March 26, 2006 - Joshua 22-24 and Luke 3
This passage is very profound for all of us. It speaks of the importance of individual responsibility. There is only so much we can do in concert with others. The rest we must do ourselves with God's help. In fact, the real basis for our spiritual lives is our personal relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We may be part of a Christian family, a strong church, and a society guided by Christian principles, but the real test is what we do ourselves in our walk with God. We can learn from the groups, but we must practice what we have learned, or it is all for nothing. Let God speak to you about this today.
Chapter 22 is about the tribes returning to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Joshua challenges them to stay close to the Lord, to love Him, and to serve Him. (v.5). Then, he sent them off to their homes and loved ones who were left behind. They saw the seriousness of the situation, so they built a large altar on the side of the Jordan River to remind those who would come after them that they were a part of Israel even though they lived east of the river. They knew it was up to them to stay true to God and at the same time maintain contact with Israel. The other tribes came to the wrong conclusion when they heard of the altar. They were ready to fight over their rebellion. Assumptions can cause problems like that, and groups of people have problems like that. However, if we remain faithful to God, He works out these problems as He did in this case.
Chapters 23 and 24 are Joshua's final address to Israel as their leader. He challenges them to follow the Lord only and to totally forsake idols of any kind. God had given them rest from their enemies as a group, but now they had to go live it out on a daily basis as individuals. Yes, they were still a part of the group. They still had families and friends to help them, but the emphasis was on personal responsibility. What would they do? They said they would obey God. We will see what happened as we continue reading the Old Testament. We all have that same decision to make. Will we follow God and love Him only as we should? It is up to us. No one can do it for us.
Luke 3 tells us about the ministry of John, the Baptist. It follow this theme to a certain extent. The people were Israelites. They were descendants of Abraham, but that was not enough. They had to be faithful to the Lord and bear fruit, or they were worthless. They would be burned up, if there was no fruit of their relationship with the Lord. He called the people to repent of sin. He called them to a serious personal relationship with God. How is your personal walk with God today? How are you applying what you have learned in the groups of which you are a part? God is looking to see if you will live by what you have learned and live in victory over the enemies of life. He has given you rest, now will you live resting in Him? It is up to you and me.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 1-3 and Luke 4:1-30.
Chapter 22 is about the tribes returning to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan. Joshua challenges them to stay close to the Lord, to love Him, and to serve Him. (v.5). Then, he sent them off to their homes and loved ones who were left behind. They saw the seriousness of the situation, so they built a large altar on the side of the Jordan River to remind those who would come after them that they were a part of Israel even though they lived east of the river. They knew it was up to them to stay true to God and at the same time maintain contact with Israel. The other tribes came to the wrong conclusion when they heard of the altar. They were ready to fight over their rebellion. Assumptions can cause problems like that, and groups of people have problems like that. However, if we remain faithful to God, He works out these problems as He did in this case.
Chapters 23 and 24 are Joshua's final address to Israel as their leader. He challenges them to follow the Lord only and to totally forsake idols of any kind. God had given them rest from their enemies as a group, but now they had to go live it out on a daily basis as individuals. Yes, they were still a part of the group. They still had families and friends to help them, but the emphasis was on personal responsibility. What would they do? They said they would obey God. We will see what happened as we continue reading the Old Testament. We all have that same decision to make. Will we follow God and love Him only as we should? It is up to us. No one can do it for us.
Luke 3 tells us about the ministry of John, the Baptist. It follow this theme to a certain extent. The people were Israelites. They were descendants of Abraham, but that was not enough. They had to be faithful to the Lord and bear fruit, or they were worthless. They would be burned up, if there was no fruit of their relationship with the Lord. He called the people to repent of sin. He called them to a serious personal relationship with God. How is your personal walk with God today? How are you applying what you have learned in the groups of which you are a part? God is looking to see if you will live by what you have learned and live in victory over the enemies of life. He has given you rest, now will you live resting in Him? It is up to you and me.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Judges 1-3 and Luke 4:1-30.