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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? Joshua 18:3 (ESV)

I have the following note in my bible “The Christian life is always described in continuing effort… Pilgrimage, war, a race – Pastor Dennis Greenidge” This is so true, as Gods children we need to avoid falling into the trap of procrastination and instead learn from both the attitudes of Judah “to go first” and Joseph “to work and expand”

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

In this ultimate conclusion to Paul’s argument in this letter Paul gives us two accounts which he attributes to God, one is his rapture and vision of heaven, and receiving such revelation that some could not be shared. The other is the thorn in the flesh or messenger from Satan that God allows to help him stay humble. In both cases God remains the ultimate orchestrator and sovereign.

There has been much debate throughout church history regarding the identity of the thorn, with the most likely option being some form of illness but attempts to identify it miss the point of Paul’s intended ambiguity in using this sort of figurative language. Forcing a single meaning to this sort of language misses the point, which is that it remains open so that the lesson can be applied in all circumstances in every age.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

Paul’s main point here is not the identity of the thorn but its origin (from Satan yet given by God), it’s cause (the great revelations) and its purpose (to keep Paul from conceit). The climax is that no matter what we are allowed to go through and the reason behind it, God’s grace will give us the strength we need to endure, because God is glorified when we persevere through difficulty and challenges in humility before him.

This verse embodies Paul’s entire argument, the Christian life is not marked by happy days of no suffering, bliss, wealth and health… No, our lives are marked by endurance and humility in the midst of adversity and persecution to bring Glory to God.

The vagueness around the thorn and the definite promise of sufficient grace (said in the present tense) means we can all take comfort from this promise for our own walk with the Lord today.

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:4 (ESV)

When we are afraid we should not ignore our fear but confront it with our faith in God’s word and come to the firm realisation that we can trust in God and his word and that nothing can happen to us as Gods children outside God’s control. see 1 Corinthians 10:13

because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh. Joshua 17:6 (ESV)

The law set by Moses concerning daughters being given an inheritance when there are no sons was now fulfilled. Again this point to the fact that women were not to be treated with contempt or like possessions as the Pagan cultures taught.

but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.” Joshua 17:18 (ESV)

Pastor Dennis preached a powerful message helping us apply this passage to our lives in Christ some years ago. The Children of Joseph were not content to stay in a lot that was too small for their people, they boldly ask for more.

Joshua turned the request for more back on the people in the form of a challenge and a promise, the challenge was put forward in verse 15, which was to go and make a second plot of land in the wooded hill area to make room for themselves. The promise in this verse is that they will defeat the enemy despite the enemies power.

Today we should take this attitude in our walk with the Lord. Matthew 11:12 says we should take the kingdom by force. We should boldly go to clear the trees (wood speaking of the flesh) and take the land (Gods promises and kingdom). We need to pray and very actively work to advance Gods kingdom as a church and individually, we must avoid the lazy idea of sitting back and leaving it all to God, lets go clear tress and take the land.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 2 Corinthians 11:30 (ESV)

Paul does not boast about the things he has achieved or done well, he instead boasts in his weakness which cause him to rely on the Lord and bring God glory. His critics said his life should be characterised by blessing, but according to Paul’s teaching and life a Christians life is characterised by suffering for Christ and God being glorified in the Christians constant service, witness and perseverance.

Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

Like we read in 1 Peter 5:7 we can cast all our cares on the Lord, this bring balance and comfort with todays other readings where we saw our need to take responsibility and work in Joshua and our call to endure hardship in 2 Corinthians

But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ Joshua 14:8–9 (ESV)

Caleb is a great example to all of us, showing us that we should boldly put our trust in God. His account should also encourage us that God rewards our courageous faith in his service.

The word translated as wholly is worth mediating on. It is from the Hebrew word Mille and in this sense it means “to follow fully” which is a verb meaning to accept and follow leadership or guidance to the fullest extent.

The word itself carries the meanings be full, filled, fill, complete, finish, fulfil, perform, to satisfy and carry out. It also carries a subtle meaning in this context of “eagerness to engage in some activity or event” (eager desire).

