Joshua Ch. 14.
Theme: Wholly Follow the Lord!
Vast Inheritance Vs. 1.
They inherited "Countries". God has given us His Son whom He has appointed Heir of ALL THINGS! Ref. Hebrews 1:2. "How shall he not with Him freely give us all things" Romans 8:32.
Moses the man of God. Vs. 6.
Once again is the mention of Moses being a "man of God" which means that there were major issues panning out in life that were "OF GOD". How urgent is such reality for us.
"The Lord said" Vs. 6.
Caleb doesn't quote what Moses said but what the Lord said to Moses. Caleb held to his heart the Word of God. How wonderful it is to hear the Lord's voice. Jesus has promised that his sheep will hear his voice John 10:27. When the Lord spoke to Ezekiel the voice of the Lord authorised the Spirit to set Ezekiel upon his feet. Ref. Ezekiel 2:1-2. We become mobilised as we hear His voice. Further to John 10:27; Jesus also said as his sheep hear they also follow.
The Heart of the Matter. Vs. 7.
The Heart is where it all must happen. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness" Romans 10:10. The Lord looks on the heart and in an honest and good heart The Word and Spirit work. Ref.Luke 8:15 & 1 Samuel 16:7.
Living Direct. Vs. 10.
Caleb knew the blessing of the Lord keeping him. Did The Lord keep Job? Yes indeed! The Lord always keeps and preserves us for Life though there may be reductions in His dealings to make room for His righteous Blessing.
The lord our Strength. 14:11.
Look to the Lord to strengthen you in any and every need you face. David said, "The Lord is the strength of my Life" [Ps. 27:1.] Against all odds the Lord strengthened Caleb and He can strengthen you whatever the need.
Mountain of Inheritance! 14:12.
Mountains make us realise the power we haven't got, and turns our heart toward the Lord to carry on under his direction and help. Caleb faced a mountain of "Giant" difficulties because the sons of Anak were there but Caleb's trust was in the Power of the Lord. [Ref. Judges 1:20.]
Christ the Power of God. 14:12.
"The lord with me, then I shall be able" Caleb new the only source of overcoming power and blessing. Paul said the same thing, "The Lord Jesus Christ hath enabled me" [1 Timothy 1:12.] Jesus said in John 15 "without me ye can do nothing". Caleb in this verse added "as the Lord said". The power of the Lord is available to us if our faith and expectation is according to His Word. The Word of God is meant to have the reins of our heart. Hebrews 4:12. By this action of the Word we are kept open to the Lord.
The Blessing of Hebron. 14:13.
*Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah are buried there (Gen. 23:19; 25:9; 35:29; 49:31; 50:13). Holman Bible Dictionary. Muslims have ruled the city since 635AD. Hebron is the place where the Lord invites Abraham "to arise and walk through the land in the length and breadth of it" and he then built an Alter in thankfulness and worship.[Genesis 13:17-18.] Hebron means "Association" or "Fellowship" "Communion". We are "called unto the fellowship of His dear Son" [ 1 Cor. 1:9.] What an "association" to share in the fullness of Christ. [Col. 2:9-10]
Wholly Follow Jesus. 14:8-9.
Caleb and Joshua were the only 2 out of the original approx. 3.25 Million that made the Exodus out of Egypt to enter into the promised Land because they wholly followed the Lord. Though you may falter in the race; take up the reality that blessed David and say with him, "Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all His Benefits" [Ps. 103:1.] When you wholly follow the God of the Universe and all creation, there is no shortfall on Great riches!
Jesus Loves You.
God Bless.
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¶ The Following are associated verses referred to or Quoted in the text.
Romans 8:32 (KJV) 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Ezekiel 2:2 (KJV) 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. Romans 10:10 (KJV) 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Luke 8:15 (KJV) 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) 7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. Judges 1:20 (KJV) 20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.
1 Timothy 1:12 (KJV) 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV) 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Genesis 13:17-18 (KJV) 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.
¶ HEBRON (hee' brahn) Place name and personal name meaning "association" or "league." A major city in the hill country of Judah about nineteen miles south of Jerusalem and fifteen miles west of the Dead Sea. The region is over 3,000 feet above sea level. The surrounding area has an abundant water supply, and its rich soil is excellent for agriculture. According to archaeological research the site has been occupied almost continuously since about 3300 B.C.
After his separation from Lot, Abraham moved to Hebron. At that time the area was known as Mamre and was associated with the Amorites (Gen. 13:18; 14:13; 23:19). Abraham apparently remained at Mamre until after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. When Sarah died, the place was called Kirjath-arba; and the population was predominantly Hittite (Gen. 23:2; Josh. 14:15; 15:54; Judg. 1:10). From them Abraham purchased a field with a burial plot inside a nearby cave. Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah were buried there (23:19; 25:9; 35:29; 49:31; 50:13).
Four centuries later, when Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan, the tribe of Anak lived in Hebron. According to Numbers 13:22 Hebron was "built" seven years prior to Zoan, the Egyptian city of Tanis. Archaeological evidence suggests that the reference was to Tanis' establishment as the Hyksos capital around 1725 B.C. and not its beginning. Indeed both cities already were inhabited long before 2000 B.C. Therefore, the date may indicate that it was rebuilt by the Hyksos at that time, or it may specify when Hebron became a Canaanite city. After the Israelite conquest of Canaan, Hebron was given to Caleb (Josh. 14:9-13). It also became a city of refuge (Josh. 20:7). Later, Samson put the gates of Gaza on a hill outside of Hebron (Judg. 16:3).
After the death of Saul, David settled in the city (2 Sam. 2:3) and made it his capital during the seven years he ruled only Judah (1 Kings 2:11). His son, Absalom, launched an abortive revolt against David from Hebron (2 Sam. 15:10). Between 922 and 915 B.C. Rehoboam fortified the city as a part of Judah's defense network (2 Chron. 11:5-10). According to inscriptions found on pottery fragments, royal pottery was made in the city between 800 and 700 B.C.
When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 587 B.C., the Edomites captured Hebron. It was not recaptured until Judas Maccabeus sacked the city in 164 B.C. Although Herod the Great erected pretentious structures there, no mention of the city is made in the New Testament. The city was raided by both Jewish revolutionaries and Roman legions in A.D. 68 during the Jewish Revolt.
Hebron is still an important city today. Except for during the Crusades, the Muslims have ruled the city since A.D. 635. It is venerated by the Arabs because of the tombs of the patriarchs.
Holman Bible Dictionary.
1 Corinthians 1:9 (KJV) 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
Vine's Words: Communicate, Communication, Communion, Contribution, Fellowship
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
Psalms 103:1 (KJV) 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. |