The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 17:12-13,
"Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely."
The tribe of Manasseh was unable/unwilling to overcome the towns of Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements. However, in the beginning of the book we read, "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."
I have to think the failure of Israel to occupy certain towns and areas had to do with their own failure to follow the Lord and what the Lord had asked Israel to do. "When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, 'You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.'" Joshua 13:1.
How about me today? Do I love the Lord enough to do as he asks me? "Whoever has my [Jesus'] commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21. When I say I love the Lord, is that reflected in the way I keep his commands?
Are there some things left undone the Lord would have me do while I am still in this life? "You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15:14. Paul told the church in Corinth, "Keeping God's commands is what counts." 1 Corinthians 7:19. John said, "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him." 1 John 3:21-22. He also said, "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:2-5.
"Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely."
The tribe of Manasseh was unable/unwilling to overcome the towns of Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements. However, in the beginning of the book we read, "After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 'Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."
I have to think the failure of Israel to occupy certain towns and areas had to do with their own failure to follow the Lord and what the Lord had asked Israel to do. "When Joshua had grown old, the Lord said to him, 'You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over.'" Joshua 13:1.
How about me today? Do I love the Lord enough to do as he asks me? "Whoever has my [Jesus'] commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14:21. When I say I love the Lord, is that reflected in the way I keep his commands?
Are there some things left undone the Lord would have me do while I am still in this life? "You are my friends if you do what I command." John 15:14. Paul told the church in Corinth, "Keeping God's commands is what counts." 1 Corinthians 7:19. John said, "Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him." 1 John 3:21-22. He also said, "This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:2-5.
It appears knowing and doing the things the Lord commands is an imperative (pun intended) in this life!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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