Walking in God's Spirit 03.19.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday March 19, 2008 and today we are contuning our study on the book of Joshua. Please read Joshua 17 -- 19 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Today we will read and learn about the continued distribution of land to all the tribes; Manasseh failing to drive out the Canaanites; a Tabernacle is set up at Shiloh; and Joshua's inheritance. today's message focuses on the importance of walking in the spirit of God.

The conquest of Canaan was completed and the land was divided, not by majority vote, but by the Lord. Although they had received some of the best territory in the promised land, the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim complained that they should have more territory given to them because of their great numbers and what they perceived as their prominent position among the tribes. "And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto? And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel." (Joshua 17:14-16).

The Ephraimites were proud of their history as descendants of Joseph. Added to that, Joshua, the victorious commander who had led in the conquest of Canaan, was also from their tribe. "And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:" (17:17).

When we have our priorities centered upon the Lord, we need not fear losing our share of anything. In fact, we gladly accept less to maintain peace with others and many times in doing so we reeive more than we imagined. In a striking contrast to the greed of the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, Joshua chose to be the last to lay claim to any territory. "When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them: According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein." (19:49-50). As captain, we could expect him to be first and to take the best for himself Instead, he chose to be last. His choice was a very small area near Shiloh, where he could best worship and serve the Lord. It was there, in the nearness of the Lord's presence, that Joshua built his small city.

Joshua illustrates the importance of walking in the spirit, "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:18-25).

In today's study Jesus Christ is reveal through Shiloh, "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them." (Joshua 18:1). Shiloh was the dwelling place of God's presence in the Tabernacle and was prophetic of Jesus. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14).

Today's Psalm: 27:4
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We look to You for hope that renews our faith and restores our strength. In the midst of situations that challenge and weary us, Your power and strength never diminish. You never tire of us coming to You but rather You expect it. The promise of Your strength helps us rise above life's detours and difficulties. We place our confidence in You, unchanging God, and develop the fruit of patience as we wait on You to fulfill the promises You've made in Your Word. In Jesus' name, we pray....Amen.

Have a great Wednesday and God Bless you,
Christina

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