Observation: God reviews with Joshua the areas of the promised land that have not yet been claimed. This was not unexpected, as God had even told Moses that they would win the land over time, as they grew in number. God outlines large territories based on mostly natural landmarks that are still to be settled. However, the land of the Philistines - and specifically these five cities - is specially significant.
This area will remain a thorn in the side of God and his chosen people ... well, for millennia now. Sampson himself went to battle against Ashkelon. All of Israel's and Judah's kings will struggle with the Philistines based in these cities. I know a pastor attempting even now to plant the first ever Christian church in Ashdod, and facing great resistance. In modern world affairs, the "Gaza strip" is a land of conflict and a final holdout of 'Palestine' fighting against Israel.
There is a reason the Lord named these five cities as a specific problem ~3,500 years ago, and it has nothing to do with whether or not he himself could have removed this conflict from his people. It is more likely he has allowed this issue to persist as further evidence of his awareness, control, and authority over the years, including his ability to humble his people while also giving them hope and opportunity to serve him.
Application: I personally see this region - Israel today and the tension with Palestine, Jordan, and others - as proof of supernatural, evil resistance to Yahweh. I am not calling any people-group evil, I am stating that there is obvious evidence that there is supernatural resistance to God's people, centered in this tiny land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean. That can't happen for nearly the entirety of recorded human history without some spiritual reason, and spiritual reasons cannot exist without a spiritual realm.
The Lord is in full control, of that I am certain. I see the struggles today in Gaza, Ashkelon, and Ashdod, and it only re-enforces for me the fact that the Lord is managing the situation, just like he was when he reviewed the plans for the promised land with Joshua.
Prayer: Lord, today I pray for Israel and the entire middle east. Everything that happens there is part of your plan, though clearly it would be impossible for us to understand, except to know that the battles we see are just the earthly manifestation of the spiritual war waged against your great love by evil forces. May we someday see your peace and love reign in land. Amen.
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