RTW March 27

Incomplete Work

But the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites, who lived in the city of Jerusalem, so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.
Joshua 15:63

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

 

Something New

Oh… we must complete the work.

  • Must believe
  • Must not get lazy. Can’t get lazy. (Slothfulness was attributed to the tribe of Judah.)
  • Must not accept compromise. (Ephraim enslaved the Canaanites. If they could have taken them into slavery, then they could have defeat them. Especially, since Joshua had previously defeated them at Gezer.) Compromise seems innocent at first.
  • Must not settle for peace at any cost.

But nothing justifies disobedience.

Something To Do

Help me Lord to complete the work. Help me drive them out.

 

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4 Comments

  1. My Takeaways: More land allotments

    Something Old: “They did not drive out the Jebusites according to chapter 63 or the Canaanites according 16:10. That spells trouble for sure. Didn’t God tell them earlier to drive them out and utterly destroy them? He did not want Israel to make peace with inhabitants of the land for fear of idolatry (One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch). I think the Israelites are slowly but surely disobeying God’s commands. Trouble is certainly in store for them. Incomplete conquest can never be good, especially when God commands it.

    Something New: Joshua 17:16-18
    Appears that Joseph’s tribe might be the slackers, they didn’t want to work or fight for their land. But Joshua, their great and faithful leader, wants them to rise up and fight! Sounds just like what Wendy was saying.
    I can’t compromise and continue to coexist with the enemy. I must confront them.
    “…you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.” The command of God is still to drive out and not accept. Looks like some of the Israelite people are spiritualIy slipping. Like the song says, It’s a slow fade. I think the Israelites are headed for many problems.

    Something To Do: Dare to come down to the valley of sinful activities and people, with intercession and evangelism, and win over the devil’s iron chariots.

  2. Wow, this absolutely speaks to my life situation today! I have been in the wilderness for a long time, and as a breakthrough nears, the situation gets increasingly difficult… I am so weary, and these are the words I needed to hear today… complete the work!!

  3. Something Old
    Joshua 17:13. Yes, if they had the power to make them forced laborers, then they had the power to defeat them. This always seems to point to a lack of obedience or follow-through on the part of the Israelites. It must have been very hard to consider the effort and sacrifices required to do the job thoroughly. I think about how many times I am tempted to short cut things that are difficult. It is hard to simply stay on the Potter’s wheel while He forms me into His image. And each battle that is presented offers me an opportunity to trust God, to listen, to learn and to “stay with it” in faith and humility, believing Him. To clean out all of the idols and things that will interfere with my walk with Him. (Even problems and heartaches can become idols!!!)

    Something New
    So many times I notice the phrase, “to this day”. It is used about 60 times in the Bible. It always makes me think does it mean literally….or simply at the time? I did a little reading:
    “Genesis 19:26 is a great example of something that was true at the time of writing and was true for many years later. In that passage, we are told that Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt. The pillar of salt does not exist today, but that does not mean it did not exist at the time Genesis was written. The well known ancient historian Josephus says that he saw Lot’s wife’s pillar of salt.
    The issue is, “Were the statements true at the time the books were recorded?” If the statements were not true at the time the books were written, the authors would have been very stupid because their readers would have known the truth.”

    Something To Do
    Joshua 17:17-18. They wanted more land given to them, instead of taking God’s promises and going out and taking what God had given them. This is often challenging, but a great daily exercise….My Something To Do…..look around and be grateful for what I have and where I am and even how I am…..while always desiring to grow in my obedience to God. Be faithful in a little….before asking for a lot.

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