Hundreds of years earlier—while Abraham was living in Canaan—God promised to give that land to his offspring (Gen. 15:7-21). Over time, Abraham’s offspring—the nation of Israel—became slaves in Egypt but God delivered them from Egypt and eventually established them in Canaan through Joshua (Ex. 6:1-8; Josh. 21:43-45). A good God is always good to His word(Ps. 33:11; Is. 46:10)! After all 12 tribes were allotted their land, 2 ½ tribes (Reuben, Gad, Manasseh) stayed east of the Jordan River, outside Canaan. As the Jordan was a natural barrier, the eastern tribes built an altar to match the sacrificial altar in Canaan as a sign of unity. Nothing is greater to long-term health than unity (Ps. 133:1; John 17:23; Eph. 4:3)!

After Israel had split the land of Canaan in two by defeating cities in central Canaan, over the next few years they systematically went south and then north conquering most major kingdoms. While there were local or regional clans left for individual Israelite tribes to fight, Israel had finished warring as a nation (Josh. 11:23). Now, as they were getting ready to settle the land, Joshua divided the land into the tribal allotments promised by Moses (Num. 26:55; Josh. 14:5). As Caleb was one of two spies (the other was Joshua) who encouraged Israel to enter Canaan 45 years earlier, he was given the special area of Hebron (Gen. 49:29-33; Num. 13:30). Faith with action has a reward (2 Chron. 16:9; Heb. 11:1; James 2:26)!

After Israel had split the land of Canaan in two by defeating cities in central Canaan, over the next few years they systematically went south and then north conquering most major kingdoms. While there were local or regional clans left for individual Israelite tribes to fight, Israel had finished warring as a nation (Josh. 11:23). Now, as they were getting ready to settle the land, Joshua divided the land into the tribal allotments promised by Moses (Num. 26:55; Josh. 14:5). As Caleb was one of two spies (the other was Joshua) who encouraged Israel to enter Canaan 45 years earlier, he was given the special area of Hebron (Gen. 49:29-33; Num. 13:30). Faith with action has a reward (2 Chron. 16:9; Heb. 11:1; James 2:26)!

In fear, the people of Gibeon deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them after the Israelites had defeated Jericho and Ai (Josh. 9:3-6). Hearing that Gibeon, which was a major city of Canaan with mighty fighting men in it, had made peace with Israel, the surrounding Canaanite kings unified to destroy it. A change in allegiance can bring about a change in affiliation. Friends and family can become foes when faith to follow God is found(Matt. 10:32-39).

In fear, the people of Gibeon deceived Joshua into making a peace treaty with them after the Israelites had defeated Jericho and Ai (Josh. 9:3-6). Hearing that Gibeon, which was a major city of Canaan with mighty fighting men in it, had made peace with Israel, the surrounding Canaanite kings unified to destroy it. A change in allegiance can bring about a change in affiliation. Friends and family can become foes when faith to follow God is found(Matt. 10:32-39).

After the defeat of Jericho and Ai, various kings and tribal leaders from central Canaan that were enemies, banded together to fight Israel. Sometimes the good work of God will meet a united front of evil(Prov. 29:27; John 15:18). The people of Gibeon—who were next on the warpath after Ai—heard that Israel was to destroy all the Canaanites but make peace treaties with neighboring nations (Deut. 20:10-18). So, they devised a plan and sent delegates to Joshua at Gilgal with dry bread, empty wineskins, and worn out clothes and sandals saying they were from a foreign land asking for a covenant of peace. While they looked like they were from hundreds of miles away, they were only 20! Survival is often the fuel of creativity.

After the defeat of Jericho and Ai, various kings and tribal leaders from central Canaan that were enemies, banded together to fight Israel. Sometimes the good work of God will meet a united front of evil(Prov. 29:27; John 15:18). The people of Gibeon—who were next on the warpath after Ai—heard that Israel was to destroy all the Canaanites but make peace treaties with neighboring nations (Deut. 20:10-18). So, they devised a plan and sent delegates to Joshua at Gilgal with dry bread, empty wineskins, and worn out clothes and sandals saying they were from a foreign land asking for a covenant of peace. While they looked like they were from hundreds of miles away, they were only 20! Survival is often the fuel of creativity.

In Romans 1:18 – 3:20, Paul taught us that no one will ever be able to make himself righteous before God (Rom. 3:20). Further, Paul said that since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23 – 24). God’s “grace” means his “unmerited favor.” Paul explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8 – 9). The Bible emphasizes that God’s grace is even shown to those who especially don’t deserve it (Rom. 5: 6-11). Grace, then, is God’s favor freely given to those who do not deserve this favor. Living the Christian life results from God’s continuous grace. (1 Cor. 15:10).

In Romans 1:18 – 3:20, Paul taught us that no one will ever be able to make himself righteous before God (Rom. 3:20). Further, Paul said that since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23 – 24). God’s “grace” means his “unmerited favor.” Paul explains, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8 – 9). The Bible emphasizes that God’s grace is even shown to those who especially don’t deserve it (Rom. 5: 6-11). Grace, then, is God’s favor freely given to those who do not deserve this favor. Living the Christian life results from God’s continuous grace. (1 Cor. 15:10).

In a last attempt to get God to curse Israel, Balak takes Balaam to a high area where he can see the entire nation below. He then builds seven altars hoping God will let Balaam curse Israel. Instead, for the third time, Balaam reveals God will bless and protect Israel, including cursing those who curse them! At this, Balak struck his hands together and told him he wasn’t going to honor or pay him. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing (Ps. 15:1-4, 84:11). Finally, Balaam speaks for the fourth and last time about Israel’s eventual domination over surrounding Canaanite nations, including Moab. Most of this would happen later during the life of the warrior-king David, the ‘star’ and ‘scepter’ out of Israel (2 Sam. 8:1-5).