Today's Reading:

Joshua 11
Joshua 12
Joshua 13
Joshua 14

At age 85, Caleb stood before Joshua to claim he was ready to fight. From seeing Hebron with the other spies, Caleb reported back in full faith. Because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly, Moses swore an oath that Caleb would inherit the very land he spied out. Caleb was confident that if the Lord was with him, He would drive them out just as God promised. This was a beautiful reminder that God kept His promise, He did not forget about Caleb. When God delays in giving what is promised, He is not denying it. He is marking the way and preparing you for the test. God’s timing has a purpose, and it is often about mercy, growth, protection and appointed time. Caleb waited 45 years to have fulfillment. Where in your life do you feel God stretching you right now? Are you tempted to give up on God’s timing? If you trusted in His “not yet,” do you still feel God is good during the waiting times?

 

In yesterday’s reading, Joshua continued to conquer the Promised Land that God gave to Israel. Joshua started with Jericho and Ai, and now the five southern Amorite Kings were defeated. This made Jabin, the king of Hazor, very nervous. Hazor gathered many from the north to form an alliance. God told Joshua not to be afraid, as He would hand them over slain. They would have victory. These northern kings came from Madon, Shimron, Akshaph, and across the mountains, valleys, and foothills, even towards Mount Hermon (Think of all the area from north-west of the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea, north of Tyre). The alliance was huge, “as numerous as the sand on the seashore,” including horses and chariots. God promised victory and told Joshua to burn the chariots and “hamstring the horses.” The cutting of the tendon at the rear legs, behind the knee, would cripple the horses and prevent them from being used in battle.

Joshua and the army marched north to give a surprise attack these northern kings at the Waters of Merom (this was a small lake north of the Sea of Galilee). Joshua attacked and pursued the remaining enemies farther north towards Sidon, and no one escaped. The northern kings thought by joining together with horses and chariots that they would be able to take on Israel, but God had other plans. Joshua went back down to Hazor since that was the city that began the northern alliance and burnt it to the ground and slew the king. Israel took the plunder and livestock but destroyed everything else per God’s command to Moses. They took over the vast land except for the Hivites in Gibeon due to the earlier peace treaty. God had hardened those northern kings’ hearts as to not make any treaty with Israel, therefore the land was purged without mercy and ensure total judgment. Joshua wiped out the remaining Anakites (giants, the Nephilim descendants from Numbers 13).

Chapter 12 was a list of the 31 defeated kings from the west side of the Jordan River including the two major on the east side: Sihon and Og that were defeated under Moses’ leadership. These were necessary to conquer the Promised Land. The list honors both Moses and Joshua as faithful servants and gave credit to God for keeping His promise and for the victories. Three areas were not completely destroyed- Gaza, Gath and Ashdod and this will come back to haunt Israel.

Joshua was now old, likely over 100, and God said that there was still land to claim. He promised to drive out the remaining people Himself and told Joshua to divvy up the land among the 9-½ tribes that did not have an allotment yet. The Transjordan two and a half tribes (Reubenites, Gadites, and half Tribe of Manasseh) already divided the east side of the Jordan River. It was like God had said- I get you are old, but can you do this one last thing? God reminded Joshua that there were still pockets of land that needed to be conquered. The five Philistine areas of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron were to be conquered as God Himself would drive them out.

Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal heads were given land on the west side of the Jordan. Caleb, who was a spy with Joshua during the wilderness period (Numbers 13), still had fight left in him at the age of 85. The land of Judah was the largest land allotment due to the size of the tribe. Caleb, being part of this tribe, reminded Joshua of the promise Moses gave him 45 years prior. Caleb, feeling strong, wanted to battle the Anakites himself in the land of Judah to take over the city of Hebron that was promised to him all those years ago. He said God had kept him alive through the wilderness, wars, and into old age; therefore, the city was his reward for faithfulness. The promises were being fulfilled by God to those who showed faithfulness and trust in Him fully. The land was given time to rest and God rewarded those who obeyed."

Today's Discussion question: 

Caleb waited 45 years to have fulfillment. Where in your life do you feel God stretching you right now? Are you tempted to give up on God’s timing? If you trusted in His “not yet”, do you still feel God is good during the waiting times?

 
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