READ THE BIBLE IN 2022: This past week, March 13 through 19, we read Joshua 9 – Judges 5. A key word in Joshua is inheritance. It occurred 45 times from Joshua 11 through 24, often in connection with a tribe, clan or individual receiving their portion of the Promised Land. For much of Israel, their land was evidence that they had “a portion in the LORD” (Jos 22:27). The Levites were an exception, they did not receive land, but as Moses said, “The LORD God of Israel [was] their inheritance” (Jos 13:33). Israel’s inheritance looks back to the Heroes of Faith, including Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Sarah, Moses and David (Hebrews 11) and points forward to Christ. In 11:16 we are told they sought “a better country [than the Promised Land], that is, a heavenly one.” Moses, we are told, “considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” In 11:40 we learn they still wait for their reward. As people of faith we also wait for our reward at the Second Coming, for all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ (2Cor 1:20), who will also “confirm the promises given to the patriarchs” (Ro 15:8). This week (March 20 - 26) read Judges 6 through Ruth.