When we consider the meaning and root of the word “wholly followed” it should help us to reflect on our attitude and heart towards God and his work, remembering Jesus’ greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38

Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war. Joshua 14:15 (ESV)

To put this in context… remember the Anakim were a race of giants, even giants are no match for God and his people. When we wholly follow the Lord we can claim the victory over the greatest giants. See Matthew 17:20

She said to him, “Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water.” And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. Joshua 15:19 (ESV)

Caleb’s daughter like her father is full of faith and zeal, she boldly approaches her father to ask for more than her original allotment and received a good response to her request for a blessing.

We can learn from Achsah’s example of bold asking in faith as Jesus affirms in Matthew 7:7-8.

This also shines a light on the fact that women had rights and were treated with dignity in Israelite culture as opposed to the many Pagan nations where women did not enjoy these freedoms.

God’s heart for his daughters (and sons) is that they boldly come to him directly in prayer and make their petitions clear, in faith. See James 1:6-8 and Matthew 21:22

Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline. Joshua 15:47 (ESV)

FYI – by this account today’s Gaza strip really belongs to Israel. To find out more about God’s promises to the land of Israel, watch CHOSEN by the Ezra Foundation, available on the WWMF App today

For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast of that. 2 Corinthians 11:20–21 (ESV)

Paul gives a reluctant summary of his ministry which he intends to shame his critics into silence. There is a note of Irony running throughout this passage and it is illustrated well here. The sad truth is that bondage to sin will lead into further bondage under manipulative and evil leaders in all areas of life including the church.

The church in Corinth were bound by pride in their supposed maturity to such an extent that they had unfounded confidence in their ability to discern and so were squarely deceived and exploited by false, self seeking, charlatans who led them into further bondage through bad teaching and practise.

We must stay on our guard that we do not unwittingly open ourselves up to this sort of self imposed abuse and oppression through either misplaced confidence in ourselves or in laziness allowing ourselves to be manipulated as we follow the crowd’s popular consensus rather than the bible. We must wholly follow the Lord.

O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might. Psalm 54:1 (ESV)

Verse 1 and verse 6 mention God’s name as a means of salvation and one that thanks will be given to. The name of God is manifested in Jesus, the eternal Word.

Names have power throughout the scriptures and in the world today. When an ambassador or messenger speaks in the name of a king, the full force of the kingdom is with him, just like the full force of the law is behind every police officer calling out stop or pull over.

Peter used the name of the Lord Jesus in Acts 3:6 making the power of Jesus present for the man’s healing. We can call upon the name of the Lord today knowing his power is made present to save, heal and deliver. See Romans 10:13

the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings. Joshua 12:24 (ESV)

The longest month we can have is 31 days long, if we think of each day as a king to be conquered the application would be that we have a battle of some sort to fight everyday. Jesus said “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble “ in Matthew 6:34 and he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” in Luke 9:23

all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and half the tribe of Manasseh.” Joshua 13:6–7 (ESV)

God fights for his people and will drive the peoples from the land for them, but he will not divide the land for them this is a responsibility he has given to Joshua as the leader of the people. God has won the victory for us too but like Joshua we are called to follow his commands in regards to using what God has won for us. See Galatians 5:1

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (ESV)

Ever since this time there have been false Apostles, they pretend to be servants of God but they are inspired by Satan, satanic teaching and are full of hypocrisy. Showing one face to the people and another in private, they harbour evil doctrine and their core driving force is self exaltation through manipulation and deceit just like Satan.

This is evident all over the world from established apostate institutions like the Roman Catholic Church through to Word of Faith Prosperity Preachers on TV. Like Jesus said we should not be deceived by their schemes, we should submit to our true shepherds (Pastors and Elders) and stay on our guard against the deceivers, submitting to the guidance and truth of God’s word and the Holy Spirit.

We need to fight for the true faith against the perversions and lies of Satan’s servants. We are at war.

