Faith That Walks Inheritance

Abraham was counted righteous because he believed God before he possessed anything. Joshua marks out an inheritance before it is fully subdued. These are not contrary lessons. The promise comes first as gift; then the heirs must walk in the land, drive out what resists, and refuse fellowship with what God has judged. Faith is not boasting in one’s labor, yet neither is it idle. Abraham trusted the God who gives life to the dead and calls things not yet seen as certain. Israel received boundaries from the same faithful God, yet when they left enemies in the land, those enemies became a snare and witness against them.

Justin says, “just as formerly the people who survived of those that came out of Egypt, were guided into the land by him who had received the name Jesus (Joshua), who before was called Oshea.” The name points beyond Joshua to Jesus Christ, who brings His people into the true inheritance. But none should think this means negligence is safe. Tertullian gives the warning: “this nation have transgressed my covenant which I established with their fathers, and have not hearkened to my voice, I also will give no heed to remove from before them a man of the nations which Joshua left at his death.”

Therefore let no man boast, and let no man grow slack. If sins are forgiven, then let the forgiven cast out what remains at war with God: greed, bitterness, lying, lust, and hardness toward the poor. The inheritance is by promise; the walking is by obedience. We do not purchase mercy by works, but neither do we inherit by disobedience. The faith of Abraham leaves Ur, receives the promise, and sets its foot where God commands.