The readings for March 26-28 are really one long entry describing the boundaries of each tribal territory. I will address them as a whole in today's post, so there will not be additional blogs posted Sunday or Monday.
Over a period of seven years, Joshua and the Israelite army defeated 31 kings, suffering only one defeat due to the disobedience of Achan. But if you read thru the definitions of the boundaries and towns included in each tribal allotment, you noticed that there were several mentions of nations NOT fully removed from the promised Land...the Jebusites of Jerusalem, the Canaanites of Gezer, the people of Geshur and Maacah, and the Canaanites of Manasseh's territory. In each of these instances, the unconquered people groups were said to live among the tribes "to this day". This was Joshua's fatal error. He was told to completely annihilate the people living in their land so as not to give the devil a foothold. The Lord knew how easy it would be for the Israelites to be seduced by the pagan practices of the wicked Canaanites, and allowed them to remain in the land to test the israelites. Over the next 400 years, the people did turn to idolatry repeatedly until their nation was taken captive by the Babylonians and Assyrians. The price paid for this complacency was high indeed.
Sometimes, when we know exactly what the Lord wants from us and yet obey His commands only half-heartedly or in a "close enough" fashion, the results are disastrous. I tell my kids that "partial obedience is the same as disobedience".
Monday's reading: Joshua 19:49-21 and 1 Chron. 6:54-81
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Melissa... Once again Bless You for continuing to post this for this year. I'm learning so much more this year and I will committ to this every year. It is the very best way to read through the Bible in a year. I've read through it other ways but did not get the "meat" of the readings. You, my friend, have made this reading so "meaty" and informative. Thank you for the reminder that "partial obedience" is disobedience. When my children were young, I did not spare the rod and spoil the child, and always punnished for blatant disobedience. This lesson today is for ME....all of God's children. Thanks Melissa!
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