Sorry for not posting yesterday. (I got busy with having my parents in town...which is good because we really enjoyed having them with us.) So, I merged chapters 18-19 together today.
Joshua 18 begins by describing the division of the remaining seven portions of land in a different way. Three men from each of the seven tribes were to go survey the land, divide it into seven parts, and then Joshua would cast lots before the Lord to determine which tribe got which part. I sort of chuckle at this...since it is perfect by design. The portions would be of equal value or size because no one knew which part would be theirs...until after it was all divided.
In biblical times, casting lots was a way to determine the will of God. It extended into the first century (at least) with the selection of Judas Iscariot's replacement as a disciple/Apostle (Acts 1:26).
[Sidenote: could you imagine making decisions based on drawing lots today in the church? Would you/ do you trust the will power and sovereignty of God to the point that you would submit yourself to the results of casting lots...affirming that if your lot was drawn...it was God that caused it and revealed it? ]
In the remainder of chapters 18 and 19, the portions of the land were divided up. Josh 19:51 is the summary verse of the distribution. The task of distributing the land was completed.
Not only did God fulfill His promise of giving the land to His people, but He did it in such a way that was agreeable with them. Nowhere in the distribution do we see a call for a recount or an accusation of voter fraud. (Maybe we should draw lots for President!)
Proverbs 10:3 is the takeaway today. Ultimately, the righteous will always be provided for because the Lord is the provision. This is not only in some mystical or spiritual sense...but has some very practical understandings as well (i.e. food, clothing, shelter, needs of life). The wicked, since their "provision" is somewhere other than the Lord...will never be satisfied. They may seem to be excelling along the way...but, in the end, nothing brings contentment...except the Lord.
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No need for an apology, you are allowed a 'bye' day if you need one. Funny how this reading somehow always seems to overlap with my two life groups. I love how God places our studies all together. This Sunday in our Life Group we were talking about the different voices of God and this scripture came up as one of the voices of God. It does seem kind of silly now, I feel like there would not be a need for much faith if we did this today, except maybe faith to actually do what the lots decided needed to be done. It reminds me of the 8 ball, you know, you ask the ball a question and then shake shake shake turn the ball up and a little white triangle gives you the generic answer. I did this at Target last week and laughed with my girlfriend on how silly it was. I can not imagine doing this today, although sometimes I do wish I had an 8 ball to give me all of the hard answers. :-)Let me know if you get permission to cast lots... (just kidding). The Proverbs was a good take away too, unbelievers are always looking for a way to fill that empty spot no satisfaction for the lost... :-( it makes me sad. The lost are searching and have no idea what they are searching for, It breaks my heart, the promises of God are so amazing... He is so faithful over and over and over again!
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