Bible Studies for Life
Extending Grace
Luke 19: And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
Zacchaeus was of short stature. From this story, we also learn that he was corrupt in his practices as the chief publican. As the chief among publicans, Zacchaeus would have reaped a substantial profit. Zacchaeus had become quite rich. Publicans were Jews who had joined in with the archenemy, Rome. They cheated the people with their unscrupulous approach to collecting taxes. They manipulated the system by overcharging taxes and pocketing the profits. As a result, publicans were forbidden from participating in the synagogue and were considered unclean. Zacchaeus and others wanted to see Jesus, hear Jesus, and observe Jesus as He performed miracles and taught with authority, not like the scribes (Matt. 7:29). Zacchaeus ran and climbed a tree to see Jesus.
Luke 19: 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
Zacchaeus was looking for Jesus, but Jesus was also looking for Zacchaeus. Jesus was looking to change the direction of Zacchaeus’s life. For Zacchaeus, this was an unplanned encounter, but for Jesus, it was a divine appointment. Jesus commanded Zacchaeus to come down from the tree in haste. Zacchaeus being up a tree was part of God’s orchestrated plan for his salvation. For Zacchaeus, this meeting with Jesus would produce lasting results. Zacchaeus joyfully and eagerly brought Jesus to his house for the meal. Now a respected teacher desired fellowship with him. Suddenly, Zacchaeus’s heart changed, and he placed his trust in Jesus as Savior.
Luke 19: 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus shared a meal and then may have spent the night at Zacchaeus’s house. The crowd griped and murmured with a familiar theme: Jesus was dining with a sinful man (Luke 5:27-32; 7:36-50). At some point in the time spent with Jesus, God changed Zacchaeus’s heart. We see proof of Zacchaeus’s transformation. He promised to give half of his goods to the poor. It was considered extremely generous to give one-fifth of one’s goods to the poor. Jesus was calling him Son of Abraham because of the relationship established with God through faith alone. Seeking and saving that which is lost was Jesus’s purpose for coming to earth.
What is your status with God, How is your relationship, Have you accepted his invitation?
Explore the Bible
Unwavering Determination
Joshua14: And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. 2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: herefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. 5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
The Lord previously had given Moses instructions on how the promised land would be allotted among the Israelite tribes (Num. 34). Following Moses’s directives, Joshua, Eleazer the priest, and the selected leaders from each tribe divided the promised land. By God’s command, each tribe’s inheritance was determined by casting lots. This was not a random event because Isreal knew God was in control of how the lots fell for each tribe. Isreal had thirteen tribes, but Levi received no allotment. Instead, this tribe got forty-eight cities scattered across Isreal. This would allow them to teach the law in every tribe (discipling).
Joshua 14: 6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
Caleb approached Joshua and reminded him what Moses promised him in Numbers 14:24. Forty-five years earlier, the Lord promised a particular part of Judah for Caleb and his descendants. Because he trusted God and gave a faithful report, the Lord blessed him. God promised that he would enter the promised land, unlike most of his contemporaries. For decades earlier, Caleb had followed God completely. He was committed to following God completely in this situation.
Joshua 14: 10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
Caleb received God’s promise when he was 40 years old. Unfortunately, the rebellion of others forced him to wait another forty-five years. Now, at 85, he was ready to take possession of his inheritance with God’s help. The land God gave Caleb was hill country and the home of a giant race known as the Anakim. Caleb felt as strong as when he was a young man. He was confident he could defeat any enemy with God’s help. Joshua blessed Caleb and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. Based on the writer’s words, Caleb conquered the land. It remained in his family’s possession at the time the book of Joshua was written.
Caleb followed the Lord completely and received what God had promised him decades earlier.
-We will face daily opportunities to obey or disobey God’s instructions.
- We can be assured that God knows and rewards those who follow Him wholeheartedly.
-We can be assured of God’s presence and aid when we follow Him wholeheartedly.
Eternal Security is Forever! But you must Get It to Have It! Contact us and we will help YOU get on that journey.
Lifeway Christian Resources Isaiah 55:11