This was uniquely reinforced when I read two passages and wanted to memorize both. Their conjunction in meaning emerged as I focused on the words, their meaning, and their application. Start with Joshua 21:
43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. 45 None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
1. The Lord (Yahweh in the Hebrew) is faithful. He gave them all the land He had promised. But that was not all. They took possession and settled, or lived there. First verse. He gave it–as promised. They took possession–as directed. And “settled,” implying that it was a long term and enjoyable occupation. This deals with their presence.
2. Second verse deals with their security. They had “rest,” meaning no war or terrorism. Note, “on every side.” And more importantly, “according to all he has sworn to their fathers.” Joshua embellishes this by reporting that not one of their enemies was able to stand. In fact, the Lord handed them over to the Israelites.
3. Summary and looking to the future. I love this. Read v. 45 again.
None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.
Now would you say that this implied that the Lord had “paid His debt” and would now abandon them? M`e genito! May it never be! Rather the opposite is implied. The fact that they walked away from this provision and suffered for it does not infer a change of God’s intent. It may cast “aspersions” upon their intellect and integrity, but God’s faithfulness is not compromised.
Now consider my “second” verse of the week (month?). Psalm 8:1
O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!
The “majestic” name of God is displayed in all the earth and the heavens. (Aside: Note the plural verb for “Who.”) Tie that in to the previous passage. Whose honor was at stake? Would the rag tag army of pilgrims (John Wayne’s description) be ridiculed for failing to conquer the land occupied by seven established nations? Their loss was expected and anticipated. Then Jericho fell, literally. And the Lord began to display His power and authority.
Majesty implies power and authority. It also reflects ability to produce. And the story in Joshua illustrates that to a “T.” In addition to that, the splendor of God is showcased here and in the heavens above. We have talked about the wonders of just the atmosphere and then the entire universe out there. Parts of “His Splendor” are not even seen yet.
There is a new telescope being prepared for space. It is twice as big as the Hubble scope. I am not sure how that translates to “power” and magnification, but what we have is impressive. It is going to take a giant leap forward. And every time that it does, the discoveries expose even more of the “splendor.” It is curious how the Lord “hid” so much. In fact what we have already “seen” is just a minute fraction of what it “out there.”
It reminds me of some other “hidden” things. Matthew 11;25 and Luke 10:21 quote Jesus saying that His Father had “hidden things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants.” And Paul, in Colossians 2:3 declares that Christ holds all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” And He reveals them.
Sometimes He uses a big telescope. Other times He uses the font of type on a page. And most often He uses that “still, small voice,” that He unleashed on the proud but dejected Elijah. Whatever your emotion at the time, He can penetrate it and reveal something hidden. Something that we need.
I am listening.
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