April 20 – Phinehas Returns to Punish the Wrongdoers!

TODAY’S BIBLE READING CHALLENGE:
Joshua 21:1-22:20
Luke 20:1-26
Psalm 89:1-13
Proverbs 13:15-16

Joshua 21:3 — From Wayne Stiles:

After Joshua parceled out the land of Canaan to the 12 tribes at Shiloh, the priestly tribe of Levi received an inheritance far different from the others (Josh. 21).

  • Rather than getting a portion of land on which the tribe could settle, the tribe of Levi acquired Levitical Cities scattered throughout the other tribes.
  • Strategically placed along main roads, this distribution of the 48 Levitical cities among the 12 tribes meant that any Hebrew who needed the wisdom of God’s Word had to travel no longer than one day to find a priest.

Years earlier, Moses had blessed each tribe, praying specifically for the Levites:

“They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law.” — Deut. 33:10 The distribution of the Levitical cities made the ministry of God’s Word more accessible to His people.

Joshua 21:45 — This is a verse that deserves to be highlighted! “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.” (KJV)

Joshua 22:5 — Heed the Law, love God, walk in His way, cleave to God, serve God.

Joshua 22:13 — Phinehas, the bold defender of truth! Phinehas was born in Exodus 6:25, he punished the wrongdoers in Numbers 25:8, he was the reason God spared Israel in Numbers 25:11, he was given a covenant of peace in Numbers 25:12, he was given an everlasting priesthood in Numbers 25:13, he led the Israelites in their battle with the Midianites in Numbers 31:6, and in this verse he leads the dignitaries to confront the tribes that are building an altar that they believe should be destroyed according to Exodus 34:13 and Deuteronomy 7:5. What happens? Come back tomorrow!

Tyree AME Church. This medieval stone church was originally built around 1870, with the north addition completed around 1885.

Luke 20:17-18 — Jesus spent the passage yesterday referencing the destruction of the very stones of the Temple, and now today He is saying He is the new Cornerstone!

Psalm 89:1 — Will you sing of the mercies of the Lord?

Psalm 87:9 — We pointed out earlier the fulfillment of this claim to God’s omnipotence!

Proverbs 13:15 — The biggest lie of sin is that it’s not a big deal. No, the way of the transgressor is hard!

Sin will take you farther than you want to go,
keep you longer than you want to stay,
and cost you more than you want to pay.

Share how reading through the Bible has been a blessing to you! E-mail us at 2018bible@vcyamerica.org or call and leave a message at 414-885-5370.

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