What role does obedience play in receiving God's promises, as illustrated in Joshua 19:24? Setting the Scene “The fifth lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Asher.” (Joshua 19:24) What’s Happening? • Israel has crossed the Jordan, fought numerous battles, and is now dividing the land by lots under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 14:1–2). • Each allotment is an installment of God’s ancient promise to give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7; 17:8). • Drawing lots expresses both submission to God’s choice (Proverbs 16:33) and Israel’s willingness to live inside the boundaries He assigns. Obedience and the Promise—How They Intersect • Accepting God’s method – The tribes obeyed by agreeing to the system of casting lots rather than lobbying for the territory they preferred. • Stepping into the inheritance – Receiving a boundary line on parchment was only step one; Asher still had to move in, build, cultivate, and guard the inheritance (Joshua 17:12–13). • Continuing faithfulness – Remaining in covenant with the Lord guaranteed ongoing blessing in the land (Deuteronomy 28:1–2). Disobedience would forfeit enjoyment of the promise (Joshua 23:12–13). What This Teaches Us About Obedience Today • God’s promises are gifts, yet they are entered and enjoyed through active, trusting obedience. • Obedience often means accepting His allocation rather than insisting on our own plans. • Faith-filled action—stepping into what God assigns—turns promise into personal possession. • Ongoing obedience keeps the door to blessing open; compromise closes it. Other Passages That Echo the Pattern • Deuteronomy 30:16 – “If you obey… you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you…” • John 14:21 – “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me… and I will manifest Myself to him.” • Hebrews 6:12 – “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” • James 1:25 – “The one who looks intently into the perfect law… and continues in it… will be blessed in what he does.” Obedience does not earn God’s promises; it positions us to receive, occupy, and enjoy them—just as Asher’s clans did when they accepted their lot and stepped into the land prepared for them. |
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