Joshua 12:7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; :8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: We left Chapter 8 and came directly to chapter 12. The reason for this is because we started our devotions in chapter 9 and went up to chapter 11. Once we reach chapter 11 went went back to the beginning of the book. If you didn't have a chance to read the devotions from chapter 9-11 you can find them here: https://www.besorbaptistentebbe.com/blog Yesterday in chapter 12 we talked about our heavenly inheritance. That inheritance is one that, despite our best efforts, we could never fathom or dream about it's sort or brilliance. Even it is stated in the scriptures: 1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Our minds cannot grasp that inheritance but by His Spirit our hearts can. Today I want to look at the children of Israel's inheritance from a earthly light instead of a heavenly light and make the application useful for us. Notice with me the variety of their inheritance, "In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country....." I've included a map to show you the divisions of the land to the different tribes. Look now at the map and how diverse their inheritance was.
Notice how some had more than others, some had very mountainous lands, some had lands in the plains, some were by the sea some were far from any large bodies of water. Manasseh had land on both sides of the Jordan, Simeon was land locked by Judah, Zebulun, Issachar and Dan had much less land mass than the other tribes. The point I'm getting at was how their earthly inheritance was so different from one another. Their battles were the same, their captain was the same, their inheritance was the same, in a general or heavenly sense, they were all fighting for the promise land but in a more practical or earthly sense their lots were very different.
Now for us, our heavenly lot is all the same. All who will believed on Jesus will gain that heavenly inheritance but our lots on this earth are often times very different. Some will have more than others ,some will have less. Someones lot from your perspective may seem much better or worse than your lot. Our Captain is the same, our fight is the same, our Gospel is the same, our eternal inheritance is the same but our earthly lots and divisions are very different. These divisions were made by their captain and we don't read about any complaints in this chapter.
Our lot in this life is laid out by the hand of God. We can look at our brother and wonder why he has more than us or why our lot seems so much tougher than his. That train of thought takes you to a place of bitterness and jealousy and you are not one bit more satisfied with your lot, but less. The lesson we have to learn is to be content with what God gives us. If he gives you a large lot in this life then thank God and be very careful not to become ungrateful. If He gives you a small lot in this life then thank God and be careful not to become jealous. Listen to the words of wisdom given to Timothy by Paul:
1 Timothy 6:5 ...........Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. :6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
The truth is this, if your lot in life doesn't satisfy you then your brothers lot won't either. Some suppose that things are great gain, or positions are great gain or large plots or large families or houses,cars and list goes on and on and on. All this is a grand misconception, smoke and mirrors the devil has deceived men with for millenniums. Forget all those things and consider this. If you are content with what you have what else do you need?
After all what men are looking for is contentment, where they ere is in thinking that things of this world will satisfy and content theirs unsatisfied and never content souls. That delusion is for the lost, who don't know what they are doing or why they are living and their biggest ambitions are wrapped up in obtaining piles of materials goods that will one day melt with the fervent heat of God's judgment. Dear christian reader, let us hope and pray that we never degenerate to such ways of thinking.
Back now to the earthly matter of our inheritance or lot here. Be satisfied with your lot in life because you would not be satisfied with your brothers. Stop looking at your brothers cross that seems to be all roses because what you don't see are the thorns that he bears in his spirit to carry that cross. Stop looking at your cross with disgust and horror, believing that if your cross were of this sort or that you would without doubt bear it. Dear friend, take up YOUR cross and follow him. After all, His cross was far to heavy for the likes of me and you but your cross.........you can bear.
Has God given you a seemingly small lot in this life? Has God given you a seemingly large lot in this life? Be content with your lot in this life. Don't try to live in your brothers lot when God has placed you in your lot. After all, when we reach heaven the first shall be last.
Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country;.....
Onward Christian Soldier!!