheritance at all? How were there still twelve tribe areas, since the Levites didn’t have one (v4)? How was it decided how to divide the land (v5)?

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we again have a summary of the giving of the lands. This time, the emphasis is really on gift and inheritance. Of course, inheritance is a kind of gift. It is received not as earnings or wages or even deservings, but rather by virtue of a relationship and the generosity of another.

So v1a reminds us that the children of Israel inherited. And v1b reminds us that the land was distributed to them, and that this was given as an inheritance. Again, v2 begins by calling it an inheritance.

And the fact that it was by lot cannot mean “random chance” in the Bible but rather “selected by God’s providence alone.” Again in v3a, “Moses had given the inheritance…” And in v3b, “to the Levites he had given no inheritance…”

So the emphasis here is not that the land had been taken. Rather, the emphasis is upon the fact that the land was being given.

And though Eleazar and Joshua are named, it is really Moses who, humanly speaking, looms large over this passage, being named in three of the five verses. Of course, this is because Moses was the great representative of God—the prophet like whom One would some day arise as the Messiah.

But Moses is only at the center “humanly speaking.” It is Yahweh Himself who is the great Giver in this Scripture. And it’s not just a gift. It’s a commandment. There is not just generosity here. There is authority.

I wonder if you have learned to take comfort in that, dear Christian. Do you recognize that what you receive from the Lord comes not only from His tender, fatherly affection, but also from His almighty, kingly power and authority?

We are moved to great love and gratitude by His generosity. But let us also be moved to great peace and confidence by the authority with which He commands our inheritance!

What claim do you have upon an inheritance from God? How? Who is your representative?

Suggested songs: ARP180 “Christ Shall Have Dominion” or TPH89B “My Song Forever Shall Record”

2019.01.23 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 13:7-33

Read Joshua 13:7-33

Questions for Littles: What does God tell Joshua to do with the land in v7a? To which tribes? How much of Manasseh? With whom had the other half of Manasseh inherited (v8)? Who had given it to them (cf. v32a)? What was his title? What kind of topography had they inherited (v9, v11, v32b)? Whose kingdoms had these areas been (v10, v12a)? What were the people like (v12b)? Although the land was conquered, who were not driven out (v13)? Which tribe had received no inheritance (v14a, v33a)? What (Who!) was their inheritance (v14b, v33b)? Which tribe’s inheritance is described in vv15-23? What kind of topography did it have (v16)? What cities (v17-20)? Which ruler and rulers had it had (v21)? Whom else had they had to defeat? Which tribes inheritance is described in vv24-28? Which cities (vv25-27a)? What topography (v27)? What king (v27)? What (half!) tribe’s inheritance is described in vv29-31? What topography and cities? What king?

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we again have a passage about promises kept. It doesn’t make for great devotional topic variety, but it does make for great devotional comfort, and we will soon grow accustomed to this being the topic of our Joshua passage! After all, the great theme of the book, as recognized in one great commentary by the same name, is “No Falling Words” (cf. 21:45 and again in 23:14).

So, there is the kept promise of God about the land of the 2½ tribes. Plains, river valleys, rivers, a great mountain slope. This was premium real estate. They had been granted it almost a generation ago now, but only the wives and children had been able to begin settling down. Truly possessing the land had had to wait. And now they were coming back. Promises kept to the 2½.

And there is the kept promise of God about the land of the 9½ tribes. The reason the 2½ were free to come back now was that the land west of the Jordan had been conquered. In exchange for the land east of the Jordan, they had promised to fight with their brothers of the 9½. The fact that they can come back now shows that God has kept the promise of subduing the land on the west.

Which brings us, of course, to the promise kept by the 2½ tribes. Any measure of faithfulness by men is a gift from God. When it happens among the people of God, it is a display of His character in them. How many peoples in world (or church) history have made a contingent promise, but then kept it even after they really had an opportunity to take their share and cop out? Even man’s kept promises testify to God’s grace!

