Faith and change

by Ben

I read Joshua 11-14.

This section didn't really jump out at me, but I feel compelled to mention two things in relation to this section.

In Joshua 13, God tells Joshua that although he's had a "good, long life" that there is still more work to be done (more land to be taken). Here's the interesting part though, Joshua through God's orders, allots the lands that they have taken and the lands that they have not taken yet as inheritance to the tribes of Israel. That's gutsy. Faithful, but gutsy. I suppose that it could also instill the people of Israel with faith that they will do everything God has commanded (and considering their record, they need all of the reminders they can get).

Anyhow, the other point that seemed interesting (if not comical) was the last line of chapter 14: "And the land had rest from war." Which my immediate thought was that it needed an addition of "but not for long." However, this is a key break in the story of Joshua and the people of Israel. These people come out of slavery, spend 40 years in the wilderness, get themselves organized, and then enter into conflicts with all sorts of people across the surrounding lands. This simple line changes the tenor of the Israelites journey. Let's wait to see what comes next.