Prayer: Father, I long to see Your plans revealed through the eyes of Joshua. Give me understanding of the importance of what happened long ago and what it means to me today. Amen.
Reading: Joshua 15 key: vs. 13
“Now to Caleb son of Jephunneh he gave a portion among the children of Judah, at the command of Adonai to Joshua—Kiriath-arba, which is Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).” TLV
Attention: When I was a youngster, we used to play a game of baseball called workup. It was a way to select teams by designating perhaps the two best players as captains and allowing the captains to select the teams by alternating selections. A coin might be tossed to determine first choice, or we used to toss a bat, requiring one captain to catch the bat, then the other captain places his hand above the other captain, alternating hands till you got to the top of the bat. Whoever placed their hand over the top of the knob got to choose first.
Over the next several days, I encourage you to observe the allotment of land and how Adonai through Joshua, providentially completed the process. We will observe that the process of casting lots, only applied to those tribes which were not awarded land providentially or chose land outside of the promised land, before they crossed the Jordan. That is not to say that Adonai’s will was not effectuated by casting lots, but certain people and a tribe were given priority.
According to the text, we see that for his faithfulness Caleb was given land before the apportionment. The tribes of Dan, Reuben and half tribe of Manasseh chose land east of the Jordan. The tribe of Levi was not given land but would be provided land to live on within each tribe as the tribe of Levi served as priests to the Hebrew nation. We are told that their inheritance was Adonai, not land (Joshua 13:33).
The first son of Israel to receive land was Judah. Why Judah? Traditionally, one would think that the first-born son, Reuben, should receive blessing and land before his brothers. If we look back to Genesis 49:8-12, we witness the prophetic blessing of Jacob (later named Israel) gave each of his sons. In Jacob’s blessing and documented in Matthew 1:2, we see the genealogical line which led to Messiah Yeshua.
I have witnessed and experienced the providence of God in my own life. Judah was divinely selected, blessed and prophesied over and became the first to receive land. The providence of God in action.
Action: I choose to embrace and accept the providence of God in my life.
Yield: I choose to yield to God’s amazing providence at work in my life.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in the providential outworking of God’s master plan.
Relationship: I choose to stay in close relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, I love the providential nature of Your Sovereignty. My family and I have benefitted from Your providence. I am grateful. Amen.
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19
“My God will fulfill every need of yours according to the riches of His glory in Messiah Yeshua.” TLV
Music Video: United Pursuit—Providence https://youtu.be/xvaR_Kq8rm8
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”