Joshua 15:1-63
Joshua 15 is a detailed description of the inheritance of land for the tribe of Judah. As we continue through the book of Joshua we’ll see that the other tribes don’t get nearly as much attention to the particulars as Judah does. This may be a glimpse of the special place Judah would have in the history of Israel and even in the world, it’s where Jerusalem would be and it’s from the tribe of Judah that our Savior would be born.
We get some particulars as to the inheritance of Caleb, who sure enough, is able to drive out the sons of Anak (giants) and possess the “mountain” he asked for (Joshua 14:12; 15:14).
And you have to love Caleb’s spirit when it comes to finding a husband for his daughter (that was the parent’s responsibility back then) watch what happens:
Joshua 15:16–17 (NKJV) “And Caleb said, ‘He who attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give Achsah my daughter as wife.’ 17 So Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it; and he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.”
There’s no doubt about the fact that Caleb could have conquered Kirjath Sepher and taken it himself, but he was looking for a worthy and courageous son for his daughter – Ohtniel met the match.
And then there’s Caleb’s daughter, Achsah, you know what they say, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” She was like her dad in that she asked her husband for permission to ask her father for more land. She asked and she received (John 16:24; 1 Chronicles 4:9-10).
Joshua 15:19 (NKJV) “She answered, ‘Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.’ So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.”
We read the many cities and landmarks that identified the borders and boundaries of Judah, and then at the conclusion of this chapter we read about that one city they could not conquer; perhaps you’ve heard of it before – Jerusalem (Joshua 15:63). This was a city that could only be completely conquered under the leadership of King David, who was symbolic of none other that the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Chronicles 11:6-7).
Luke 18:18-43
In spite of the fact that the Rich Young Ruler had everything this world had to offer, he was well aware of the hole in his heart. Somehow he was drawn to Jesus, maybe he’d heard His words or seen His works, so the Rich Young Ruler musters up the courage to ask Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life.
He referred to Jesus as a “Good Teacher,” but it’s imperative to know that Jesus is infinitely more than that – and that’s what Jesus tried to share with him. Jesus brought up the point, no one is good but God, and if He was good (which He is, see John 10:11) then He’s God. If the Rich Young Ruler had realized the deity of Christ, he would have been a lot more likely to follow the Lord…wouldn’t you say?
I like what Sandy Adams said about this fellow, “The Rich Young Ruler would have been a deacon in most churches. He had all the right qualifications – manners, morals, even money. The one thing he lacked was a heart sold out to God.” Pastor Chuck said this about the R.Y.R., “He lacked having God at the center of his being. What was at the center of His being? His riches. Whatever it is in a person’s life that is keeping him from following Jesus Christ, that is the thing that the Lord will lay His finger on.”
Unless he came to his senses down the road, the Rich Young Ruler lost the opportunity – not only of a lifetime, but all eternity. I’m reminded of the words of Jim Elliott who said, “No man is a fool to give up that which he cannot keep, in order to gain that which he cannot lose.” Peter and the guys had left all to follow the Lord, and they would be rewarded both now and forever.
Jesus tried to give the guys a word about the cross and resurrection, but their carnality, hard-hearts, and preconceived ideas blinded their eyes. Speaking of blinded eyes, blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46) is a perfect picture of praying persistently and in humility. In the Greek language the first cry is fairly normal. When the people tried to silence him, he cried (prayed) even louder. The second cry is with passion and intensity. Do we pray like that? Jesus is not too busy to answer our prayers, the only question is, are we too busy to pray earnestly? He’s ready to restore “vision” to anyone who asks.
Psalm 86:1-17
This is another one of those Psalms when David was on the run.
David’s most significant times of running were when King Saul hunted him down, and during his son Absalom’s insurrection. In both cases, generally speaking, David was not to be blamed, but I thought it was interesting that David still prayed for forgiveness – something God is ready and willing to do for us:
Psalm 86:5 (NKJV) “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
One thing I’ve learned about my own life, is even in those times when I might feel like I’ve done nothing wrong, I still need to lean on God’s grace and ask Him to wash me of my sin – for no man is sinless.
David declares the holiness of God – there’s none like Him (Psalm 86:10).
David asks the LORD to work within him and he gives us some wonderful things to request:
Psalm 86:11 (NKJV) “Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.”
Teach me Your way, Your Word O LORD. Unite my heart so that it’s not divided in any way, may it be ALL yours!
The mob was after him (Psalm 86:14) they hated him (Psalm 86:17) but God would save him.
I wonder if it had anything to do with David’s prayers and his constant cries to God for help?
Proverbs 13:9-10
V. 9 – The kids sing that song, “This little light of mine…I’m gonna let it shine…” and the light of the righteous, shines brightly, even joyfully.
But the lamp (light) of the wicked dies, it’s put out, and it’s so sad, because the world we live in is so dark – we need God’s light to shine through us!
Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV) “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
Matthew 5:16 (NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Or course our source of light is Jesus (John 8:12; 9:5).
V. 10 – We need to know, that wherever there’s strife, that pride has reared its ugly head. We all have it within us; because of the fact that we’re fallen, we’re prideful…and nothing good comes from pride. Bible teachers tell us that pride is actually the root of all sin, it’s what was found in Lucifer when he fell. Whenever I fall into any type of sin, I can always trace it to some form of pride.
By God’s grace and with His help we can swallow our pride, we can be humble and open to correction and counsel. This is life-changing, to the point where it’s not a life of strife, we can be nice and open to advice (with the well advised there’s wisdom).
If you have any questions or comments on today’s reading, or you’d like to share something the Lord showed you, feel free to leave a reply below. I’d love to hear from you as we grow forward in 2021.
Awesome message… may we daily confess and give thanks to our Lord for His loving kindness and mercy…let our light shine for the one who gave us life AMEN.