finished promises

Finished Promises – Israel Keeps Its Promise to God

finished promises
finished promises

Taking into consideration that most of the promised land was conquered by Israel, did they really have to fight to gain the western areas?

Well, they did make a promise to God to help their fellow brothers take possession of the land.

In this lesson from Joshua, we’ll take a look at “finished promises”.

Discover how Israel kept theirs.

But, are we keeping ours?

Israel Keeps Its Promise to God – Bible Study Lesson – Joshua 22:1-34

After most of the land was taken and divided between the tribes of Israel, we would think that all was finished.

But, God still had work for some of the nation to accomplish before the job was complete. Did you ever leave a project before it was done?

A Promise to God – Kept..

“Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites and the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, and said to them, ‘You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, and have listened to my voice in all that I commanded you.

You have not forsaken your brothers these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.

And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as He spoke to them; therefore turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan.’ ” – Joshua 22:1-4 NASB

The Kept Promise

Truth is, God gives us promises about our future through the salvation of Jesus Christ, doesn’t He? Well, it’s just as important to keep our promises to Him.

Have you ever started a job and then, after it lost its initial glitter, decided that it was now “good enough” and stopped short of the final objective?

I’m sure we all have at one time or another.

“Turn now and go to your tents”

This is similar to what the nation of Israel was facing.

They had conquered all but the western section of the promised land – so why shouldn’t they go to their new home and enjoy what God had given them?

No Man (Person) Left Behind

The answer to the above question is simple – but not always easy to do. The tribes who were to take possession of the western section couldn’t go home until that land was taken.

So, the nation as a whole could not stop until every last tribe was able to live in their prospective lands.

As stated in verses 1-4, Joshua blessed them and sent them to their new homes when they accomplished everything God asked them to do.

They kept their word.

What About Our Work for God?

When God has a job for us to do, it’s easy to get distracted with other things. Some of these include:

  • work,
  • family,
  • worries of all sorts, etc.

keeping promisesNow, it’s a given that God’s work will get done – no matter if we finish it or someone else picks up where we left off.

The point here is to finish what we start; not because God can’t do it without us.

But, do it because we promised that we would see it through. It’s a matter of obedience.

And, God does notice.

 

Love in Christ

– Bob

If you would like to find out more about receiving the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 now.