Joshua showed real brilliance in his military strategy as he conquered the land of Canaan. After first capturing Jericho and gaining a foothold in the land and revealing the power of God, he gained the hill country around Bethel and Gibeon. Soon, he had subdued all the cities of the north, and then the towns in the lowlands. In all Canaan, 321 kings and their cities had been defeated.
After seven years of battle, Israel had gained control of the land and Joshua dismissed the army. The land was then to be divided and allotted to the tribes, as it was Israel's earthly inheritance from the Lord. But Joshua reminded them that Israel also had a spiritual inheritance which would continue to encourage the people to remain faithful to God. To this day, people who are faithful to God will enjoy their own spiritual inheritance which God intends.
Much of the land was still unconquered at this point, but God's plan was to go ahead and include it in the divisions among the tribes. God's desire was that it would eventually be conquered by the Israelites, so they would still have to go to battle and fight for the land. The land that they had conquered, did not become fully theirs as the Israelites did not fully take over the land. They did not drive out all its inhabitants and the presence of the remaining pagan peoples of Canaan caused unending difficulties for the Israelites. They allowed sinful practices to be nurtured by their neighbors, and soon God's people would find them attractive, and God's plan would be broken or weakened. As the Jewish people found these sins attractive, God's purpose was overlooked, many times to the destruction of a family. Gradually, these sins hurt the faith of the people.
God's hope for the people of the world has not changed from the days of Canaan. There have been many Joshua's over the centuries and many Canaans. Each time there has been hope for the people. Each time there has been sinfulness. No time has there been perfection. But, there has always been..God!
God has never failed us. He is perfect in design and in actions. And He is always there. He sent His Son, His only Son who had been with Him at the beginning of our world, to teach, to heal, and finally to die on a cross. This same Son who rose from His grave as no person has ever done before or since. This same Son whom we celebrate at our Eastertime. This Son we call Jesus.
Jesus, the Promised One, is with us always,
Thanks Be To God!
Jo INMN
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