Joshua Chapter 19 Verses 1 – 9

•I love the way that reads. “The share of Judah was too much for them.” Judah was the warrior. He was the one that would assume the responsibility in a hard situation, (we see that in Genesis 37). He was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah but he was the one that took the lead in terms of the affairs of the family and Genesis 43 says that he, “prevailed above his brethren.” His name literally means, “praise,” or “thankful.” He’s the one that persuaded mercy when his brothers wanted to kill Joseph. He’s the one that protected Benjamin and begged for his life when they were negotiating for wheat with Egypt which led to the brother’s reuniting…he is the one that would advance, even in the hardest of situations he would guide others and serve others and look what God says, what God does…, “The share of Judah was too much for them.”

•He and his family had all that they needed and more. To the point that they raise no issue with some of their cities being reassigned to his brother and his family. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” and Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…and all of these things will be added to you…” You won’t have enough, you will have too much. Your name will be praise and thankful and you will be so very ready to share, desperate to give…mindful of the needs of others, protector of the young, leader of the brethren and provider for those in need…your heart yearns for those things, man…whether you know it or not…

Joshua Chapter 19 Verses 10 – 16

•Third lot, twelve cities…significant numbers there and one of the cities…Bethlehem. And although not named here these cities also included a particular area of land that would later be called Nazareth where Jesus would spend much of his time and life and this description of land also contains Mount Tabor which most scholars believe is the mount on which Jesus was transfigured. Also the coast of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached so many sermons and performed many miracles. Just thinking on these things is edifying to me and us in our faith…

Joshua Chapter 10 Verses 17 – 51

•A few things to note here. Joshua was the greatest man of all Israel. Most likely the eldest…certainly the elder in terms of authority and he could have taken the first portion and the best portion however what we see here is that he is served last. And notice his portion was not assigned to him by casting lots but by the Word of the Lord and even what’s more, verse 49 there says, “The children of Israel gave,” it to him…

•He wasn’t content to discuss his own interests until the he saw them all settled and even then, he would not take it to himself without the consent and the grant of his people. And finally, one last profound point to perpend…where Joshua goes, he must build. We see that there in verse 50. While others took over prepared cities and fully furnished houses, Joshua must build for himself…

•All of this speaks of Jesus and how He came to us and how He provides for us…He came not in pomp but in poverty, with no place to rest His own head and yet He provides rest for us. Being the greatest, the eldest, the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty and yet placing Himself dead last and He wasn’t satisfied until the law was, until sin was defeated and until we all had a home again…And finally He is the builder of that home, a great mansion both here on earth as He and the Father make their home in our hearts through the indwelling promise of the coming kingdom, the Holy Spirit Himself but also in heaven where He will forever be the Lamb Slain, bearing the scars of the battle that brought us back to the Father…

•He is so easy to worship. He is so easy to trust. He is so easy to love. If we would hear the truth and not harden our hearts but allow Him in…and allow Him to do that work of strengthening and quickening and enlightening and liberating within our very cores that we might comprehend what is the length and width and depth and height…to know and experience and feel the love of Christ which passes knowledge…that we may be filled with the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3)

•Maybe you think this is not you…maybe you think this is far off…you’re wrong…

•As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not. He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.” The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.

•Is that you tonight? Time to know past knowledge…

•According to scientists, the bumblebee's body is too heavy and its wing span too small. Aerodynamically, the bumblebee cannot fly. But the bumblebee doesn't know that and it keeps flying. When you don't know your limitations, you go out and surprise yourself. In hindsight, you wonder if you ever had any limitations.

•I know it’s terribly difficult to trust and to believe that you can and will be made well…but maybe tonight, you can just consider Jesus…That God Himself is even here and is committed to your settling…even to the point that He will not rest…