Secondly, because of the cross, we are to live hopeful and expectant lives, always keeping in mind that Jesus purchased an inheritance for us which will not spoil and cannot be stolen or lost. This gives us hope and joy, keeps us fighting our sins and lusts, inspires us to keep going through any and every trial and makes us strong in faith knowing that every situation on earth eventually ends well!
“Israel’s inheritance of the land of Canaan has a typological significance for the church. It is a pointer to the possession that believers will receive in the heavenly kingdom.”--Welwyn Commentary Series, Joshua Strong and Courageous
Notice what God says about your inheritance:
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
The Greek word Peter uses for ‘inheritance’ is the same word the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) uses when speaking of Israel’s inheritance in the land of promise. Peter is essentially applying Joshua chapters 13-24 to you! Joshua is telling about the inheritance of the 12 tribes, but God is teaching you to look forward to a day when you will receive an inheritance, and calls you to live in hopeful expectation of it.
This is what Joshua 13-24 illustrates so clearly for believers: we are heading for the celestial city, the city with eternal foundations, and the land that will never perish or fade away—our inheritance! In light of that, let us live our lives for the glory of Jesus Christ, who purchased our entire future in heaven through His death on the cross. Let us do everything we do in Jesus’ name, for Jesus’ glory; and most importantly, let us tell Jesus’ story to as many as we can!
Question 4. Do you see that you can live expectantly, confidently knowing that you have an eternal inheritance bought and paid for by Jesus Christ? What hope does this give you today?
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Karen writes, "I can never be reminded enough for what Christ has done for me. It gives me amazing hope when I meditate on the fact that Jesus died a horrific death and rose to life that I may have eternity with Him and all His benefits here on earth. I walk in victory over sin an death because Jesus took it all. It gives me strength to live for Him and I want others to come to know the saving love of Jesus Christ."
Kelly writes, "Amen! The end has been established from the beginning! I always struggled with understanding how our Eternal inheritance gives us hope in present struggles, suffering and afflictions. I couldn’t quite get it. Yes everything will be fine in the end but what about now? But this lesson has made this so clear to me. All roads whether smooth or rocky ends at the same place, our Eternal Inheritance, which is with Jesus, with God in the unending Joys of Eternity.
If the gift of a millions dollars sitting in the bank is mine, what difference does it make if the walk is hazardous and long getting there."
One of the Puritan prayers in The Valley of Vision puts it well:
May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,
Declaring plainly that I seek a country,
My title to it becoming daily more clear,
My meetness [i.e. fitness] for it more perfect,
My foretastes of it more abundant;
And whatsoever I do, may it be done in the Saviour’s name.
“Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.” --Dwight L. Moody
Amanda writes, "Yes it was. With the thoughts of Moses representing the law and Joshua, Jesus I am thinking about the Israelites and how they are a picture of us. We read the stories of how ungrateful and lacking faith in the God who delivered them from Egypt through plagues and how the were constantly murmuring and complaining. Their food magically appeared in the mornings. Their shoes never wore out. They saw miracles that we couldn't imagine, and yet they had no faith. It's easy to be aggravated at them and I often feel sorry for Moses having to deal with them. I hope I would not act that way. Then I look back on my life and see the many times I have acted that way. My unbelief, my complaining and murmuring, my focus on other things besides the Lord, blinding me from seeing His miracles, His mercy and grace.Then I think of the people who had seen the miracles of Jesus, who had been healed by Him, those who walked with Him daily, yet He died alone. No one stood up for Him. What would I have done? What am I doing now? I am so thankful that the Lord is so merciful and gracious. He does not give us what we deserve. He is so wonderful and what a blessing it is to serve a living and wonderful Savior."
Carol writes, "Yes. It helps to solidify in my mind that I am a child of God. I am worthy and I am forgiven. Also this study brings the Bible to life and I see how the NT and OT fit together. Things I have never seen before. I read the whole bible one year but I didn’t understand it. Now I am beginning to do so."
Karen writes, "Yes, I feel my heart strengthening in faith as I dwell on the Truth of God's love and faithfulness in His son, Jesus. I love the above quote, as this earth can feel like such a wilderness, but we will be in the Promised Land!"
In the next chapters, we begin looking at the allotment of land to each individual tribe. This is God’s Word, designed to increase our faith.