JOSHUA SERIES #14: GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN (Joshua 15:13-19)

Expository, History, Joshua, Joshua Series - Moving Forward, Old Testament, Series

JOSHUA 15:13-19 – GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN

#14 – MOVING FORWARD – THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

  • What is an incentive or an incentive plan?
  • There are several types of incentives or incentive plans. Name some you’ve encountered.
  • Why should Christians not need incentives to serve God? John 14:15, 21-24, Romans 11:33-12:1

Although we do not need rewards beyond eternal life with Jesus, God has an incentive plan called “rewards”. These rewards are handed out at what is known as the “Judgment Seat of Christ”.  Here  we see this incentive plan illustrated through the actions of Caleb.

BACKGROUND – Joshua 15:1-13

  • Joshua and the children of Israel had crossed the River Jordan and had conquered the land to divide the land by lot among the tribes and let the tribes finish the job.
  • Judah was given their territory, but first the promise to Caleb was kept. Joshua 15:13.
  • Caleb did not have an easy place to conquer, but he did, and used an incentive plan.

GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN INVOLVES OTHERS – Joshua 15:13-15

  • 13-14 – Notice that Caleb went in and possessed the town he wanted – Hebron. He proved the claim that he made before Joshua in Joshua 14:11.
  • 15 – Caleb comes to Debir, whose original name meant “City of the Book.” Here he decides that he is going to give the joy of conquering this city to someone else.
  • 16 – Caleb was capable. He was sharing the wealth. Besides, because it was his duty to look for a suitable husband for his daughter, he uses this as a way of finding a good man.
  • God does not need our help, but God has chosen to involve us in His work. Matthew 28:19-20,              1 Corinthians 1:21, Matthew 5:16, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Peter 4:10-11

GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN INCLUDES REWARDS – Joshua 15:16-17

  • 16-17 – In the case of Caleb, he offered his daughter as the reward for a job well done.
  • Othniel, first of the judges of Israel, was the one who took the city and received the reward.
  • God also offers rewards for jobs which are well done at “The Judgement Seat of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 4:5
  • The word used for rewards in scripture is “crown” or “crowns”. Crowns are symbolic of royalty.
  • There are at least five different crowns mentioned in Scripture:
  1. The Crown of Life – James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
  2. The Incorruptible Crown – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
  3. The Soul Winner’s Crown – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
  4. The Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
  5. The Crown of Glory – 1 Peter 5:1-4
  • What will we do with those crowns? Revelation 4:4, 10-11

GOD’S INCENTIVE PLAN INSPIRES PRAYER – Vss. 18-19

  • 18-19 – Othniel is encouraged by his wife to ask Caleb for a field. And then, she is secure enough to ask of a loving father springs which would water that field. He gave her more than she asked for – upper and lower springs.
  • Our Heavenly Father is like that. He includes us in His work, and rewards at the end.
  • And then, He empowers us to get the job done by answering our prayers. Matthew 7:7-11