The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Joshua 19-22
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Background Information: Joshua 19-22
Accidentally killing someone in the cultures outside of Israel would have been responded to with murder as an act of revenge. The cities of refuge considered both the value of human life and the reality of sinful human nature. Revenge killing for an accident was not proportional justice. So why not just say to the offended family, “Don’t respond with revenge?” The law did say this, but it also provided a way for the offender to move away and live in safety because sinful human emotions are very strong. In human history, revenge killings have formed cycles of murder that have lasted for decades and have even become full blown wars. There is much wisdom in having these cities in the land. Notice also that they have a teaching function. The one who has fled to the city is free to leave when the priest dies. This is an example of substitutionary death. God built this principle into Israel’s life in so many ways. Joshua 22:43-45 must not be passed over without reflection. God had kept every one of his promises; he was faithful to his covenant. As we continue to read Israel’s history, we will see that they will prove to be continually unfaithful to the covenant.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for the preaching of the word at River. Pray that the gospel would be proclaimed fearlessly.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call some now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.
Review the Storyline Map: Where we are in the Bible
Act 1 God’s Plan for All People
Scene 1: The Creation: The God of all of life.
Scene 2: The Fall: Rejecting God’s vision for life
Scene 3: The Flood: God judges and makes a covenant to preserve life
Act 2 God’s Covenant People
Scene 1: The People: God calls a Covenant People
Scene 2: Deliverance: God rescues his people.
Scene 3: The Sinai Covenant and law: God embraces and instructs his people
Week 12:
Scene 4: The Land: God’s place for his people
Day 1: Joshua 3-6
Day 2: Joshua 7-10
Day 3: Joshua 11-14
Day 4: Joshua 15-18
Day 5: Joshua 19-22
Day 6: Joshua 23-24, Judges 1
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Scene 6: Kings and Prophets: God divides the kingdom people.
Scene 7: Kings and Prophets: The southern kingdom as God’s people
Scene 8: Exile: God disciplines his people
Scene 9: Return: God delivers his people again
Act 3 God’s New Covenant People
Scene 1: Christ’s coming: God’s true king arrives
Scene 2: Christ’s ministry: God’s true king manifest his kingdom
Scene 3: Christ’s deliverance of his people: God’s work through the death, resurrection, and enthronement of his king
Scene 4: Christ’s church: God’s people advance the kingdom
Scene 5: Christ second coming: God future for the kingdom