Benjamin is so lucky that he got “Bethel” where God gave vision in the dream to Jacob, and Jebusite city (that is “Jerusalem”), which became the Holy land of Israel. -(Gen 28:17) How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate
Continue readingThe tribe of Joshua wanted an easy answer to their question, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, whom all along the Lord has blessed?” (v. 14). Instead of giving an easy answer, Joshua affirmed and challenged
Continue readingThe Canaanites were considered strong (Numbers 13). However, the same Canaanites have been made to do forced labor (v. 10). I’m not supporting forced labor neither would God support but I’m amazed by God’s doing. With God all things are possible. Nothing really stands out in this chapter and I
Continue readingIt’s easier to stayed united during a war than after it. There is still a lot of unconquered land but they are holding it together. We don’t know if they satisfied everyone’s personal preferences but they certainly did satisfy Caleb’s. An extremely difficult job looks easy because of the trust
Continue readingEven though it feels like the Israelites lived in a war culture it’s apparent that they lived in a God culture too. When Caleb requests land he ties everything to God. “…the Lord said” (v. 6), “I…followed the Lord…wholeheartedly” (v. 8), “the Lord promised” (v. 10), “the Lord helping me,
Continue readingHow to occupy the futureAfter watching action movies seeing a documentary of land survey is dull. But what if the land is your father’s gift to you and your brothers as inheritance. Joshua is old ( that is what happens to all men) and there is plenty of land to
Continue readingThirty one kings in such a small territory. Though they were small kingdoms, they were the only kings on earth who waged war against King YAHWEH. They kind of chose wrong battle. We should know how to choose our battles. Glad that it’s over, but I’m not able to celebrate
Continue readingIf we forget the total destruction and merciless extermination (v. 20) of the people of Canaan and just focus on what God did for the Israelites, it is a pretty big miracle. A bunch of nomads taking over more established kingdoms with ease and striking fear in their hearts. Then
Continue readingThe Israelites captured a whole chunk of land in one campaign because the Lord fought for them (v. 42) and thanks to the deceiving Gibeonites for being the cause of this campaign. In Joshua 1, first God encouraged Joshua twice by saying “Be strong and courageous”(vv. 6, 9). Then in
Continue readingKing Yaweh has entered canaan. Joshua made a treaty and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath (v. 15). That’s a functional democracy. Not sure how the leaders were selected in the first place but they definitely represented all the tribes. Unfortunately, they made a decision without consulting
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