David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Joshua 12-14, Psalm 93.

Psalm 93

The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
² Your throne is established from of old;
    you are from everlasting.

³ The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
    the floods have lifted up their voice;
    the floods lift up their roaring.
⁴ Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
    mightier than the waves of the sea,
    the Lord on high is mighty!

⁵ Your decrees are very trustworthy;
    holiness befits your house,
    O Lord, forevermore.

Joshua 12–14 looks back in time and forward to the future at the same time. It recounts the kings defeated under Moses and Joshua, marking God’s faithfulness in giving victory, and then begins the distribution of the land among the tribes according to God’s promise. Joshua himself acknowledges that he is advancing in years and nearing the end of his life, even as much land remains to be possessed. This raises the sense of urgency and recognizes the ongoing nature of God’s work. In the midst of this, Caleb stands out as an example of enduring faith, confidently claiming the inheritance promised to him years earlier, trusting that the Lord will continue to give what he has pledged.

I noticed the word inheritance coming up 20 times in these chapters. An inheritance is something you receive from someone who has died. It may be a reward for one’s special care or as a recognition of the special place in the heart of the one giving it. But an inheritance by definition requires death. In these chapters no one has died.

Some might say this land distribution was a different kind of inheritance. But I wonder. I’m thinking of the deaths that were a part of Joshua’s conquest and the promised allotments of land in the Promised Land. I think of the Passover Lamb that was sacrificed, and the various animal sacrifices through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. And there’s the matter of the Israelites who died in their unsuccessful bid to take the city of Ai; not to mention the deaths of the peoples of the cities and kings Moses and Joshua conquered. There were plenty of deaths.

Then I think of Hebrews 9:15:

Therefore Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

That takes me to Good Friday. Jesus is sacrificed on the cross as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. All the Old Testament sacrifices pointed forward to This One Sacrifice: the death of the Son of God. He has died for the remission of our sins. Thanks be to God!

Today’s psalm points us toward an important truth regarding Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus has said that when he was lifted up he would draw all people to himself. He was lifted – you might even say exalted – on the cross. There are some very interesting connections between Jesus’ exaltation, his reign as the King of Grace when he hung on the cross.

So read that psalm again. And when you read about the king being clothed, remember that Jesus was stripped. And yet he reigned for he remained faithful. And let the One who was crucified for your sins and mine reign in your heart forever, live under him in his kingdom. Serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness – even as he is risen from the dead, and lives and reigns for all eternity – clothed now in majesty, splendor, and glory for all time. He lives and reigns for all eternity. This is most certainly true!