Joshua

Joshua 21: God keeps every good promise

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the list of cities and the account of Israel receiving rest, let us pray to the faithful God. The verse below recalls His covenant with Moses and Israel, so ask Him to help us trust His word and see Christ.

Yahweh said to Moses, “Write you these words: for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

Exodus 34:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand how You kept Your promises to Israel, and show us the lasting rest Jesus gives. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The heads of the Levites ask for the cities the LORD commanded through Moses. Israel gives cities to the families of Levi, with places around them for their livestock. The chapter names forty-eight cities in all. The LORD gives Israel the land He swore to their fathers, and they possess it and live there. He gives them rest all around and delivers their enemies into their hand. Nothing fails of the good things the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel.

As you read Joshua 21, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives Israel the land and rest He promised.

The heads of the Levites came to Eleazar, Joshua and the tribal heads at Shiloh (verse 1). They said the LORD had commanded through Moses to give them cities to live in, with land around them for their animals (verse 2). Israel gave the Levites forty-eight cities out of its own inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD (verses 3 and 41). The Levites had no land of their own (Joshua 13 verse 33), so they lived in cities among all the tribes. The LORD gave Israel all the land He swore to give their fathers, and they lived in it (verse 43). The LORD gave them rest all around, as He had sworn, and not one enemy stood before them (verse 44). Peoples did stay in the land (Joshua 15 verse 63), yet no enemy could stand before Israel (verse 44). Nothing failed of any good thing the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel (verse 45).

How does Joshua 21 show us that God gives Israel the land and rest He promised?

The Levites receive the cities God commanded.

The heads of the Levites came to Eleazar and Joshua at Shiloh (verse 1). They said the LORD had commanded through Moses to give them cities to live in, with land for their animals (verse 2). Israel gave the cities out of its own inheritance, according to the commandment of the LORD (verse 3). In all the Levites received forty-eight cities (verse 41).

God gives Israel land and rest.

Verses 43 and 44 say the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to their fathers. They possessed it and lived in it (verse 43). The LORD gave them rest all around, and not one enemy stood before them (verse 44).

None of God's good words to Israel fails.

Verse 45 says nothing failed of any good thing the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Paul wrote that Christ confirmed the promises given to the fathers (Romans 15 verse 8). This is God's word to Israel then, and it promises no land or easy life to our family.

Memorise

Nothing failed of any good thing which Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

Joshua 21:45

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I trying to earn the peace that only Jesus gives?

Nothing failed of any good thing the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Paul wrote that Jesus Christ confirmed the promises given to the fathers (Romans 15 verse 8).

The greatest promise God made was a Savior for sinners. Jesus Christ kept it when He died for His people at the cross. The work He finished there never needs to be done again. God raised Him from the dead.

So you can trust Jesus, because God keeps His word. Turn from your sin and come to Him. Everyone who trusts Him will find that He forgives.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD kept every good promise He made to Israel, and that He keeps His word in Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word does not fail, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

Psalm 89:5

Faithful Father, thank You that every good word You spoke to Israel came to pass. Please turn us away from trying to earn Your favor, and lead us to believe in Jesus. When this week is hard, help our family remember that Your word stands and Christ is enough. Amen.