Justin Houtz

Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9

DateVersionReading Plan
March 24, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Joshua 18-20

Observation & Interpretation

Joshua 18 through 20 deal primarily with the allotment of the remaining territories of the promised land. There remained seven tribes who had no received their allotment, so Joshua told the people to provide three men from each tribe to go up and down the land and write down a description of it. The men did so and then Joshua cast lots for the apportioning of the land. The order of the lots cast went to the following tribes

  1. Benjamin
  2. Simeon
  3. Zebulun
  4. Issachar
  5. Asher
  6. Naphtali
  7. Dan

Joshua was also given his inheritance—Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim—by command of the LORD. This concluded the division of the land.

Application

We see the LORD’s faithfulness on display in the fulfillment of HIs promises to complete the land apportionment. What He had said to Moses had now come to fruition. By this we are reminded that God does all that He says. Though we waver in our word, God remains steadfast in His Word. May we praise Him for all that He is and worship the One who never fails, never leaves and never forsakes.

1 Corinthians 9

Observation & Interpretation

Through rhetorical question, Paul speaks of how he has rights as an apostle, but that he had no made use of them, choosing instead to make himself a servant of all, that he might win more of them. Paul advocated for the running of the race to obtain the prize. “Here, of course, the prize is not salvation, but a reward for faithful service.” (BBC) Paul disciplined his body and kept it under control, lest after preaching to others he should be disqualified.

Application

We have rights to receive certain benefits, but in order to place the winning of others to Christ above ourselves, these may need to be sacrificed. What we ultimately need—God Himself in Jesus Christ—we have already received, thus making the jettison of such rights no net loss. It is the call to take up our cross and follow our Savior who Himself suffered in order to bring redemption through His blood. Let us then willingly and joyfully relinquish what is needed to reach others with this great news and so by magnify His glory.

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