I just noticed a great “summary” verse in Joshua 22, that being verse 5 specifically.

Joshua the General of the army of Israel is dismissing some of his “troops” … the seven year war for Canaan being virtually over.

His “commission” to them:

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Again, this is Joshua 22:5, King James Version.

The expression “diligent heed” translates two words, “meod” (meaning “exceedingly, mightily, greatly, abundantly”) and “shamar” (meaning “guardianship, watchcare, awareness”).

With all one’s being, 100% dedication!

The nouns “commandment” and “law” both refer to what we now call “the Word of God!” Of necessity here the Old Testament is in view, of course!

And the verb “charged” means “ordered,” spelled “tzsavah.”

Then today’s Lesson … today’s verse …

Five verbs, action words!

” … to LOVE the Lord your God, and to WALK in all his ways, and to KEEP his commandments, and to CLEAVE unto him, and to SERVE him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Wow!

“Ahab” (“to love”) means with passion, deeply felt in one’s soul!

“Yalak” (“to walk”) includes all times of life, 24/7 it’s called these days! To behave properly!

“”Shamar” (” to keep”) means here I think “to obey.” Not to neglect!

“”Dabaq” (” to cleave”) means “to cling, to be glued, be joined, to follow hard (close by)” all one’s days!

And “abad” (“to serve”) means “to obey one’s Master as if His slave!”

Wow!

What a verse to learn!

“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

The Godly life in summary!

In the New Testament, is there a parallel?

Maybe … “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Or Jesus’ Words … “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30

But I still wonder if our text today might not say it most succinctly of all!

One more time … “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to LOVE the Lord your God, and to WALK in all his ways, and to KEEP his commandments, and to CLEAVE unto him, and to SERVE him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today’s Lesson might be an example of Bible hermeneutics, the study and practice of “interpretation.” From Joshua 22, next in line in our short journey through this key Old Testament Book of history.

I’d like to ask each of you to read the entire chapter (all 34 verses) when you can. It tells a story. I just can’t decide (yet) if it’s a good story or a bad story!

Truthfully I have mixed feelings, conflicting ideas, about the event being described here.

I have for years been suspicious of the 2 1/2 tribes of Israel who would NOT claim their inheritance on the west side of Jordan, in the actual “Promised Land!” (Those being Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh.)

Looks to me like they “fell short” or did not want the “inconvenience” of following God fully!

And even though God allowed them this concession, it was NOT His Idea, not originally, not by a long shot!

Even now I am thinking of Psalm 106:15. “And he (the Lord) gave them (Israel) their request; but sent leanness (a wasting away) into their soul.“ Wow, keep “pestering” God and He may just “give” you want you’re wanting (lusting after) … but in the process send “leaness” to you very soul!

Yes, the soldiers of the 2 1/2 tribes were required to accompany their brethren across Jordan and help fight to expel the enemies, in the REAL Promised Land. But these folk’s families and possessions stayed behind!

And now in Joshua chapter 22 (our text again tomorrow) we see (I sense) another problem caused by these Tribes’ lethargy, by their “short-cut” mentality.

(It is just I can’t find a commentator or scholar yet to agree with what I “sense” in my heart and soul.)

Our verse today: “Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar.” Joshua 22:26, they wanted to build themselves an altar, far away from Jerusalem!

An altar just like (patterned after) the One in front of the Tabernacle!

It just sounds suspicious to me.

DO NOT TAMPER WITH GOD’S MODE OF WORSHIP!

If I am right, all this “extra-Mosaic legislation” (man-made doing) stems from not being willing to go all the way to Jerusalem to worship as God had clearly prescribed.

More tomorrow, but in the mean time … today please obey God fully!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

“And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” Joshua 21:44-45

The ending sentences of Joshua chapter 21 can be summarized like this: GOD IS FAITHFUL!

The word “rest” is “nuach” in Hebrew, meaning “to be quiet,” in a peaceful, serene sense. (It is the root for the word, the proper name Noah!)

The verb “to swear” literally means “to say seven times!” (All God need do is say something once, but to set our minds at ease He often “swears” or “promises” something.)

God essentially took care of Israel’s enemies. He can do the same for us, really. Remember the prayer Moses voiced every day: “Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee.” Numbers 10:35

There’s coming yet another day (in the future as I write these words) when God will “scatter” Israel’s growing number of enemies! I’m thinking of Passages like Ezekiel 38 and 39 or Revelation 19.

Then the Holy Spirit wrote that glorious last line of chapter 21. “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” What a record!

God kept ALL His Promises!

Reminds me of Hebrews 13:8 … “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

And the words of the old song: “What He has done for others, He will do for you!”

Thank God this week for His Consistency, Dependability, Steadfastness … same as His FAITHFULNESS in your life, dear Christian friend.

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Sunset last night, just before the Revival Service!

I’m writing you at 5:42 am this morning.

With well over an eight hour drive ahead of us!

But at the same time I am thrilled over the Word of God!

Pray for us today, please.

By the way …

On the way to Church each night, we passed Port Canaveral where the cruise ships come in and out of harbor! I made this picture yesterday morning. They are BIG!

Another Lesson from Joshua, Lord willing, Monday morning.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Concerning the Levites, when they asked Joshua for places to live:  … “The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.” Joshua 21:2-3

First note, they quoted Scripture! (Among the Levites were the priests, who well knew the Law of Moses, taught it to the people in fact.)

“Give us cities,” they cried!

Remember, the Tribe of Levi did NOT get any assigned land, not in the sense of many square miles! No vast tribal allotment! That was NOT their inheritance, material real estate. “Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.” Numbers 18:24

No inheritance?

Quite the contrary! Listen to God talk to Aaron, and the Levites through him: “I AM thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.” Numbers 18:20, wow. an early “I AM” statement!

Deuteronomy 10:9 makes this even more lucid. “Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; THE LORD IS HIS INHERITANCE, according as the LORD thy God promised him.” God speaking directly to Moses.

But … as per our Text today … the Levites were going to be given a few “cities” in which to live, to dwell when they were not “on duty” at Jerusalem, serving God in the things of the Tabernacle or Temple. But that’s a far cry from mega-grants of the Promised Land the other Jews enjoyed.

But with the LORD as their inheritance, they did not seem to mind a bit!

Now, the rest of Joshua 21 simply lists the cities in which the Levites could establish residence.

But I have already hit upon my “POINT” for today’s Lesson.

In a sentence, although compound … “God’s Old Testament children the Jews (generally) were given MATERIAL blessing for serving Him; but God’s New Testament children are given (generally) SPIRITUAL blessings!”

“The Lord is our portion!”

The Levites here are an obvious exception to the rule, maybe even being “types or symbols” of the principle I just named, typed, observed.

Again … “God’s Old Testament children (the Jews) generally were given MATERIAL blessing for serving Him; God’s New Testament children (the saints, the Church) are given generally SPIRITUAL blessings!

Wow!

Ephesians 1:4 says it perfectly … “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in heavenly places in Christ.” Amen!

“ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST!”

So today, even though you may not have a lot of this world’s goods … remember what you have “in Christ Jesus!”

Spiritual Blessings innumerable!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell