Thoughts on the readings for May 28th (Joshua 14, Isaiah 19,Titus 1, 2, 3)

Joshua 14:1-5 speak of the allocation of the tribal inheritances west of the river Jordan. Verses 6-15 deal with the request and allotting to Caleb, the great man of faith who wholly believed and wholeheartedly trusted Yahweh his God together with Joshua. Caleb was not a natural born Israelite. He was a Kennite and from a tribal group who faithfully chose to journey to the Promised Land with the people of the LORD that they too might share Yahweh’s blessings for His people. Caleb at 85 years old is as vigorous and eager as he was at 40 years of age. Then, as at this time, Caleb trusted in the help of the Almighty to go and take Hebron, meaning fellowship. This city was the place where the patriarchal family settled in the land and sojourned in faith with their God. That city had belonged to the greatest giant of the Anakim – Arba. Caleb stands in contrast to his fearful brethren who cowered at the thought of fighting against the giants of Canaan.

Isaiah chapters 19-20 contain prophecies concerning Egypt. Isaiah 19:1-4 tell of the time that nears when the Almighty’s hand of judgment will be felt by the Egyptians. The LORD says that He will put them under a fierce overlord. I believe that this will be the time spoken of in
Daniel 11:40-43. This said Daniel would be at the time of the end when the Northern confederacy of nations will invade the Middle East. Verses 5-10 describe the predicament of the Egyptian industries particularly for the fishermen of the Nile whose harvest has been destroyed by the construction of the Aswan dam in lower Egypt. Verses 11-15 lament the bringing low of the once great superpower of the Middle East. Verses 16-25 outline a time of blessing for Egypt together with two of the former superpowers of that region – Assyria and Egypt. And although these 3 nations will be blessed in Messiah’s kingdom Israel’s status as the covenant people of the Lord God Almighty make her the head of the nations as the prophet Zechariah tells us in chapter 8:20-23. Isaiah 19:23 tells us that there will be in Israel a place of worship to the Living God whose Son rules from Jerusalem.

The epistle of Titus was written between Paul’s first imprisonment spoken of in 1 Timothy and his final imprisonment and execution anticipated in 2 Timothy 4. The three chapters contain wonderful information about individual lives in the service of Christ.The letter appears to be written after Paul’s release from the first Roman imprisonment, when he was under house arrest for two years as Acts 28 records. After this conditions for believers in Christ became far worse, as Nero blamed them for the great fire in Rome. 2 Timothy outlines some of the consequences of this with Paul being arrested at Ephesus and accused of being the ring leader of the ‘christians’ and therefore the prime instigator of the fire. Paul had following his house arrest in Rome and prior to the great fire been released and undertaken a fifth missionary journey. Paul journeyed with Titus to Crete to establish the ecclesias. This journey left the task of organising those ecclesias so the Apostle Paul left Titus at Crete for this. The book of Titus starts with the qualifications that should apply to an elder of the believers. These elders were to be faithful and experienced brothers. Verse 9 tells us that some of the elders were also overseers. Verses 10-11 of chapter 1 tells of the insubordination of many of the Cretians. The gluttony, idleness and falseness of these islanders was legendary in the Roman world. Paul ironically speaks of the Cretian paradox that their poet, Epimenides, spoke claiming all Cretians liars, and yet in this he himself a Cretian was telling the truth. Paul tells Titus to firmly rebuke the Cretians as their behaviour was unacceptable in any follower of Christ. The first chapter concludes by telling us that the pure in mind must not have their words and actions tainted by double standards – likewise those who are double minded corrupt others said the Apostle. Chapter 2 commences with instructions to young men, such as Titus (v1); older men (v2); older sisters (Vv3-5) – including that they were teaching the younger women in both word and, even more importantly, by example (cp 1 Corinthians 11 verses 1). In verses 6-8 he tells the young men that they are to be shining examples of followers of Christ. Slaves, who comprised two thirds of the Roman world, are told in verses 10-11 that by honesty and diligence they prove that they are believers and, by such behaviour, they enhanced the reputation of true disciples. There is an emphasis in the letter on the letter on “soundness” (literally, not only being healthy, but more so that which promotes and imparts health). How meaningful is this given that the name Titus signifies “nurse”. The book reminds us of little things, many of which are important. Don’t forget the little things, which demonstrate tender care for fellow saints. We could do no better than to fix our minds and meditate on our sober responsibility to live expectantly of our Master’s return as Titus 2 verses 11-14 urges us. Read aloud, pause and Titus was a convert of Paul. Paul calls him “my true child in our common fath”, as he likewise calls Timothy. Some suggest, with good reason that Titus may have been the brother of Luke the beloved physician. Titus’ full name was perhaps Titus Justus. Paul leaves Titus in Crete to establish and solidify the Cretian ecclesias; of which one historian says that there may have been a hundred, or more. The three chapters contain outstanding information about individual lives in the service of Christ.The letter appears to have be written after Paul’s release from 2 years house arrest at the end of Acts 28. After this conditions for Christians become far worse, as Nero blamed them for the great fire in Rome. 2 Timothy outlines some of the consequences of this with Paul being arrested at Ephesus and accused of being the ring leader of the christians and therefore the prime instigator of the fire. The Apostle seems to have undertaken a fifth missionary journey. In the course of this journey he and Titus have visited Crete to establish ecclesias, perhaps more than a hundred. This journey left the task of organising those ecclesias and the Apostle Paul leaves Titus on the island to do this. So the book starts with the qualifications required to be an elder of the believers. These elders were to be faithful and experienced brothers. Verse 9 tells us that some of the elders were also overseers – elders refers to the body of men appointed to direct the ecclesia; whereas overseer speaks of a specific function that some of these elders had. Verses 10-11 of chapter 1 tell of the insubordination of many of the Cretians. Their gluttony, idleness and falseness are legendary in the Roman world. Paul ironically speaks of the Cretian paradox spoken by their poet Epiminedes, who claims all Cretians are liars, and yet in this he was a Cretian telling the truth. Paul asks Titus to firmly rebuke those who practise these behaviours. Such are unacceptable among any follower of Christ. The first chapter concludes by telling us that the pure in mind don’t have their words and actions tainted by double standards – likewise those who are double minded corrupt all. Chapter 2 commences with instructions to the young men, such as Titus (v1); older men (v2); older sisters (Vv3-5) – this includes what they are teaching to the younger women both by word and, even more importantly, by example (cp 1 Corinthians 11:1). In verses 6-8 he tells the young men that they are to be shining examples of followers of Christ. Slaves, who comprised two thirds of the Roman world, are told (V11-12) that by honesty and diligence they prove that they are believers and, by such behaviour, they enhance the reputation of true Christians. There is an emphasis in the letter on “soundness” (literally, not only being healthy, but more so that which promotes and imparts health). How meaningful is this given that the name Titus signifies “nurse”. The book reminds us of little things, many of which are important. Don’t forget the little things, which demonstrate tender care for fellow saints. We could do no better than to fix our minds and meditate on our sober responsibility to live expectantly of our Master’s return as the book of Titus 2 verses 11-14 urges us. Read aloud, pause and ponder. Chapter 3 tells of the incredible power of the Word of God to purify our lives; and to ultimately save us when our Lord Jesus Christ comes to bring the kingdom of our Sovereign to the earth. All believers are reminded of the need for submission to God appointed order and authority. We show love and tolerance to all in recognising that this is what our God has done for us. The fifth of the faithful sayings occurs in chapter 3 verse 8, “Those who have believed God must be careful to be forward (Greek word indicates a proud store holder, who proudly stands in front of his/her quality produce) in good works”. Pause and ponder.