What role does obedience play in receiving God's promises, as seen in Joshua 18:11? Setting the Scene in Joshua 18:11 – Israel has entered Canaan, subdued its key strongholds, and gathered at Shiloh where the tabernacle now stands (Joshua 18:1). – Seven tribes still lack their inheritance because they have not yet asserted full possession (Joshua 18:2-3). – Joshua instructs them to survey the land and present written descriptions; then he will divide it by lot before the LORD (Joshua 18:4-6). – Verse 11 records the first result of that obedient process: “The lot came out for the clans of the tribe of Benjamin: The territory allotted to them lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph.” God’s Promise Confirmed Through the Lot – Centuries earlier, God pledged land to Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:7). – Casting lots before the LORD made clear that the division came from Him, not human preference (Proverbs 16:33). – By faithfully ordering the survey, gathering the people, and casting lots, Joshua acted in line with the earlier command: “Divide the land as an inheritance” (Joshua 1:6). – The outcome for Benjamin is evidence that God’s promise moves from word to reality when His people follow His instructions. Obedience Opens the Door to Possession • God had already given the land in principle, yet Israel’s enjoyment of it depended on: – Responding to Joshua’s call instead of remaining complacent (Joshua 18:3). – Completing the survey exactly as told (Joshua 18:4-9). – Submitting to the lot without dispute (Joshua 18:10-11). • Their obedience did not earn the promise; it positioned them to receive what grace had already guaranteed. • In the same way, believers today do not create God’s blessings by good works, yet obedience is the channel through which those blessings flow (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; John 14:21). Lessons for Believers Today – Promises may be certain, yet complacency can delay their enjoyment. – Specific acts of obedience—however mundane—often precede visible fulfillment. – God’s methods (e.g., lots, surveys, step-by-step instruction) underline His sovereignty; obedience shows we trust His ordering more than our own plans. Supporting Scriptures on Obedience and Promise • Joshua 21:43-45 – God’s word fulfilled “not one of all the LORD’s good promises … failed.” • Deuteronomy 28:1-2 – Blessings that “overtake” those who heed His voice. • 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • James 1:25 – The “perfect law of freedom” blesses those who do it, not hear only. Practical Steps Toward Obedient Faith 1. Identify any “unfinished business” God has already spoken about—then act. 2. Submit decisions to God’s means of guidance (Scripture, godly counsel, prayer). 3. Accept His allocation—whether location, calling, or gifting—without envy. 4. Keep gratitude foremost; obedience is a response to grace, not a means to earn it. |
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