Joshua 13:1–7
1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and a very large amount of the land remains to be possessed.
2 This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all those of the Geshurites;
3 from the Shihor which is east of Egypt, even as far as the border of Ekron to the north (it is counted as Canaanite); the five governors of the Philistines: the Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite; and the Avvite
4 to the south, all the land of the Canaanite, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, as far as Aphek, to the border of the Amorite;
5 and the land of the Gebalite, and all of Lebanon, toward the east, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.
6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon as far as Misrephoth-maim, all the Sidonians, I will drive out from the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel as an inheritance as I have commanded you.
7 Now therefore, apportion this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
Command to Divide the Land
Joshua in his old age
The conquest of Canaan was ongoing, with many lands yet to be taken. However, Joshua, being the commander-in-chief, though advanced in age (about 80–85), was pressured to make new measures. (1) The Lord appreciated Joshua as He said to him, “You are old and advanced in years,” and then commanded him to begin the apportionment of the land. (2) At this time, there were many lands yet to be taken. (3) After the apportion, each tribe was responsible for conquering the lands they had inherited. (4) The names of unpossessed lands are listed in order from south to north. “The Philistines” are the people of the coastal nations. They launched an attack against Egypt during the time of Ramesses III but were driven back and made establishment in the coastal area, south of Mount Carmel, in the early 12th century B.C. The name “Palestine” came from the Philistine. The Gazite, the Ashdodite, the Ashkelonite, the Gittite, the Ekronite, and the Avvite are five cities part of an alliance.
Conquest by faith
We can learn several lessons from this passage. (1) God’s providential aspect was in the division of the land. Namely, the nine tribes of Israel and the half-tribe of Manasseh drew a lot in apportioning the land. Even in each of our lives, we are to live within the many conditions granted through God’s providence. (2) The lands were not allotted to each tribe automatically, rather each needed to win the land to acquire as inheritance. The Biblical life view says that “the blessing has already been given. Therefore, received it by faith.” (3) The entirety of the land that God promised was never fully conquered. Some areas were conquered during the time of David and Solomon. For the complete fulfillment of the promise, we must wait until the Messianic Kingdom (Millennial Kingdom). (4) The tribe of Judah and the tribe of Joseph (especially the tribe of Ephraim) inherited the major lands. This is a fulfillment of Jacob’s prophecy in Genesis 49. Have you thanked God for the area in your own life given by God and walked accordingly? Grace and effort are like the wheels of a car.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, may I accept and appreciate the circumstances given to me, recognizing Your blessings, as I journey through life. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.