Joshua 21:45
Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.
Not one of all the LORD’s good promises
This phrase emphasizes the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises. Throughout the Old Testament, God made numerous covenants with the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising them land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21). The fulfillment of these promises is a testament to God's unchanging nature and reliability (Numbers 23:19). This assurance of God's faithfulness is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are reminded that God’s promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).

to the house of Israel
The "house of Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel, who became the twelve tribes. This collective term underscores the unity and identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people (Exodus 19:5-6). The promises to Israel included the inheritance of the Promised Land, a central theme in the book of Joshua. This land was not only a physical inheritance but also a spiritual symbol of God's covenant relationship with His people.

had failed;
The phrase "had failed" highlights the complete and total fulfillment of God's promises. In the context of Joshua, this refers to the successful conquest and settlement of Canaan, as God had assured (Joshua 1:3-6). Historically, this period marks a significant transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled nation. Theologically, it underscores the reliability of God's word, contrasting human failure with divine faithfulness (Psalm 89:34).

everything was fulfilled.
This final phrase confirms the comprehensive nature of God's promise-keeping. The fulfillment of God's promises to Israel serves as a type of the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who completes the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). It also foreshadows the eschatological hope of believers, where all of God's promises will be fully realized in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4). This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's future promises based on His past faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is faithful to His promises.

2. The House of Israel
The descendants of Jacob, the chosen people of God, who received the promises.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants.

4. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

5. The Levitical Cities
The context of Joshua 21 involves the allocation of cities to the Levites, demonstrating God's provision and faithfulness.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
Reflect on the unwavering faithfulness of God. Just as He fulfilled His promises to Israel, He remains faithful to His promises today.

Trust in God's Promises
Encourage believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is reliable and His word never fails.

The Importance of Obedience
Highlight the role of obedience in experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in the Israelites' journey.

God's Sovereignty
Acknowledge God's sovereignty in orchestrating events to fulfill His promises, reinforcing our trust in His divine plan.

Living in Gratitude
Cultivate a heart of gratitude for God's fulfilled promises, leading to a life of worship and service.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel in Joshua 21:45 encourage you in your personal faith journey?

2. In what ways can you see God's faithfulness in your life, similar to how He was faithful to the Israelites?

3. How can understanding God's faithfulness in the past help you trust Him with your future?

4. What are some promises of God that you are holding onto today, and how do they align with the promises fulfilled in Joshua 21:45?

5. How can you apply the lessons of God's faithfulness and promise-keeping in your relationships and daily decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3
God's initial promise to Abraham about making him a great nation and giving his descendants the land.

Deuteronomy 7:9
A reminder of God's faithfulness to keep His covenant and lovingkindness to a thousand generations.

1 Kings 8:56
Solomon's acknowledgment that not one word of God's good promise has failed.

2 Corinthians 1:20
The affirmation that all of God's promises are "Yes" in Christ, showing the continuity of God's faithfulness.

Hebrews 10:23
Encouragement to hold fast to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
God's FaithfulnessJ. Waite Joshua 21:45
The Record of God's FaithfulnessR. Glover Joshua 21:45
Divine FaithfulnessR. Hall, M. A.Joshua 21:1-45
Ministers Liberally TreatedC. Ness.Joshua 21:1-45
Ministers Wisely LocatedW. Seaton.Joshua 21:1-45
The Divine Fidelity AcknowledgedA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 21:1-45
The Supreme WorkerA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 21:1-45
The Triumphant Record of God's FaithfulnessA. Maclaren, D. D.Joshua 21:1-45
An Enumeration of PrivilegesS.R. Aldridge Joshua 21:43-45
God's FaithfulnessW.F. Adeney Joshua 21:43-45
The Lord is not a Man that He Should LieE. De Pressense Joshua 21:43-45
People
Aaron, Abdon, Anak, Anathoth, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Bezer, Caleb, Dan, Debir, Eleazar, Eshtemoa, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gersonites, Gibeon, Israelites, Issachar, Jephunneh, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Merari, Naphtali, Nun, Rehob, Reuben, Simeon, Simeonites, Zebulun
Places
Abdon, Aijalon, Ain, Almon, Anathoth, Bashan, Beeshterah, Beth-horon, Beth-shemesh, Bezer, Canaan, Daberath, Debir, Elteke, En-gannim, Eshtemoa, Galilee, Gath-rimmon, Geba, Gezer, Gibbethon, Gibeon, Gilead, Golan, Hammoth-dor, Hebron, Helkath, Heshbon, Holon, Jahaz, Jarmuth, Jattir, Jazer, Jokneam, Juttah, Kartah, Kartan, Kedemoth, Kedesh, Kibzaim, Kiriath-arba, Kishion, Libnah, Mahanaim, Mephaath, Mishal, Nahalal, Ramoth, Rehob, Shechem, Shiloh, Taanach
Topics
Aught, Failed, Faith, Fallen, Fulfilled, Kept, Nothing, Ought, Pass, Promises, Spake, Spoken
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 21:45

     1035   God, faithfulness
     5467   promises, divine
     5835   disappointment

Joshua 21:43-45

     4207   land, divine gift

Joshua 21:44-45

     8331   reliability

Library
October 8. "There Failed not Aught of any Good Thing which the Lord had Spoken" (Josh. xxi. 45).
"There failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken" (Josh. xxi. 45). Some day, even you, trembling, faltering one, shall stand upon those heights and look back upon all you have passed through, all you have narrowly escaped, all the perils through which He guided you, the stumblings through which He guarded you, and the sins from which He saved you; and you shall shout, with a meaning you cannot understand now, "Salvation unto Him who sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The End of the War
'And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. 44. And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that He sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45. There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. 'Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Nob. Bahurim.
That Nob was placed in the land of Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem, whence Jerusalem also might be seen,--the words of the Chaldee paraphrast, upon Isaiah 10:32, do argue. For so he speaks; "Sennacherib came and stood in Nob, a city of the priests, before the walls of Jerusalem; and said to his army, 'Is not this the city of Jerusalem, against which I have raised my whole army, and have subdued all the provinces of it? Is it not small and weak in comparison of all the fortifications of the Gentiles,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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