In this morning’s reading, Joshua finishes assigning the Promised Land to Israel’s tribes! Israel finally takes possession of the land and settles it. The LORD gives them rest from their enemies, and not one of all the good promises the LORD had given was left unfulfilled! After some rather tedious reading about all the land grants, borders, and cities, we see something unique about Joshua.
After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a piece of land to Joshua as his allocation. For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the town and lived there. (Joshua 19:49–50, NLT)
In the end, Joshua got his portion after all the land was given out. Umm…wow! What a leader! After everyone was served, he took his portion. After everyone’s needs were met, he met his own. He waited four decades and stood at the back of the line. It’s no wonder the LORD chose him to lead his people! He was the last of all!
How backward is this thinking in a selfish, me-first world? This world believes that nice guys finish last. What’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is now mine. Who cares how you get to the top? Get to the top! It is all about first of all, not last of all! And the results? Misery, to say the least! While this is how the world’s economy works, how does God’s economy work? Notice the following teaching from Jesus.
The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11–12, NLT)
What kind of world would this be if this teaching was practiced? What kind of experience would we have in our nation, churches, workplaces, or families if the practice was last of all, not first of all? While this sounds fantastic, it is not practical. So, what is practical? As believers, you and I can let our light shine in a dark world and live “last of all” among the lost. The results?
…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16, NLT)
Oh…and last of all…
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. (Matthew 5:5, NLT)
Thank you for joining with me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Joshua 19:1-21:45.