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Joshua 13-17 Proposition: Once you understand the historical setting and context of a text, God can show you the modern-day application. This morning, because we love having the children in, we are going to try a different approach to hearing from God through the Bible. Two months ago, I was showing you how the Holy Spirit is attached to unashamed preaching and you found that virtually all of you were well capable of it. You might recall how I gave you some real-life examples and using your biblical knowledge you were able to take that scene from life and make it into a mini sermon based on your biblical knowledge. I talked about someone in a student flat changing a light bulb on a dark night and you talked about Jesus being the light of the world. I talked about spraying a man’s house with 30 seconds Spray and Walk Away and you talked about how only Jesus can clean away our sins. As I have mentioned often before, the whole of the OT, as well as being historically accurate, each story or event also gives us pictures or illustrations of deep NT spiritual truths. For example, the parting of the Red Sea and the River Jordan is a picture of the need for two baptisms, one in water and one in the Holy Spirit. So, this morning what I am going to do is give you a number of pictures, based on their context and historical setting and I am going to ask you to talk to the people around you to help you see the modern-day application. When preachers prepare a sermon we study the text, the context and the historical setting, then we often go for a walk, do something else and pray, and ask God for the application. This morning I am trusting that you will do the application part, the preaching part and I will simply find a few creative ways to help you understand what is going on in the Bible. So, we are going to look at a few pictures, then you are going to ask God and the people around you what they mean. Often, we spend a whole sermon on one verse in the Bible, this morning we are going to take a snapshot of 5 chapters. Before we start on chapter 13 where we left off a couple of weeks ago, here is a picture I want you to think about. Joshua 12:9-24 Contemporary English Version (CEV) 9-24 Jericho, Ai near Bethel, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Gezer, Debir, Geder, Hormah, Arad, Libnah, Adullam, Makkedah, Bethel, Tappuah, Hepher, Aphek, Lasharon,[a] Madon, Hazor, Shimron-Meron, Achshaph, Taanach, Megiddo, Kedesh, Jokneam on Mount Carmel, Dor in Naphath-Dor, Goiim in Galilee,[b] and Tirzah.[c] There were thirty-one of these kings in all. As you look at that big list of places, of kingdoms, I want you to note this. These 31 cities had 31 kings in them that were the most popular and famous people of that age. PICTURE 1 Now the 31 cities listed had 31 kings who were the most famous people of their day. And yet their names are not even listed or remembered. Keeping that picture in mind what could be the life lesson for us? Turn to the person beside you and give them your answer. The Bible says only those things done by faith for Jesus will have a lasting influence. And the things done in faith now will have eternal rewards. You might become a famous scientist or a famous athlete, good for you. But in a thousand years’ time, people won’t even know your name. But if you serve the Lord in this life, you will leave a legacy of faith for the next generation and there will be eternal rewards. 1 Last time we looked at the book of Joshua, we saw that the war was won, but there was still some mopping up to do, as so often is the case in our lives. We are saved and forgiven, but issues like fear or anxiety or addiction, or anger often still need to be dealt with. Now in these chapters God divides up the promised land between His people. Joshua 3:8 8 Moses had already given land east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. The promised land is being divided up, however 2.5 tribes didn’t want to go into the land that God had promised, they didn’t want to find out what God had for them and their children. Instead on the east side of the Jordan river they said, hey guys, the grass is good here, we can make a lot of money through farming this, this looks very nice and comfortable. We will go and help our rellies fight the Canaanites, but then, Moses, we want to return home and stay here. PICTURE 2 God has a vision and a purpose for every one of us. How might we at times be like the 2.5 tribes??? Turn to the person beside you and share your answer. God’s vision for your life will take you out of your comfort zone, it will be stretching, God wants to extend the influence of your life in this world, but he won’t make you, he won’t push you. If you want to stay in the comfortable and familiar he will allow that but you will miss out on your destiny. Sadly, these guys were the first group of people carried off into slavery by the Assyrian army. Sadly, this area was where the Gerasene demoniac was living where Jesus cast a legion of demons out of him, the Jews on this side of the Jordan were so money hungry, that they farmed pigs. You can see where that hunger for money and comfort eventually led these people. Looking for security in things, rather than being fully committed to what God had called them to, led them eventually to a life of pain and depression. Joshua 13:14 14 Moses did not give any land to the Levi tribe, because the LORD God of Israel had told them, “Instead of land, you will receive the sacrifices offered at my altar.” The land of Canaan, the Promised Land was a vast land, for 3.5 million or so people to occupy. It was being divided up into 12 iwis, twelve areas for inheritance, but God chose not to give the family of pastors, elders and Bible teachers, the Levites, any land. PICTURE 3 Here is a picture of the land being divided up but ... the ministers, those whose job was to connect the people to God, were not given any. Why do you think that was?? Give your answer to the person beside you. I think that God did that so that the Levites, the ministers of that day, couldn’t group together and be clustered in one place, they had to spread throughout the nation and accept sacrifices and read the Bible wherever they went. A long time ago I heard an old guy say “Christians are a little like manure. Clumped together, focusing inwardly they can stink. But spread throughout the community, they bring life and transformation.” God wanted those with strong faith to be spread throughout the community, going out into the community and so they were not allowed to settle down on a piece of land. PICTURE 4 The Land West of the Jordan River 14 1-5 Nine and a half tribes still did not have any land, although two and a half tribes had already received land east of the Jordan River. Moses had divided that land among them, and he had also said that the Levi tribe would not receive a large region like the other tribes. In the promised land nine and a half tribes were eagerly waiting to see what land God would give them. What is the NT parallel in the Spirit filled life? Turn to the person beside you with your answer. 2 The tribes on the east of the Jordan river missed out on their inheritance because even though they were in the family they wanted to be comfortable. These 9.5 tribes wanted to obey God, they wanted to be fully committed to God and now they were in the Promised Land, in the spirit filled life, wanting to know the sphere of their influence, how much territory God had given them. PICTURE 5 Caleb was always alongside Joshua, fighting with Joshua, giving him counsel, pointing to the greatness of God. Who in the NT is Joshua a picture off? Turn to the person beside you and give them your answer. Allotment for Caleb 6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land.And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’[a] 10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness.