Live the Word Bible Studies

Purpose Study Bible 257: The End

This is the final verse in the book of Joshua and it wasn't even about Joshua himself:

And Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim (Joshua 24:33).

And that's it. No conclusion, no summary, no final words. We are simply told that first Joshua died, then Joseph's remains were buried in his tribe's land, and then Eleazar died.

When you think of it, your life isn't very long when compared to the rest of creation. The rocks that were here in Abraham's time are still here. The water of the oceans has been recycled again and again from their inception. And then for contrast there are people, and James described our tenure on earth as follows: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

While it is good to plan and have goals, it's also good to keep them in perspective. One day, they will come to an end as will you. So what's it all about? It's about making a difference while you're here and then passing on to your existence in the next life.

Do you live like your days are numbered (because they are)? Are you making the most of your days? You must have a purpose for you're still here but one day, like Eleazar and Joshua and Joseph, you won't be. Are you maximizing your time and impact? The good news is that while the book of Joshua ends rather unceremoniously, the narrative continues and the people move on as we learn in the first verses of the next book:

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands" (Judges 1:1-2).

Determine to make a difference in the days you have left, but also be ready to face your own mortality, having left a purposeful mark in the days God has given you.

Purpose Study Bible 256: Helping Others

As the people were about to enter their land under Joshua's leadership, the Lord directed them not to focus just on themselves and their well-being:

"You are to help them [the other tribes] until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them" (Joshua 1:14-15).

The tribes were to help and support one another until everyone came into the inheritance God had for them. The same is true today. From my experience, when someone finds their purpose, they often want to share their journey with others. If they are creative and enjoy what they do, then doors will open for them to share, teach, and encourage others.

When I was a pastor, I started a monthly creativity encouragement group and it met for nine years! When I embraced my creativity instead of running from it, I not only created but I taught and about creativity to help others express theirs. I have done the same with my purpose insight through books, coaching, and seminars.

What can you do to help others be more purposeful and creativity? How can others hear about your faith stories so they can be inspired? Are you managing your time so that you have opportunities to help others find creative purpose? The tribes were to help everyone find their place after they each had found theirs. That was good advice then and it's still good advice now.

Purpose Study Bible 255: One Day

When Joseph died in Egypt, he requested that his bones be taken back to his homeland when his people returned. This was a statement of faith that God would be faithful to restore His people to their Promised Land.

Two hundred years later, Joseph's descendants complied with his request. Finally, Joseph was home on the land his father had purchased and from where Joseph had been sold by his brothers into slavery. This meant that they had to remember his dying request, take his bones with them as they left, transport those bones through the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and then deposit his remains in his family's land:

The body of Joseph, which the people of Israel had brought from Egypt, was buried at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver. This land was inherited by Joseph's descendants (Joshua 24:32).

His family had to make this legacy a priority. By doing so, some family members were inconvenienced by having to administer Joseph's wish through all kinds of weather, desert travel conditions, wars, and family funerals. What faith projects are you working on that could affect your family's future in a good way? What faith declarations are you making about your purpose and its role for posterity?

You could do this by starting a business or ministry that can carry on into the next generation. You could write a book or craft a last will and testament that includes your testimony. Give some prayerful thought to something you can do that can outlive you and perhaps God will energize it like he did when Joseph simply requested that they take his bones home ... one day.

Purpose Study Bible 254: Present Yourself

Once again, we see that Joshua called the people together for what we now know were his last words to them:

Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God (Joshua 24:1)

There's something unique about presenting yourself to the Lord as they did in this verse. I realize we live in His presence, but I get the picture of a military assembly or even a church meeting where God's people are gathered for an inspection and further instructions.

In Joshua's meeting, they went over their history as God's people, then reviewed the terms of the covenant. He gave them a chance to recommit to obey the covenant, and then erected a memorial to commemorate their recommitment. This was the second such assembly that Joshua had called, which tells me he was concerned that the people would drift away from their love of God. It is reminiscent of what Jesus said to the Ephesian church:

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:4-5).

Perhaps it's time to present yourself to the Lord to review why you are doing what you do? Are you expressing your purpose and creativity to earn a living or to serve and further God's kingdom? Are you ready to "re up" and re-enlist for another term of service in God's army? As God inspects your work and heart, is He addressing any deficiency or complacency?

You're not just serving your family, company, or church. You're serving God and He's watching. Who better to show you how you're doing and receive an adjustment or commendation? Take time to present yourself to the Lord and then listen for what He says.

Purpose Study Bible 253: Create The Need

Joshua was coming to his end when he took the time to remind the people of an important truth:

“Now my time has come to die. Every one of you knows in his heart and soul that the Lord your God has given you all the good things that he promised. Every promise he made has been kept; not one has failed" (Joshua 23:14, GNT).

God is still in the promise-making and promise-keeping business, and here's one he made through the Apostle Paul:

And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19, GNT).

So if God keeps His promises and if He promised to supply all your needs, then it seems obvious what you are to do: create more need! You're not to try and manipulate God by buying a big house or car and then demanding God "meet your need." But you are to create needs around your purpose and creativity that will help fulfill another promise God made:

"I am telling you the truth: those who believe in me will do what I do—yes, they will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son" (John 14:12-13, GNT).

If you need a equipment to do God's will, ask for it. If you need wisdom, ask for it. If you need some other provision, ask for it. And don't be afraid to create the need for those things by determining to do the greater things Jesus promised you would do. Set big goals and expect God to help you reach them.

What are your greater things that you do or want to do? Where and how do you need to take seriously the promise that you will bear fruit and God will supply what you need to do so? In Joshua's last days, he reaffirmed God's faithfulness and you need to be able to do the same. In order to do that, you should take God at His word today and act accordingly.

Purpose Study Bible 252: The Company You Keep

Joshua assembled all Israel after they had settled in the Land and among other things said this to them:

"Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now" (Joshua 23:7-8).

If you're going to serve the Lord and be a creative person of purpose, your focus has to be singular. You can't share your energy, wealth, gifts, or time where they won't produce a harvest for the Lord. That also includes the company you keep.

Purpose people need to be around other people of purpose. It's the same for creative people. If you give your time to those who don't share your values, commitment, and goals, then you'll become discouraged and lose your creative edge. If you can find a group that will support you and who God made you to be, then become a part of it. If you can't find a group, then start one. The point is that if you hang around unproductive people, you'll be unproductive.

Are you holding fast to the Lord and His will for your life? Or have you allowed your interests to be influenced by those who don't share your zeal or desire to bear fruit? What changes do you need to make in your life to develop a support system and team for your purpose journey? Joshua urged the people to be fully devoted to God and His people as they walked out their obedience. That's still good advice for you today.

Purpose Study Bible 251: Misunderstood Creativity

As the tribes took possession of their land grants from the Lord through Joshua, we read what a few of the tribes did that were in the farthest regions of the Land:

When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan (Joshua 22:10).

When the other tribes heard about this altar, they assumed it was for sacrifice, which would have contradicted the word of the Lord as to where such offerings were to be given. So the ten tribes assembled for war and sent a delegation to the builders seeking an explanation. When they heard that the altar wasn't for worship but rather was a symbol or memorial to remind them of the far-away real altar, they were glad and no longer considered punitive measures against their brethren. The story concludes with this verse:

And the Reubenites and the Gadites gave the altar this name: A Witness Between Us—that the Lord is God (Joshua 22:34).

The three tribes came up with a creative reminder of their connection to the other tribes, but that creativity was initially misunderstood. In the same way, not everyone is going to "get" your creativity. Don't be offended, for part of your creativity is to teach using what you create, telling your story of why you did what you did and what it means to you.

When your creativity isn't understood, what do you do? Whatever it is, don't be offended, but use the opportunity to share spiritual and life lessons out of that unique expression of your own existence. No one else sees what you do which is why you have to spend some time explaining what you do to those who make inquiry.

Purpose Study Bible 250: He Gives, You Work

Here is a good summary of what we have read so far in the book of Joshua:

So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled (Joshua 21:43-45, emphasis added).

Notice that everything God did for the people was a gift. He gave them land, rest, peace, and His word. He fulfilled every promise He made. In order for that to happen, however, the people had to do their part and take possession of the land by fighting, settling, building, and tending. The same is true for you.

God gives you purpose and creative talents. Those are gifts you didn't ask for and can't earn. Once you discover what they are, it's your duty to be fruitful in their use and expression: "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you" (John 15:16). There's another promise from Jesus: God will answer your prayers in the context of bearing fruit.

What is your fruit? What do you do that makes you most productive for the Lord? What promises are you standing on and working toward seeing fulfilled? What more can you do to structure your life to be a good steward of the promises and good things God has given you? Is your prayer life bearing fruit as well?

God has given you a lot but it comes with a warning, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48). Be mindful today that God is in the giving business but then you must be in the habit of working and developing what He gives you.

Purpose Study Bible 249: Enough to Share

I had labeled the land grant to Joshua as the last distribution of the Land, but I was incorrect. There was still one group that had yet to be taken care of, and it was the Levites who were not to receive a land inheritance because their lot was to serve the Lord. We read,

Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribal families of Israel at Shiloh in Canaan and said to them, “The Lord commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock.” So, as the Lord had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance (Joshua 21:1-3).

The Levites and their families had to live somewhere so each tribe was to provide a place for them in their region. This would ensure that each tribe had some Levites who would teach the word of God and perform other worship functions. In other words, the tribes had to share their inheritance and not hold on to the land like an entitlement.

And now, God wants you to work and share. There are some who don't want any more than they have and there are others who don't want to work for more. The latter group sometimes gambles, even gives offerings, in hopes that they will "strike it rich," strategizing in their minds what they do with the windfall. But God's plan is revealed in Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:8:

And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity (AMP).

God wants you to have enough so you can share. Are you working your purpose and expressing your creativity with a view toward sharing some of the proceeds from them with others? How are you devoting your creative purpose toward meeting the needs of others and those who faithfully serve the Lord? What more can you do?

God may not want you to be wealthy but He wants you to live the abundant life, which isn't only comprised of what you can get but also what you can give. Determine to use some of your "land inheritance" by way of your gifts not only to serve your own needs but also the needs of others.

Purpose Study Bible 248: Potential

We looked at Joshua's portion of the land inheritance in the last study, but let's look at it again to make sure we didn't miss one important aspect:

When the people of Israel finished dividing up the land, they gave Joshua son of Nun a part of the land as his own. As the Lord had commanded, they gave him the city he asked for: Timnath Serah, in the hill country of Ephraim. He rebuilt the city and settled there (Joshua 19:49-50, GNT, emphasis added).

Notice that God gave Joshua the land, which seems to have been the site of a city that had been destroyed or was at least rundown and useless. That's why Joshua had to rebuild it. The point is that God didn't hand Joshua a ready-made city. Even after all his waiting and serving, he was given something that had potential and Joshua had to build it up before he and his family could live there.

In 2014, I started a publishing service. Even though I had already written books, it was now time to help others write and publish theirs. We started from scratch. We had to build it from the ground up and now we have published more than 200 books, including 90 of my own. God gave us the publishing land, so to speak, and we have had to clear it so we could "dwell" there. If God blesses it, future generations can also make their living there.

What about you? What has God given you with potential, but now you have to develop it? What do you have that may not look like much to someone else right now but represents a bright future for you? What are you overlooking because it doesn't look like much at the moment?

Your purpose and creativity have to be developed into what they can be. The good news is you don't know what your potential will look like until you start to develop it, and then it seems that the sky's the limit. I urge you to make the most of your opportunity by doing a little something every day to restore and develop the land God has given you. Remember, "Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense" (Proverbs 12:11).