April 20 – Phinehas returns to punish the wrongdoers!

April 20
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. 33:10The 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.

Joshua 22:5 – Heed the Law, Love God, Walk His Way, Cleave to God, Serve God.

Joshua 22:13 – Phinehas, the bold defender of truth! Phinehas was born in Exodus 6:25, punished the wrong doers in Numbers 25:8, and was the reason God spared Israel in Number 25:11, given an covenant of peace in Numbers 25:12, an everlasting priesthood in Numbers 25:13, led the battle with the Midianites in Numbers 31:6, and now is leading the dignitaries to confront these 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!

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?