April 18

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Joshua 16:1-18:28
(2011) (1) Always fascinated how the "dead" are referred to as if they are "alive"...as in the case of Joseph and the allotment provided for Ephraim & Manasseh:

The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan of Jericho...4 So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance...(17:1) This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn.

Seems it is a natural reference to the covenant relationship between parents & children.

2.(2012) Henry comments on gratitude and contentment:

The word for complainers (Jude 16) is mempsimoiroi, blamers of their lot:-1. That they were very numerous, through the blessing of God upon them (v. 14): I am a great people, for the Lord has blessed me; and we have reason to hope that he that hath sent mouths will send meat. "I am a great people, and in so small a lot shall not have room to thrive." Yet observe, when they speak thankfully of their present increase, they do not speak confidently of the continuance of it. "The Lord has blessed me hitherto, however he may see fit to deal with me for the future." The uncertainty of what may be must not make us unthankful for what has been and is done in kindness to us. 2. That a good part of that country which had now fallen to their lot was in the hands of the Canaanites, and that they were formidable enemies, who brought into the field of battle chariots of iron (v. 16), that is, chariots with long scythes fastened to the sides of them, or the axle-tree, which made great destruction of all that came in their way, mowing them down like corn. They urge that though they had a good portion assigned them, yet it was in bad hands, and they could not come to the possession of it, wishing to have their lot in those countries that were more thoroughly reduced than this was.

II. Joshua endeavours to reconcile them to their lot. He owns they were a great people, and being two tribes ought to have more than one lot only (v. 17), but tells them that what had fallen to their share would be a sufficient lot for them both, if they would but work and fight. They desired a lot in which they might indulge themselves in ease and luxury. "No," says Joshua, "you must not count upon that; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread is a sentence in force even in Canaan itself." He retorts their own argument, that they were a great people. "If so, you are the better able to help yourselves, and have the less reason to expect help from others. If thou hast many mouths to be filled, thou hast twice as many hands to be employed; earn, and then eat." 1. He bids them work for more (v. 15): "Get thee up to the wood-country, which is within thy own border, and let all hands be set to work to cut down the trees, rid the rough lands, and make them, with art and industry, good arable ground." Note, Many wish for larger possessions who do not cultivate and make the best of what they have, think they should have more talents given them who do not trade with those with which they are entrusted. Most people's poverty is the effect of their idleness; would they dig, they need not beg.

Luke 19:1-27
(2011) (1) Zacchaeus, although a tax collector, wasn't too proud to show his desire to even get a look at Jesus:

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

Is this why Jesus stopped to call him? The only other extreme effort similarly expended was by the friends who lowered the cripple through the roof to see Jesus.
(2) Did Christ come the first time to claim the lost but His 2nd advent He will claim His Bride?:

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’”

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Psalm 87:1-7

Proverbs 13:11

Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.

Years Read
2011, 2012