Sun.’s Devo - God Keeps His Promises

Read: Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16 The tribe of Levi came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua and asked for their inheritance. They were to live in towns within the different tribes. The tribe of Levi was divided into three clans: the Kohathites, the Gershonites and the Merarites. The Kohathites were given 13 towns in Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin and 10 towns in the land of Ephraim, Dan and the half tribe of Manasseh. The Gershonites were given 13 towns in Issachar, Asher Naphtali and the other half of Manasseh. The clan of Merari was given 12 towns in Reuben, Gad and Zebulun. *** Hebron, Shechem, Golan, Kedesh and Ramoth were all designated cities of refuge for anyone who accidentally killed someone. *** All the land had been given out and God had done everything he had promised them he would do. Joshua released the warriors from Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh to go home and enjoy their families and their land. They lived on the eastern side of the Jordan. They went home laden with great spoils from their battles. *** Before they crossed the Jordan, they stopped at Geliloth and built a large altar. When the people of Israel heard of what they had done, they gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them. They sent delegates from all of the tribes to discuss the matter with the ones who built it. They reminded them of the sins of those who built an altar at Peor and how God killed them all. *** Tomorrow we will hear their answer. *** In Luke, Jesus was teaching in the Temple when the leaders of the Temple came to him and asked him by what authority he was doing all these things. He turned and asked them whose authority did John the Baptist do the things he did. When they couldn’t answer them for fear of the people, Jesus told them he wouldn’t answer them either. *** Jesus then turned to the people and told them a parable. It was about a man who planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers and moved to another country. When it came time to harvest the grapes he sent a servant to collect his share of the crop. Instead, the farmers attacked the servant and sent him back with nothing. The owner sent two more servants and they were all treated the same. Not knowing what to do, he sent his son thinking they would respect him, but they killed him so the vineyard would be theirs. Jesus asked the crowd what they thought the owner would do to these farmers. Jesus answered that he would come and kill the farmers and lease the vineyard to others. *** Jesus quoted Psalm 118:22, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” He explained that when people stumble over that stone will be broken to pieces and crushed if it fell on them. *** The religious leaders knew Jesus was speaking that parable against them but were afraid of what the people would do if they did anything to Jesus. Instead, they sent men to infiltrate the crowd and ask questions to trap Jesus into saying something they could use against him. *** One of these men came up with a plan and asked Jesus if they should pay taxes. Jesus asked for a Roman coin and asked whose face was on it. Caesar’s was, so he told them to give to Caesar what was his and to God what was his. This shut them up and amazed the crowds. You can’t trick truth! *** Lord, thank you that we can trust you will give us the right answer at the right time. Thank you that you have the Words of life and not a singe one of your good promises will be left unfulfilled.