Weds.’s Devo - Joshua’s Last Warnings

Read: Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19 Today we read the response of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. They had not built an idol, but a memorial so that their children would remember the relationship that they have with the Lord and that it was Him who gave them this land. When the other leaders heard their response they were satisfied and went home to tell the others. The people of Reuben and Gad named the altar “Witness” as a witness between them and God. Joshua was getting old so he called all the elders, leaders, judges and officers of Israel together. He told them that the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River was their allotted land, even what they had not taken possession of yet. He encouraged them that God would still drive out the ones living there and give them the land. God’s promises never die. He commanded them to not forget or deviate even a little from the Book of Instruction Moses had given them. He told them not to associate wit the other people still remaining in the land. and not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or serve them or worship them. If they did start observing their customs and intermarrying with them, God would no longer drive them out of your land. Instead, they would be a snare and a trap to you. They would bring slavery and oppression that would lead to Israel’s death and exile from their land. His last words were that deep in their hearts they know that every promise of God was good and not a single one had failed, but surely as the Lord has brought good things on you, he will bring disaster on you if you break the covenant of the Lord by worshipping other gods. In Luke, Jesus was met by some of the Sadducees who didn’t believe in resurrection. They pose a question to Jesus about resurrection but it is shrouded to look like it is talking about marriage. Jesus saw right through the veil and answered their real question about whether he believed in the resurrection. He told them that God was the God of the living which was why Moses referred to God as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even though they were long dead, Moses saw them as alive. The Pharisees listening liked his answer. This was a long standing argument between the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Then Jesus stepped on all the religious leaders toes by saying that the Messiah would not be David’s son but his Lord. Jesus turned to his disciples and warned them abasing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders and teachers of the law. They could talk the talk, but they cheated widows out of their property while pretending to be so pious. They would be severely punished for this. I would love to have seen their faces when Jesus outed them in front of everyone. Lord, help us to see the boldness of Jesus and walk fearlessly against sin. Jesus walked in such authority and yet such love for the seekers of truth. May we be tenacious against sin and loving toward God and others.