I appreciate you for taking time out of your busy lives to join me in fellowship with the Lord as we open his Word for the reading and studying of Joshua. It amazes me to think of fellowship. Fellowship has never been constrained to the physical position of individuals; we do not have to be right next to one another when we are ion fellowship. By thinking of one another with a similar purpose in mind, we draw together regardless of our physical boundaries. So, though maybe you are reading this knowing you will not be meeting with our Thursday Night group, know that you are still present with us and we are with you. Radical fellowship and community is something that is so important for the world in these coming days. Not only have we been separated and isolated for months because of the coronavirus, but racial conflict has once again risen it’s ugly head. In a time that could lead to so much division, may the believer be given the opportunity for radical hospitality and open fellowship with everyone. I pray that this week you are given the blessed opportunity to minister to one of those who feel broken, lost, or frustrated. May your light shine as you show them Christ with your arms held open. 

Last week we began to dive into the dispersing of the tribes of Israel as each tribe was given an inheritance to the Promised Land. It is such a significant time for the Israelites who have been waiting for the fulfillment of the covenant of Abraham. They had dreamed of this land for so long, gone through slavery and a wandering in the desert and war, but now it was theirs. How powerful is it to know that, for us, Christ has given us a promise of an even greater inheritance. This promise is like the first that it gives us a home, peace, and the presence of the Lord. But the presence of the Lord is unveiled where we are able to experience the fullness of his glory due to our covering of Christ. Amen. This week we are continuing to look at the allotments of Israel. As we do so, think of your own inheritance and use this time to thank God. Let’s go through these chapters and break them down. 

• 15- We see the allotment that was made for Judah. But in the heart of this land, Jerusalem, Judah allows the Jebusites to remain. This foreshadows issues to come with immorality and idolatry. 

• 16- We get to see that Joseph, Manasseh, and Ephraim have now received their inheritance. We see an issue beginning to surface, however, with the people who had once lived in the land are allowed to continue to stay their. Although the Canaanites who lived there were forced to do labor for the Israelites moving in, their idea, immorality, and idolatry persisted and pervaded Israelite culture. 

• 17- The daughters of Manasseh are given an inheritance, causing a bit of a stir with the tribe of Joseph who wants a larger inheritance. Joshua tells them that if they want more land, they are free to take the wooded hill country as long as they drive out the people who live there. 

• 18- We see that for some of Israel, it seemed like there was little rush to take their inheritance. The land would be given through the casting of lots. Benjamin is the first tribe described of the seven tribes left to get their land.  

Here are some key takeaways from these chapters:

Drive out the people: We see a foreshadowing of an upcoming problem. God has told the Israelites to drive the Canaanites out of the land so that Israel is not persuaded to follow others gods or fall into immorality. But the Israelites do not follow that command. This is going to cause problems down the line. Too many times when Christians are walking in their faith, they allow other gods or immoral people to hang around and influence their lives. We all need to make sure that we are removing these distractions from our walk. We can not be divided in whom we serve. 

Slow to inherit: What is taking the Israelites so long? If you were just given the deed to a new land, wouldn’t you be excited and ready to go? Not much is really holding them back. But these tribes had grown comfortable with the bare minimum. The promise was so good, that just getting a taste of it had satisfied them. I pray that we do not become lazy in the claiming of our inheritance. The author of Hebrews speaks about this with a discussion on spiritual milk versus food in Hebrew 5. Claim your inheritance and commit yourself to the Lord. Grow in the faith and do not remain as infants.