“See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” Psalm 52:7 (ESV)

We need to avoid the trap of trusting in our wages and possessions, we should put our faith in God

They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Psalm 53:3 (ESV)

Paul picks this up in Romans to prove that all men are under the condemnation of sin in Romans 3:10-12. This is why we needed a saviour in Jesus.

And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.” Joshua 10:25 (ESV)

Joshua uses the same words of encouragement he received from Moses and God to encourage the people to be strong and courageous as he speaks to the leaders he has just told to put the their feet on the enemy king’s necks.

We can learn from this that we to should be strong in the Lord and courageous as we battle the enemy know the enemy is under our feet. See Luke 10:19 and Romans 16:20

And all these kings joined their forces and came and encamped together at the waters of **Merom** to fight against Israel. Joshua 11:5 (ESV)

The word Merom has the following meaning “heights, (place) on high, being in an elevated position; by extension: pride, haughtiness, arrogance, an improperly high opinion of oneself; exaltation, high in honor and status” (Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words).

This helps us see a parallel truth which is that attacks will often come in the form of or from a place of pride, knowing this will help us to defeat the enemy, especially when that enemy is our own prideful flesh. We can win the battle by humbling ourselves. See 1 Peter 5:6

Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses. Joshua 11:15 (ESV)

Joshua like Jesus finished the work he had been sent to do (John 17:4). This gives us a great example of determined faithfulness, we should not procrastinate but wholly follow the Lord and finish the work he has called each of us to do.

Take time today to stop and think about anything the Lord has called you to do which you have left half done, determine in your heart to finish it, pray, make a plan and finish it. See Paul’s resolve in Acts 20:24

For it was the LORD’s doing to harden their hearts that they should come against Israel in battle, in order that they should be devoted to destruction and should receive no mercy but be destroyed, just as the LORD commanded Moses. Joshua 11:20 (ESV)

God hardens the heart of these people like he did to Pharaoh to accomplish his purpose, this was not open or random. God was orchestrating these coalitions so they could be judged and destroyed by Joshua.

In the same way in Gods sovereign plan, the hearts of the leaders were hardened against Jesus leading to the cross and ultimate victory. God is so sovereign he even uses the wicked, stubborn and cold in heart to be a part of the wider accomplishment of His plans. See Romans 9:18

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

The false teachers that had come against Paul in Corinth were doing the work of Satan by seducing the church with a new “false / inadequate” gospel. In the same way that Jesus is the last Adam, the Church is the last Eve.

Like the narrative in the garden we (the church) need to guard ourselves from the the type of seducing deception which lured Eve into apostasy.

Again this is a battle for the minds of the body of Christ, it is the thoughts of the church that Satan seeks to lead astray form single-mindedness in Christ. We must defend the biblical and orthodox interpretation of the scriptures and the Gospel handed down to us form those who went on before.

We should fully embrace the idea of being the bride of Christ and so be faithful in our thoughts and resulting actions to our loving husband Christ.

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV)

Paul was being very clear here. Jesus, Spirit and Gospel are each core elements of our Faith.

The true Jesus Christ who was crucified and rose from the dead. The True Holy Spirit given as a gift from God as the fulfilment of promise and the pledge of inheritance. The real Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation in Christ.

Paul knew that these three elements stand or fall together. “Another Jesus” would mean a “different Spirit,” since the Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9 and Philippians. 1:19), and a “different gospel,” since the gospel is about Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:12 and 9:13).”

In Paul’s time the different Gospel likely focused on health and wealth, possibly along the lines “The more law you keep the more blessed you will be” As these opponents were opposed to Paul’s message of weakness, suffering and servanthood in Christ.

Today we too must guard against false Gospels which distort the message, we deal with this in the WWMF production “The Gospel”

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psalm 51:4 (ESV)

We must take responsibility for our own sin and recognise we have sinned against God. Our culture subtly teaches us that it is never ultimately our fault… but it is

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17 (ESV)

As we mentioned earlier, cast pride aside and humbly bow before God