What a blessing when we finally receive our inheritance and peace fills the land. This was Caleb’s testimony in today’s reading.
Joshua 14: The Inheritance West of the Jordan
1 These are the inheritances that the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel gave them to inherit.
2 Their inheritance was by lot, just as the LORD had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes.
3 For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them.
4 For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their substance.
5 The people of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses; they allotted the land.
Caleb's Request and Inheritance
6 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me.
7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.
8 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God.
9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.'
10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old.
11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.
12 So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said."
13 Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.
14 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.
15 Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.
Things to think about…
1. The land is allotted – Josh 14:1-5. What a blessing it is when promises are fulfilled. The Israelites had been waiting for this to occur. Unbelief and rebellion had stopped it from happening 40 years earlier. Even though sin gets in the way of blessing, the Lord has a purpose even in our seasons of rebellion. Let’s encourage our fellow travellers with the fact that Jesus is preparing a place for us as part of our heavenly inheritance – John 14:2,3. The Levites had no earthly inheritance, vss 3,4 and the same is true for all believers in Christ. Our earthly riches are perishing and pale into insignificance compared to the riches we have from the Lord’s hand 1Chr 29:12.
2. Look at the faith and life of trust and perseverance of Caleb, Josh 14:6-15. Even though his heart was strong and feared the Lord when he was forty his brothers and the rest of Israel did not have his faith. As such he had to wait forty years and suffered the wilderness wandering with the rest of Israel and another five years of fighting before he could inherit Hebron – vs 14. His testimony is that “my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming”, vs 11. May we say the same at the end of our days that we are just as on fire for the Lord’s work in our lives in our last days as when we first started out. The Lord blessed him as he drove out the Anakim giants, Josh 14:12, 15, cf Deut 2:10, 21. May we see the giants of abortion, pornography, substance abuse and gender violence gone from our city.
3. Look at the last part of Josh 14:15 “And the land had rest from war”. What a blessing. Christ has won the war on sin and we look forward to His return that this world may receive its rest. When sin causes war within families, neighbourhoods, cites and countries what a blessing it is when there is a peace from God which takes away the sting and stench of human fallibility. Praise God for the peace we have in our church. May we see it continue and have an influence on ‘our city and beyond’ as our vision states.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group looking at who is the anti-Christ Sunday week.
Prayer Points
1. Pray about the boldness to live for Christ knowing we have full assurance in our faith.
2. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
3. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
4. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
5. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups.
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons in the church cafe. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for the Mother’s Day event on Saturday. Many unbelievers were encouraged to follow the example of godly mothers as shown through the grace of Jesus. A great follow up message on Sunday by our elder Graham Willey on godly mums in the scriptures.
2. Praise the Lord for new mums at Playgroup. Pray it grows each week.
3. Tad’s health getting better all the time.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Members meeting 26th May after church.
3. Young Adults study after church this Sunday – Who, where and when – the Antichrist.
4. Monday evening prayer with Mathys on the café 5:30-6pm
5. Life Groups Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Kids@Church every Sunday.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul? A. Because the Bible tells me so.
