Joshua 16 – 20
There are historical implications to these chapters as far as how the lands were divided between the tribes of Israel. It’s interesting how some maps show Philistia in the southern coastal region, yet others do not. If you go back to chapter 15 and analyze the scripture you notice that the lands go to the sea, which implies the maps showing Philistia are to justify Palestine today, since they occupy the same general area. These maps give you an visual to the words in these chapters and provide some reference.
One thing you notice as you read these chapters is that the people are reluctant to take their lands. Think about it, they have been nomads for 40 plus years and this will require them to settle, so although a better situation it shows unwillingness for change. How many of us can remember a time when something cool was just before us, but it required hard work and therefore added to our reluctance to proceed? Chapter 18 verse 3 Joshua asks the question:
So Joshua said to the people of Israel, “How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?”
How long do we “put off” things we need to do? It is call procrastination and I am guilty as these people for not doing things I need to. Sure in some cases we need to prepare financially or physically, but for the most part for whatever reason we avoid change. Many times we “lock up” because we are overwhelmed at the task before us.
I can think of moving the shop, it all went into the basement. This is fine, but shortly after we moved from the house with the intention of selling stuff off. We have racks of items that we need to sell, I even have a potential buyer for some of it, but I do nothing to forward that progress. So I sit on a bunch of junk that I know is losing value each day
Taxes are another hurdle that I had to deal with. For years we delayed doing our taxes, fortunately nothing was owed, but we were getting money back. It wasn’t until 2009 I got caught up and then immediately got behind again only to get fully caught up this year! The last of the returns went out and I am 100% done with filing. My problem was I would create micro-jobs that would become huge in total since I was delaying each one. Once they got huge I shut down on doing them, just like the people of Israel before the Promised Lands.
Sometimes we all need a “Joshua” to ask “how long will you put off” (blank)! I know I do more often than I care to admit. Procrastination is a disease in every one of us that not only kills our opportunities but dampens our relationship with God. How many times have you said I should read my Bible all the way through? I pray my sharing these ideas each day inspires you to pick up this book and read it often and with purpose. This is the best collection of writings that give us a glimpse into the spirit and being of God, so we should not procrastinate! Dive in and read your Bible!