Readings for today: Joshua 13-21, Psalms 68
It’s tempting to dismiss today’s reading or just skim it over without feeling like there’s anything to take away. However, that would be a mistake. This passage is extremely relevant in our world today as it forms the basis for the claim of modern day Israel to the land. This is at the heart of the conflict between the Jewish and Palestinian people. Both lay ancestral claim to the land. Both believe they have a divine right to live there. Both believe the other has stolen what is rightfully theirs. When I was in Israel a few years back, I had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time with our guide who was Arab by ethnicity, Palestinian by nationality, Israeli by citizenship, and Christian by faith. He offered a unique perspective on this issue and I learned a great deal from him. For example, he shared with me that many Palestinians still carry the keys to their homes from which they were displaced decades ago in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948. At the same time, he shared with me that many of his Israeli friends have lost so many loved ones over the years in the many different battles initiated by the surrounding Arab nations. He expressed great frustration that the leaders of both the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government both seemed unwilling to make the compromises necessary to make peace and he lamented the many, many lost opportunities over the years.
Regardless of your point of view on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the most important takeaway from today’s reading comes at the very end of chapter 21. “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:43-45 CSB) Now, once again, this is a bit of ancient near east hyperbole. Joshua wants to make it clear God is always faithful. He never fails to deliver on what He promises. At the same time, the people of Israel actually don’t quite complete the conquest in the way God had designed as the Book of Judges will make clear. And this reinforces yet again the biblical truth that God always works His perfect sovereign will through His imperfect people. He simply refuses to back off the creation mandate (Genesis 1:28) and work apart from His chosen people.
God is still working through His imperfect chosen people. And the borders of the “Promised Land” have now been expanded to include the entire world. Jesus promises His followers will inherit the earth. His Kingdom will encompass all of creation. Our legacy will be eternal. And He calls us and sends us to take His gospel to the very ends of the earth, starting right outside our front door.
Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 22-24, Psalms 69