Joshua 18 - 12.17.21

Scripture - What stood out?

JOSHUA 18:3 NIV

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?

Observation - What does it say?

The Israelites were in the promised land. The territory that God had set apart for his people. Joshua continues to allot the land to the remaining tribes of Israel when he asks the above question of them. The implication being the remaining tribes were not moving quickly enough.

Understanding - What does it mean?

I have a list.

A list of questions I don’t like to hear.

And on that list is this question “What are you waiting for?”

And my reasons for not liking this question is because invariably when I am asked this question it is rhetorical!

The Israelites had made it. God had seen them through! Yet there is an implied delay/sluggishness/reluctance/lack of zeal in divvying up the rest of the land. What were they waiting for? Various commentaries allude to discontent, weariness, and fear of more battle as some of the reasons the Israelites appear to hold back.

But God had seen them through to THE promised land. They had already seen miracles along the way. It was to be theirs. So what were they waiting for?

I can almost hear God speaking and not asking the same question over me.

‘What are you waiting for Ken? How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord….’

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

Lord am I really in the promised land…already? I don’t feel prepared enough. I don’t feel ready. I don’t feel…good about any of this. Forgive me for dragging my feet. I repent Lord. Please Holy Spirit repair the areas of my heart and spirit that need tending to. And may I be obedient to what is being asked of me by my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. In your name Jesus, my Teacher, my Instructor, my Pastor, do I pray amen.

-kenneth lee