Finally, there is the most important kept promise of all. In all Scriptural likelihood, in the New Heavens and New Earth, there will be a region that corresponds to what was then the promised land. Even so, the land itself was not the point of the land! Rather, nearness to the Lord Himself was the point of the land. Levi got left out of the land promise (awwwww!) because he received its benefit far more directly in the priesthood (AHHHH!).

What do all believers ultimately receive? Better than the best of both!  New Heavens and New Earth, with the dwelling of God among His people. Adoption by God. Union with Christ. The indwelling of the Spirit. Promises kept!

When, in your life, do you take time to rest in, relish, and rejoice God’s kept promises?

Suggested songs: ARP180 “Christ Shall Have Dominion” or TPH89B “My Song Forever Shall Record”

190116FW Josh 13:1-6 - Our Fleeting Labor Established and Employed by Our Faithful Lord

An imperfect, but hopefully helpful, sample of a family worship lesson in Joshua 13:1-6.

2019.01.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 13:1-6

Read Joshua 13:1-6

Questions for Littles: What was Joshua’s condition in v1? What does the Lord tell him about himself? What does the Lord tell him about the land? What two people’s land still needed to be conquered (v2)? Where was the Geshurite land (3a)? To whom did the five regions/cities in 3b belong? What other lands needed finished clearing (v4-6a)? According to God, who would drive them (out)? What part does He assign to Joshua? 

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we’re coming to a transition point already. Basically, the conquest is over except for the paperwork and the closing remarks. And we’re halfway through the book.

That’s because Joshua isn’t really a book about military battles won.

It’s a book about power displayed. It began with “Moses, My servant, is dead.” It has proceeded to “You are old, advanced in years.” But at the beginning, it was still, “I will be with you.” And even here, it is still, “I will drive them out from before the children of Israel.” Seasons of church history, along with entire lives of believers, come and go. God’s power is forever.

It’s a book about promises kept. It began with a promise to Joshua that the Lord would be with him. Fast forward to a conquered and almost-completely possessed land, and now Joshua is old, advanced in years. And the Lord has been with him. The. Whole. Time. Not only that, but this land is an inheritance. 2.5 tribes got theirs on the other side of the Jordan. 9.5 remain on this side.

And certainly not because of any faithfulness on their part. Since Leah and Rachel got into their little maidservant-assisted arms race, the story of these 12 has pretty much been, “Really Lord? These are the fathers of the church? These are 12 of the 24 pillars of the congregation in glory?” It’s all grace. God’s gracious keeping of God’s gracious promises, because God is faithful. The entire theme of the book is found in 21:45 and again in 23:14—“Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”

And it’s a book about progress in redemption. Here are the people from whom Christ would come. His father David would eventually subdue the Philistines in a way that none of the judges ever could. Here is the land where Christ would live and die and rise again for us. And the land from which the good news of Christ crucified and risen would go out into all the world.

That’s ultimately what every book in the Bible is about: the praise of God’s glorious grace to sinners, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. And whether this is the day that you come to believe in Christ, or just one of many days in which you live and love and serve obediently through faith in Him, that’s what this day of your life is about too. The praise of God’s glorious grace to sinners, in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be faithful. Be obedient. But remember that it’s not by your faithfulness, but by the power and promises of God!

In what circumstances of your life right now (hint: just name whatever your circumstances are!) is God demonstrating His power and His faithfulness to His promises? 

Suggested songs: ARP90B “Teach Us to Count Our Days” or TPH90A “Lord, You Have Been Our Dwelling Place”

2019.01.09 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 12

Read Joshua 12

Questions for Littles: Upon which kind of Canaanite people, from each tribe, does chapter 12 focus (v1, 7)? On which side of the Jordan does chapter 12 begin (v1)? Which king gets two verses to himself in vv2-3? Which king gets two verses to himself in vv4-5? Who conquered these two (v6)? To whom was this land given? Who conquered the kings in the second half of the chapter (v7)? To whom are their territories given? Which peoples had these kings ruled (v8)? How many kings named in vv9-24? 

