Joshua 19:1-20:9
Here we read the details of the inheritance of the final six tribes of Israel. We read first of Simeon (if you examine the map below, you’ll notice that Simeon’s lot was within that of Judah’s). And then there’s Zeublun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan (if you examine the map below you’ll notice that Dan’s lot was small and least desirable). Over time, Dan struggled with its inheritance and fought for land in the northern region of Israel (see Judges 18).
We read the summary statement of Chapter 19:
Joshua 19:51 (NKJV) “These were the inheritances which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel divided as an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. So they made an end of dividing the country.”
You may have noticed the location for the casting of lots was at Shiloh, “before the LORD.” Shiloh would be the initial spot for the Tabernacle, centrally located for the convenience of the entire nation. When the children of Israel camped in the wilderness, the Tabernacle was also located at the center/heart of the camp. May God’s presence always be at the very center of our lives.
After all the tribes received their inheritance, Joshua also received his. Warren Wiersbe comments, “Joshua saw to it that the distribution to the tribes was completed before he received his own inheritance (19:49–50). The city of Timnath was located in a mountainous region where life would not be easy. Joshua could have chosen the finest place in the land, but he put others first and let them take the best (1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1–4).”
“Casting lots was a method used by the Jews of the Old Testament and by the Christian disciples prior to Pentecost to determine the will of God. Lots could be sticks with markings, stones with symbols, etc., which were thrown into a small area, and then the result was interpreted.” – (see full article at Carm.org)
Luke 19:28-48
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of Daniel 9:24-25. After the command to restore and build Jerusalem, which took place on March 14, 445 BC – until the day the Messiah officially presented Himself to Israel, it had been 69 “weeks,” 69-7-year periods, 173,880 days, and that takes us all the way to April 6, 32 AD, the very DayJesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (also a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9). Whenever a king rode into town on a donkey, it would always be as an offering of peace.
The religious leaders wanted Jesus to rebuke the people for their words of praise, connecting Him to Psalm 118:26, but it had to be done and declared. Psalm 118 was a Messianic Psalm and these people were only fulfilling prophecy, pointing to the Messiah – if they didn’t, the stones themselves would cry out!
Jesus wept because although the crowds were rejoicing, He knew their cumulative voice would turn against Him. He was then crucified, rejected by the Jews and in 70 AD the Roman General Titus would surround Jerusalem and kill over a million Jews. They had missed their “Day” (Luke 19:42). God weeps over lost sinners who reject His mercy and grace.
Jesus cleansed the Temple; they had turned it into a money-making business and had completely forgotten that it was God’s house and was to be a place of prayer (Isaiah 56:7) for all nations.
Psalm 88:1-18
We’re not sure on the exact background to this Psalm, but it’s one of the few Psalms that doesn’t end on a good note.
Reading this Psalm takes me back to the physical ailments, prayers, and complaints of Job.
Heman was on the verge of death, near the grave, in the lowest pits; he felt God’s wrath and affliction heavy upon him. Even his friends were far away in every respect:
Psalm 88:8 (NKJV) “You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out.”
Heman prays that God would hear his prayer. In spite of the fact that he saw no relief in sight, he kept praying. He called and cried out daily to the LORD (Psalm 88:9).
His whole life was tough (Psalm 88:15) but he just kept praying:
Psalm 88:13 (NKJV) “But to You I have cried out, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer comes before You.
This is a heartbreaking Psalm to read, but we know that there are many out there who feel this way. May they do as Heman did – keep praying, please do not lose heart.
Proverbs 13:12-14
V. 12 – Deferred means to put off for a later time; postponed. David had to wait over 10 years, Joseph 13 years, Abraham 25 years, and Moses 40 years. God’s delays are not God’s denials.
V. 13-14 – Do I esteem the Word, or think little of it? If have a healthy fear and reverence for God’s Word, there will be a reward (Deuteronomy 5:29; Psalm 19:11; Isaiah 66:2).
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.