February 27, 2024 - Joshua 13-19

The job is not yet finished:  “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess’” (13:1).  Still, Israel was now in the land, they had overcome many of their enemies, and it was time to divide the land among the tribes.  So, one by one, the Lord instructs Joshua as to the boundaries of their respective territories.  A wonderful story is that of Caleb, one of the two faithful spies along with Joshua, who was now 85 years old.  The Lord had promised him the hill country and, now, Caleb says to Joshua, “Let me go and take the hill country.”  “Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.  Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel” (14:13-14).

And the chapter ends:  “And the land had rest from war” (14:15).  With all of Israel’s unfaithfulness there remained those who were faithful.  The Lord himself was faithful to perform his promises.  Joshua and Caleb had been faithful when the spies were sent into the land, and they continued to be faithful and to trust the Lord.  Oh, to be like them!  And to enjoy that sweet rest the Lord has promised!

Come, Lord, and help us to rejoice,

In hope that I shall hear thy voice,

Shall one day see my God;

Shall cease from all our painful strife,

Handle and taste the word of life,

And feel the sprinkled blood.

Let us not always make our moan,

Nor worship thee a God unknown;

But let us live to prove

Thy people’s rest, and saint's delight,

The length and breadth, the depth and height

Of thy redeeming love.   -- Charles Wesley (1742)