| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @July 13, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Joshua 18–19
Joshua 18:5–6 (ESV) 5 They shall divide it into seven portions. Judah shall continue in his territory on the south, and the house of Joseph shall continue in their territory on the north. 6 And you shall describe the land in seven divisions and bring the description here to me. And I will cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.
The whole congregation of the people assembled at Shiloh and there remained seven tribes whose inheritance had not been apportioned. Joshua gave orders to provide three men from each tribe to go up and down the land, write a description with a view to their inheritances and return to him. Lots would then be cast to establish how the land was to be apportioned. The casting of lots was used in this way to ensure that God Himself determined the allotment of the land. We typically think of rolling dice or flipping a coin on the basis of probability or chance, but its result is already known and set by our sovereign Lord. God created the universe, the order in which it operates, knows all that will happen within it and ensures that all outcomes will be as was founded from the beginning.
Psalms 149–150
Psalm 149:5–9 (ESV) 5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. 6 Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, 9 to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD!
The combination of praising God and executing judgment and punishment on the peoples is intriguing. The FSB Notes provides some helpful insights when it says, “The psalmist portrays the Israelites as the primary human agents in God’s judgment of wicked nations. The Israelites are not taking revenge for anything that they have experienced, but executing judgment on behalf of God’s justice (v. 9; compare Deut 9:4–6).” The people were instruments of judgment in the hands of Almighty God and this is honor to the godly ones when they act accordance to His divine direction. Now in a New Covenant context, we proceed in much the same way as instruments in the Redeemer’s hands, receiving honor as we abide in His Word, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations.
Jeremiah 9
Jeremiah 9:25–26 (ESV) 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
Punishment was promised to those only circumcised in the flesh and not in the heart. As the FSB says, “Transformation of the heart was more important than physical change.” Although they possessed the sign of covenantal belonging, they had succumbed to idolatry and thus reflected no genuine change of heart. God is not interested in external gestures if they are not from a heart of faith and earnest devotion to Him. “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6)
Matthew 23
Matthew 23:20–22 (ESV) 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who said that swearing by temple was nothing but that swearing by the gold of the temple or the gift on the altar was binding. There are three types of oath-swearing in these verses: 1) by the altar, 2) by the temple and 3) by heaven. Any oath sworn by such things was one sworn by God Himself, making them great in weight and accountability and thus not to be taken lightly or often. Jesus advocated refrain from taking oaths entirely when He said, “But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God” (Matt. 5:34). By the negative example given of the Pharisees and warning by Jesus Himself, it seems best that the saints avoid this activity completely.