Your Story

Introduction

Driving through Cheyenne - nothing much changes.

Driving through Shawnee - a lot has changed!

Places of nostalgia, reminders of people and stories.

For the modern readers of Joshua, this chapter might seem laborious and boring. But to the Israelites a little closer, this would be a chapter filled with nostalgia.

We will take that journey and learn about us and about God.

Two Backwards

The Wilderness of Zin

Two locations, the desert of Sin and the desert of Zin. Events which some of them would remember.

Sin, where the people grumbled and God told Moses to strike the rock, and the water flowed.

Zin, where Moses was supposed to speak to the rock, he struck it instead because of his frustration and anger. God was still faithful, but Moses was not.

Zin serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in spite of our sin.

The Valley of Achor

An event much closer, Joshua 7. The sin of Achan which caused the deaths of several from the army of Israel as they were defeated by the forces of Ai. Then Achan and all that was his was destroyed in the valley of Achor.

Achor serves as a reminder of the disastrous consequences of sin.

Two Forward

From this period forward, locations that they did not yet realize would play a huge role in their history.

The Valley of Hinnom

This valley runs along the outskirts of Jerusalem. A site of child sacrifices under Ahaz and Manasseh.

2 Kings 23:10 ESV

And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech.

A site so filled with pain that it became a trash heap, the valley (ge-) of hinnom. Gehenna, the word that is used in the New Testament for hell, a place where there is gnashing of teeth and the fires are never quenched.

Hinnom serves as a reminder that rejection of God brings destruction.

Jebusite

Then, the Jebusite city, which would be a stronghold for them until David finally conquers the city and renames it Jerusalem. This constant city in their midst reminding them of how they have yet to fully accomplish what God has called them to do. And yet, God is still with them as they live and settle in all the other cities in the Promised Land. God does not remove Himself nor His blessing from the people.

Jebusite serves to remind that God is faithful.

A Blessing Beyond

(vv. 13-19)

We shift to complete the conquest of Caleb over the Anakim. He offers his daughter to whoever can take the city of Debir and Othniel, a name that appears again in Judges, takes up the challenges and wins the hand of Achsah. They are in the Negev, a desert region where water is scarce. So she and Othniel approach Caleb for springs.

Caleb, being a good and faithful father, gives her both upper and lower springs.

The good father blesses beyond what is asked.

God blesses His children in extraordinary ways.

As we are faithful, and go to Him, He hears us and He responds.

The idea that some things are too insignificant to bring to God is a lie that Satan uses to keep us from praying.

Pray with boldness.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

A Struggle Beyond

(v. 63)

Until David finally purchased the field of Araunah in 1 Chronicles 21 and 2 Samuel 24 - the site where the Temple would be built. The conquest would only then be complete.

This city would be the place where Jesus, the Son of God, would go to die for our sins.

Forgiveness God knew we would need long before He created the heavens and the earth.

God has a plan.

God had a plan to bring about salvation.

He has a plan for your life now.

Are you open to it?

Conclusion

The story of the Israelites was entering a new chapter.

It existed long before this generation entered into the Promised Land. And God had more for the children of Israel moving forward.

It would culminate in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.

But, it does not end there. You are part of God’s story.

Your story continues.