Year 1, Week 25, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 25, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Joshua 19-20.

Today’s reading continues navigating the allotment of land that each tribe received. Joshua 19 records the  land allotment of five more tribes. This completes the tribal allocations. As the tribes have now all been allotted their portion of the Promised Land, the last land recipient to be mentioned is Joshua: “When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. By command of the LORD they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it” (Joshua 19:49-50). This section of tribal allotments, which began in Joshua 14, started with the area given to Caleb and it now comes to a close with the area given to Joshua. Joshua 20 records that the Cities of Refuge were established. Cities of Refuge, which were established in the Mosaic Law, were places where people who unintentionally killed someone could flee vengeance.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is the realized expectation that the LORD was now dwelling with His people in the Land that He had promised them: “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:13-14). While it was mentioned in passing in the previous day’s reading (see Joshua 18:1), today’s reading references Shiloh once again. As the tribal allocations were completed, the Tabernacle was moved to and set up at Shiloh: “These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land” (Joshua 19:51). Shiloh appears to be a more centrally located city to place the Tabernacle. The LORD was living with His people in the Land. This reality helps to shape the excitement of today’s reading as well as each of the chapters that have pertained to the tribal allotments of land. Yes, these chapters record exciting things. This moment has been in the works for a long time.

Dwelling in the Land with the LORD should be seen as an incredible thing. We can miss the real point of what is unfolding in these chapters for all that we see is geographical destinations and city locations. Mere mapping details can feel boring to us, but it was not meant to be boring to the people who were experiencing these things. This moment in Israel’s life, this movement in the unfolding plot of the Scripture should be seen as precious and important. With these events happening as they are, the unfolding of the Scripture, which Israel is experiencing, is showing us a glimpse of what the LORD is up to. Here in today’s reading, we are witnessing that God has redeemed a people, given them a place to dwell, and has chosen to be present with them. His people, His place, His presence. The promises that the LORD made to Abraham reflect the realities of people, place, and presence. Eden, the place where the LORD was present with His people came to an end. The Fall brought that reality to an end. But it would not be a permanent end. The LORD began making promises pertaining to a people who would live in a place with the LORD being present. The LORD said to Abraham: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-3). In the aftermath of Fall, the LORD promises Abraham a people and a place. The LORD also promises His presence to His people in His place: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15). 

At this moment in Israel’s history, at this movement in the unfolding plot of the Scriptures, the Lord is with His people as they dwell in the Land. This moment reaches back to the Garden, and it also reaches forward to the New Heavens and New Earth. This movement in the plot of Scriptures also reaches back to the Garden and reaches forward to the New Heavens and New Earth. Israel’s moment is glorious but it will not endure. This plot movement is significant, but not the final result. The LORD who faithfully rescued a people for Himself, placed them in their Land, and dwelt among them, is not done yet. The Scriptures come to a close with a description of a people, a place, and the LORD’s presence: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:1-2). 

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe