(Joshua19)

When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it.(Joshua 19:49-50)

    In the final division of the west of the Jordan river, Joshua sent people to conduct field surveys and draw maps, so that the remaining seven tribes were able to divide all the land by casting lots at the gate of the tent of meeting in Shiloh before the Lord. What is worth pondering is that Caleb and Joshua were the only two good spies who spied on Canaan, stood alone, and reported the good news. What place did they choose? From the record of Joshua chapters 14 and 19: Caleb was the first choice among the subdivisions to the west of the Jordan; he did not choose an easy-to-capture or superior location, but a dangerous place—the greatest figure of the Anakis. The place where Ba is located-Gilead Abba, is the famous Hebron of later generations (Joshua 14). Joshua was the last chosen in the west of the Jordan River. He chose a city in the Ephraim Mountains called Timnasila. The name of the city was "The Remaining Part". There are strong enemies (Joshua 17: 14-18).

    Caleb, who picked the land first, and Joshua, who chose the land last, chose to attack the place where the most dangerous and terrifying Anakis (giants) were. They were not selfish, pick what others have left, and reclaim the worst areas. From the choices of these two people, we can see that they are really not easy. No wonder it is the only leader among all Israelis who have walked through the Red Sea, spied on Canaan, and stepped into Canaan with faith.

    This is why they have been able to stand unshakably before God and the people for more than four decades. By carefully observing what they have said, the way they have traveled, and the place they have chosen, we can reflect on what kind of leaders in the church today need to have. Traits? What can we learn and imitate from them? Whether it is a person who took care of a class or the head of the Taiwan General Conference, can we be as humble, confident, loyal to God, not greedy, and not selfish like the two of them? Become a good leader and fulfill the duty of feeding and shepherding among the flock, just as Elder Peter said: I, as an elder, a testimony of Christ’s suffering, and sharing the glory that will be revealed later, urge you to be with me. A fellow elder. Shepherd the flock of God among you and take care of them according to God's will; not out of reluctance, but out of willingness; not out of greed, but out of willingness. Nor is it entrusted to you by the rule, but to be an example to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3) I hope that we can all learn from Caleb's faith in following Jehovah's perilous faith and Joshua's example of setting a good example, and look after each other in the sheepfold of the church, inspire love, and encourage good deeds! (Hebrews 10:24)

    Follow the example of the "Shepherd" Lord Christ, focus on him, and work hard to run the path of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven!

Translated by Nicole

The Remaining Seven Tribes Allot Their Inheritance(Joshua18)

Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?(Joshua 18:3) 

This chapter and the next chapter are the processes of the second division of land. Over time, relying on the power of God, the three tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh among the twelve tribes of Israel have all allocated their land east of the river.  The other two and a half tribes who live on the west side of the river are about to return to their land. The tribe of Levi did not divide the land and the remaining seven tribes were slow to move, indifferent to the land they deserved.

Joshua inherited Moses' desire to serve God exclusively-to move the Tabernacle from Gilgal to Shiloh (in the territory of Ephraim), the center of Canaan. Because God's tabernacle is among the elect, the elect can be blessed by it.

While the entire congregation was gathered in Shiloh, he rebuked the seven tribes and ordered them to quickly form a "21-person task force." This team must travel all over those places without fear of difficulty; The distribution and other information are drawn into a map. Divide the land into seven so that Joshua can draw lots for them before God.

The idleness and inaction of these seven tribes are like when we lose our watchful heart after receiving the truth and think that we are still spiritually rich, but in fact, we no longer follow the Lord exclusively and humbly. On the surface, I believe in the Lord. But I still love the world in my heart. I have the mark of the Holy Spirit on my body, but I don’t want to make progress. If you still harden your heart and insist on going your way, the Holy Spirit will treat us as lukewarm water and will eventually spit out by the Lord Jesus.

(Romans 12：11-12)

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

There is a sister who lives overseas. After believing in the Lord, she did not read the Bible and pray for a while as she need to study, work, and take care of her family. She even joked to God: "Lord Jesus! You know I haven’t read the Bible for a long time?”. Until one day she had a dream in which she was one of five foolish virgins. Knowing in her heart that the lamp in her hand is out of oil, she still waits for the Lord Jesus with everyone. Suddenly someone knocked on the door and shouted: "The Lord Jesus is coming soon!" At this time, she noticed her lamp. Not only was there no oil in it, but there was also a thick layer of ash. After waking up, she was ashamed and kept asking God for forgiveness. If it were not for the mercy of the Lord Jesus, she might have already been punished for offending God. This was the Lord Jesus’ warning to her and also reminded us that the Lord’s Day is at the door. His delay is still waiting for us who are lost, hurry us back to the right path.

(Matthew 25:13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Translated by Niclole

The Land of Judah (Joshua15)

 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of according to their families:(Joshua,15:20)  

    The inheritance of the tribe of Judah of the children of Judah can be separate to 29 cities in the south, as well as villages belonged to the cities. (Joshua,15:21-32) There are 39 cities in the plateau, and there are villages belonged to the cities (Verse 3-44). Cities and regions that were originally belonged to the Philistines (Verse 45-47). There are 38 villages in the mountain, and there are also villages that belonged to the cities. There are six cities in the wilderness and villages belonging to cities (Verse 61-62) There are more than 116 cities in total. With a total of more than 116 cities, it can be described as a huge inheritance because of its large population. (Numbers,26:22) 

    (Genesis,49:8) "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. (Genesis,49:9) Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 

    The People of Israel’s ancestor Jacob predicted and expected that the descendants of Judah would be strong and God did give many cities but they need to have faith to attack the cities, Caleb belong to the Judah tribe and Othniel was the son in law of Caleb. Othniel was also the first judge of Israelites. His daughter also boldly seek the water spring. From the above point we can see that Judah tribe have a firmly faith toward the land promise by God. According to God’s word, they seek by the way God instructed therefore the land of Judah can be said won because of faith. 

    (Genesis,49,10) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people 

    (1 Chronicles,5:2) yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's 

    King were from Judah, which prove Jacob’s prophecy. David, the descendent of Judah, who were a righteous king who follow God’s instruction. David’s descendent inherent the position of king from David. When Jesus was on Earth by flesh, God was descendent of David, which fully prove Jacob’s prophecy and demonstrates the righteous king by Judah tribes. 

    (Genesis, 44:33) Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 

    Judah’s blessing was started from his witness to sacrifice for his brother, this is from the love that Judah have that makes him want to make his family peaceful. This helped him to received high review and blessing from his father Jacob. Judah was weak in faith before but God uses Jacob’s blessing to prove that these blessings are on Judah. Which demonstrates that, God bless those who are willing to change. Maybe we don’t love our family enough and may lose faith to God’s promise. If we are willing to change, seek for the happiness, faith given by God then God will bless our descendants. Spiritual leader will come out as our descendent. May all of us can truly believe God’s hope on us, boldly pray to God and believe that God will fulfil us according to our faith. 

    (Hebrews, 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Translated by Nicole