Today in Joshua 15-16, we see that the apportioning of the land areas and the definition of tribal boundaries continues – here in chapter 15 – for the tribe of Judah, and in chapter 16, for the tribe of Ephraim. As Judah was the most populous tribe, its inheritance was of significant size. In verses 13-19, we read that Joshua gave Caleb a portion of land in Judah “in accordance with the LORD’s command” (verse 13). We also read that Caleb drove out three Anakite peoples – “Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai – all descendants of Anak” (verse 14). These people were giants. We need to recognize the lesson here for us; if we want to claim the spiritual inheritance that God has determined for us, we will face gigantic spiritual opposition. Caleb served the Lord wholeheartedly, which meant that He had to trust God against this kind of resistance, and in doing so, God gave Caleb the victory. We must do the same. In chapter 16, we see the allotments for Ephraim and Manasseh – the sons of Joseph. However, in verse 10, we read that the Ephraimites did not take control of all their inheritance – they failed to drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer – in direct violation to the Lord’s command (cf., Deuteronomy 20:16-17; Joshua 11:20-23). Although they “required the Canaanites to do forced labor” (verse 10), nevertheless, the Israelites will have problems with them well into the future – clear up to the time of Solomon (cf., 1 Kings 9:16).
We also come today to Psalm 53, where we see three important observations that David makes: [1] “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Up until David’s day, practically everyone accepted the truth of God’s existence. However, by David’s day, atheists began to appear, and the fool would likely make this statement “in his heart,” but less likely with his tongue. In our day, atheists have no problem vocalizing their nonsense and revealing themselves thereby to be foolish. David also observed that [2] all men everywhere are evil - “no one does good - not even one” (verse 3). This truth is easily confirmed, and to ignore or deny it is sheer foolishness. Finally, David noticed that [3] “evildoers never learn” (verse 4). In this Psalm, God is simply reminding us that we are in an awful predicament of our own making. We desperately need His help, but thankfully, God meets our greatest need - salvation comes out of Zion - and God restores us (verse 6).
Today we also come to John’s marvelous gospel. In John 1:1-28, we see the truth of Psalm 53:6 revealed and fulfilled when God sent the “true light (i.e., His Son) that gives light to every man” (verse 9). This light was coming into the world” to redeem us from our sin and its darkness. “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (verse 14), and by receiving Him, we now have “the right to become children of God” (verse 12). The light “shines in the darkness” (verse 5), though the darkness cannot understand it. People of the darkness do not understand people of the Light. Darkness is not equal to light nor can it prevail against light – it has no power over light. Both physically and spiritually, darkness is incapable of driving out light, but just the opposite is true. What a privilege is ours! John’s gospel addresses the true wonder of God’s good news to the world - that we, who are completely unrighteous, can be declared righteous by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect righteousness of God – given for us. I am so thankful that God has applied His mercy to my greatest need. Thank God for His light!
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