Justin Houtz

Joshua 18, Hebrews 1

DateVersionReading Plan
July 24, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Joshua 18

Observation & Interpretation

Josh 18:1 – The land laid subdued before the people

  • The last clause of this deceptively simple verse likewise signals something of significance: “The land lay subdued before them.” There will be no further military campaigns in the book (ESVEC – Comment)

Josh. 18:2-3 – There were seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned and Joshua asked them how long the people would put off going to take possession of the land

  • Of the “nine and one-half tribes (Josh. 14:2) to settle west of the Jordan, only two and a half have received their territorial allotment; seven remain (ESVEC – Comment)

Josh. 18:2-10 – Joshua sent a group of men, three from each tribe, to survey the remaining seven tribes by lot (BBC)

Josh. 18:11-28 – Description of the allotment of the territories of Benjamin and their cities

Application

Josh. 18:1-10 – Israel finds itself poised in the midst of coming into the inheritance it has received as God’s gift but as a nation not having found rest. For the Christian the terms are shifted, but the dynamic is the same. God has given, the victory is won, and there is still work yet to do. (ESVEC – Response)

Hebrews 1

Observation & Interpretation

Heb. 1:1-2 – Contrast of both time and method between God “speaking to our fathers by the prophets” with speaking “by His Son”

Heb. 1:2 – Jesus was appointed the heir and Creator of all things

Heb. 1:3 – Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature

  • A clear declaration of Christ’s deity
  • “purification for sins” → Jesus’ propitiatory work on the cross
  • “sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high” → Jesus returned to sit next to the Father after His ascension

Heb. 1:4 – Christ’s superiority to angels

  • The acquired superiority results from [Jesus’] resurrection, ascension, and exaltation as Lord and Christ. In incarnation, He was made for a little while lower than the angels for the suffering of death (2:9). But God has exalted Him and enthroned Him in highest glory. (BBC)

Heb. 1:8 – In Psalm 45:6 God the Father hails the Messiah with the words, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Here again the deity of Christ is unmistakable, and the argument comes from the traditional Hebrew text (BBC)

Heb. 1:5-13 – Contrasting what God said about angels with what He said about Jesus

Heb. 1:14 – “those who are to inherit salvation” → the elect

  • the angels are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of God’s children

Application

Heb. 1:5-14 – We can appreciate angels’ service, but our hearts’ allegiance must belong to the Son. (ESVEC – Response)

Resources