Year 7, Day 203: Joshua 18

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In Joshua 18, we have a very interesting beginning.  Judah, Josephs’ two sons, and the tribes east of the Jordan have all received their land.  The other tribes, however, haven’t gone out and taken up residence.  Joshua needs to come and tell them what to do.  He must come and light a fire underneath them.

I find this highly interesting.  These people just fought for the land.  They had brothers die for possession of it.  They have been wandering through the desert for forty years just to get to this point.  Everything should be pointing to them going out and taking ownership of the land.  Yet, this isn’t the case.  Joshua has to come to them, tell them what to do, and encourage them to get out to work.

I think there is a lesson to be learned here.  There are leaders who, like Joshua, can lead large groups of people.  There are also independent people who, like the tribes of Josephs sons, may not want to lead large groups, but they are certainly capable of going out and doing what is necessary all on their own.  Then there is a great swath of people in the rest of the world.  They are content doing as they are told.  They will buy into the grand schemes of leaders, but they will wait and do as they are told rather than going out and getting it for themselves.

When I read this chapter, I think that in the end there is grace for all three types of people.  Certainly, the leaders in Joshua, Caleb, and Judah are praised.  The independent tribes of Joseph are likewise praised.  The tribes who sit back are initially chastised, but the end well.  They do what they are told.  They follow through with someone else’s plan.  In the end, although they don’t start well, they finish well and receive their inheritance.

Life is about determining what kind of person you want to be.  Are you a leader?  Then go lead!  Are you an independent type?  Determine what God asks of you and go do it?  Are you a follower?  Make sure you buy into God’s plan and then get to it!  The kkey is not sitting back and doing nothing.

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