Pursuing Visions 03.20.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday March 20, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Joshua. Please read Joshua 20 -- 21 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about six cities appointed as places of refuge and officially assigned; 48 cities given to the Levites; and the Israelites possess the land. Today's message focuses on the importance of pursuing visions for you until they are achieved.

Unlike all the other tribes of Israel, Levi was not given separate territory, They were divided into three groups according to the descendants of Levi's three sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. But only those Israelites who were descendants of Levi through Kohath's grandson Aaron could be priests and serve in the Tabernacle. However, even some of these descendants were physically disqualified to be ministers at the altar because of disabilities; and some were spiritually disqualified because they violated one or more of the Commandments. "Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, 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 21:1-3).

The priests were responsible for preserving, transcribing, teaching, and interpreting the Law. They were also the civil officers responsible for the administration of the Law. All the Levites, not merely the ones who were responsible for the worship at the Tabernacle, were to receive an equal share of the tithes from the other tribes. Each tribe was to provide for the physical welfare of the priests within its own territory. This was not left up to the goodwill of the people but was a command from God.

Because of their unbelief which caused fear and slothfulness, many of the cities within the promised land were still occupied by various Canaanite kingdoms. Their inheritance was delayed because of their sin. But, Caleb was as enthusiastic as he had been forty-five years earlier when Moses sent him to spy out the land. Many hard years had intervened; yet, his vision and willingness to conquer the Canaanites at age eighty-five had not diminished from when he was forty. He rallied the forces, fought the Canaanites, and declared victory in Hebron. There is only one explanation for his success. Caleb had great faith in God and His power to fulfill His promises. Canaan was a wicked, sinful land whose inhabitants contaminated it by their violence, immorality, and idol worship. God said it was a land which deserved judgment and He called upon the Israelites to execute His judgment.

Today, the land which Christians are to possess is the whole world. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20). With Christ as our King, we are to wage unceasing warfare against evil, in whatever forms it may be found. The nature of warfare is not changed, its conditions remain the same and victory is still its objective. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4). Servants of God are called to root out evil without compromise, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is reveal by By Eleazar, the chief priest, "Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest," (Joshua 21:1a). Christ is our High Priest, "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;" (Hebrews 3:1).

Today's Psalm: 98:1
"O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help us to contend with those seeming obstacles that hinder us from pursing our visions. May we patiently endure and prayerfully endear to our hearts the important truths You teach us and lead us to victory. In Jesus' name, I pray...Amen.

Have a great Thursday and God Bless you,
Christina

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