This is Spoken Gospel.

We’re dedicated to seeing
Jesus in all of scripture.

In each episode, we see what’s
happening in a Biblical text

and how it sheds light
on Jesus and his gospel.

Let’s jump in.

This section opens with one of the most
important moments in all of Joshua:

the tabernacle is set up
and the land is subdued.

The land of Canaan was supposed to be Israel’s new
garden of Eden—with her enemies defeated. The only
thing left was  for God’s presence to come.

That’s why the tabernacle, the place where God’s
presence was supposed to live, is so important.

It marks the beginning of a new Eden.

The connection to Eden is emphasized by the
seven tribes that have yet to receive their inheritance.

Just as God created Eden in
seven days and then rested,

so the seven tribes of Israel are
given rest from war in their new Eden.

We’re also told the land lay subdued before them like Adam
and Eve were commanded to subdue the earth and fill it.

As Israel subdues the land of Canaan,
that command is being fulfilled!

God’s mission to create a new garden of
Eden where he can fellowship with his people

has come true, at least
in part, through Israel.

[music]

Many years after Joshua, the prophet Ezekiel saw a vision of
a time when God would allocate the land to Israel’s tribes again.

It would be a final land allotment
that would bring about the final Eden.

And the name of the city
would be “The Lord Is There”.

That city and the final garden
of Eden comes in Jesus.

The Apostle John uses the same words that open
Genesis 1 to begin his Gospel: “In the beginning...”.

And just as Joshua and Ezekiel hoped
that God would be with his people,

whether in a new city or a new tabernacle,
Jesus was God as he walked among us.

His name even means “God with us”.

Like Joshua, Jesus came to a land conquered by sin
and subdued its evil and enemies.

He healed the sick.

He liberated the oppressed.

And he conquered sin as he rose from the dead.

Because of Jesus, there is nothing left
but rest for citizens of his Kingdom.

And when Jesus returns, he will
create the final and full garden of Eden.

In an act of new creation, Jesus will
say, “I am making all things new!”.

And he will subdue the whole earth, set
up his presence instead of a tabernacle,

allot land to his people,
and give us eternal rest.

May the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to
see the God who longs to dwell with us.

And may you see Jesus as the one who subdues
sin and death so that he can make all things new.