Joshua 12, 13, 14 and 15 speak of the kings who are defeated by Joshua and how the land is allotted by both Moses and Joshua to the people of Israel. Of note is the distribution to Caleb (Joshua 14). When he spied out the land of Canaan while the people were in the wilderness, he and Joshua were the only ones who believed that God would prevail. Moses promised Caleb the land he had spied. Joshua gives him this land and blesses Caleb because he followed the Lord. The Jebusites who live in Jerusalem cannot be driven out so they live with the people of Judah who inherit the city.

In Romans 13 Paul encourages Christians to be subject to governing authorities and to pay their taxes. He asserts that if they are doing what is right then they will not get into trouble. Paul’s reasoning for this is that authorities are instituted by God. Disobedience to them is actually disobedience to God.

This is not a statement about the linking of the church and the state. Of course, at the time of Paul the Caesars were in power in Rome. No one would have confused them as being pro-Christian. What he is encouraging is good citizenship. Also what he is saying is that God is in control even when government is bad. Suffering under oppression brings strength of faith. One should still comport oneself well so that there is no good reason to be punished. Being punished while doing good becomes a strong witness.

Paul also encourages believers to love one another and gives a description of the kind of life this life of love embraces. Again, our aim is to put on Christ and not to gratify our own desires.