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we have a list of all of the kings that have been defeated—first by Moses, and then by Joshua. This is going to become even more significant when we get to the themes of the book of Judges, “there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”

So, on the one hand, Israel was different from these 34 kingdoms, because they did not have a king at all. Even Moses, who defeats the two great kings that get all of that “press” earlier in the chapter—even Moses is called “the servant of Yahweh” not once but twice in v6. Who defeats all these other kings? Not Israelite kings, but servants!

But, on the other hand, as we are going to find out, Israel turns out very sadly similar to these other kingdoms. Many people have put up in their homes the “as for me and my house” verse from 24:15. Very few put up in their homes v19: “But Joshua said to the people, ‘You cannot serve Yahweh for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.’”

So here, in chapter 12, when this massive list of kingdoms is given, the emphasis is not so much on the difference between Israel and these kingdoms but rather between Yahweh and their kings. Yahweh is perfectly good. Yahweh is keeping His threats of judgment against them. Yahweh is keeping His promises of inheritance to His people.

And Yahweh cannot be defeated. Be there ever so powerful kings as the ones conquered by Moses, be there ever so many kings as the ones conquered by Joshua, still Yahweh cannot be defeated. He cannot die. Who is a mighty God like Yahweh your God?

This is a necessary lesson for our age today. The enemies of the people of God are many. Powerful nations. Powerful religions. Powerful armies. But Christ cannot be defeated!

What/who seems threatening to you in this world? How do they compare to Christ? 

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage?” or TPH2A “Why Do Heathen Nations Rage?”

190102FW Josh 11:16-23 - Our Infinitely Faithful, Just, Merciful, and Generous Covenant God

An imperfect, but hopefully helpful, sample of a family worship lesson in Joshua 11:16-23

2019.01.02 Hopewell @Home ▫ Joshua 11:16-23

Read Joshua 11:16-23

Questions for Littles: What regions did Joshua take (v16)? What did he do with their kings (v17)? How quickly did this happen (v18)? Who made peace with Israel (v19)? What happened to all the others? Why would kings and peoples keep fighting Israel, even though they kept defeating everyone (v20)? Why would God harden their hearts? What did He decide that they would not receive? Whom else did Joshua utterly destroy with their cities (v21)? Where did some remain (v22)? How much of the land did Joshua take (v23)? And to whom did he give it? How was the dividing up of the land decided? According to Whose Word was all of this done?  

In the passage for this week’s Old Testament reading, we have a summary of Israel’s taking the land. There are several things that we see emphasized in these few verses.

vv16-19 emphasize how complete the possession of the land was. v20 explains why: because the Lord hardened their hearts. To many, that seems unfair. But that’s exactly the opposite of the message here. It’s not fairness that they fail to receive; rather, fairness is exactly what they get. Mercy is not fair. But mercy is what they receive.

Interestingly, the explanation for the entire Gibeonite situation is now exactly this: the Lord’s mercy! That’s the clear implication of v19 with v20. They serve as a reminder that they didn’t deserve to be there.

Even the Anakim (giants) are defeated, with the exception of the ancestors of Goliath (!!). So, while the Lord is keeping His promises to all of Israel (v23), there is still that reminder that final victory and inheritance have not yet come. It’s like when Hebrews 3-4 reminds us that Joshua did not bring them into the final and full rest of the Lord.

If mercy is what the Gibeonites have received, then how much more the Israelites have received! And yet, mercy is still what Israel continues to need.

Is this not the same with us, dear Christian? We have received the opposite of what we deserve. Instead of our destruction, the Lord has treated us as His own children and given us an inheritance! And yet, we’re not there yet… there’s plenty left to be delivered of to remind us that we are still, continuously in need of the Lord’s mercy and grace!

Where, in your life, do you take time to remember the mercy you have received, and the mercy you still need? What is a proper response to each of these?

Suggested songs: ARP32A-B “What Blessedness” or TPH429 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

181226FW Josh 11:1-15 - Shocking Grace

A very imperfect, but hopefully helpful, sample of a family worship session in Joshua 11:1-15, as we realize that what is really shocking in Joshua 11:1-15 isn't what happens to the Canaanites, but rather what happens to the Israelites