Joshua 15 THE BORDERS To know where we belong and not try to go beyond that, is a great safety feature for the people of God. There will always be beautiful vistas and scenery that is pleasing to the eye and will make us think, "I like this. I would like to live here." However, it won't be long until another scene as attractive or more so, that will catch our fancy. This whole world is a remarkable work of divine creation so that wherever we look every person is left without excuse regarding the existence of God. In a similar way that which attracts the spirit of a child of God opens vistas of truth and opportunity to us. So how do we know where we should be and what we are to do in our lives and service for God?
The children of Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh had land previously designated to them by Moses because of the actions of their forbearers. Then Moses gave an inheritance to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh on the east of Jordan because they were satisfied with less than they could have had as far as fertile land. They never did get rid of all the inhabitants of the land where they lived and more or less assimilated into a mixed culture. The Levites knew their places of dwelling would be scattered among all the tribes because of the nature of their calling and the unique work God gave them.
Some of God's people realize their obligations where they and generations before them lived. They know that for which they are responsible to maintain. The borders of their lives, and the work they are called to do is very clear to them. It may be by virtue of personality and talent, linked with God-given gifts that there is no question as to what their role in life is and where it should be exercised. Some people may say to them, "Why don't you leave here and go somewhere else where there is more excitement and you get more profit from what is going on?" But when a person knows their own borders, they are not enticed by the things offered in other places because they have a heritage that has been given to them to keep. Their heritage, both physical and spiritual is of great value to them because they understand it has been given to them by God. Their attitude is, "This is where God placed me. This is where God has blessed me and those before me. This is where I will stay by God's grace."
Others are called by God to reach out to "regions beyond" with the Gospel, and in order to do that, they have to move and claim new ground. When this is directed by God, the motivation will be to carry out the divine commission and see a new work established. New assemblies have been established by God when He moved the hearts of some to go a little farther out, in fellowship with those of their home assembly. When that happens, the spiritual borders that are put in place in the new work are still designated by God. We don't have the right to say, "Now we will do things our way." It is God who establishes borders.
When some who the Lord of the harvest directs to go to different cultures or lands move ahead in faith, the boundaries in which we preach and teach are still those God gives. There will be some differences in methods that are more acceptable in a different society, and the social life may be strange and different. But the borders of the message remain the same. They have been established by God. The standards He has set for morality, preaching, teaching and worship are universal. God has placed "eternity in their hearts" for all people, and within that context we must stay.
Everywhere God's people will go, there will be constant attempts by the world, the flesh and the devil to compromise our borders. Spreading division and discontent with what God has given us has always been a hindrance to the children of God. In every society the godly life and walk of one who stays within the God- designated borders of their life, will make other people uncomfortable. It is in the heart of man to be independent of God and claim for ourselves what we should never have. But when one is in the family of God, we want to please our gracious Father. Instead of resenting grace that reminds me of my limitations, we embrace God's grace and appreciate it more as life goes on.
We need to be content to stay within the borders God has designated and make sure that where we are, we remain in fellowship with Him. If we are not careful, we may allow those things of the old life a place within our borders and the "Jebusites" can be a continual problem to us and the work of God to which we are responsible. To claim the promises of God, we need to set our "foot" on every piece of holy ground placed within our borders.
It will be a cause for great joy when our sons and daughters come of their own volition and desire from us part of that which God has given us. To be able to pass on even a small portion of the high ground God gave us for the benefit of future generations is a reason for us to remain faithful and stay within the borders God established. Caleb must have been delighted when his daughter and her hero-husband wanted some of what he had. It may not seem important sometimes, until we realize anew that our borders have been defined by God. He knew what was best for us and made it possible for us to personally claim every part of what He intends us to have.