Month: February 2016

Verses 1-48: This section sees the children of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan receive their portions of the land. Each division is specifically mentioned and described geographically or by name. 

The theme of the children not driving out all of the inhabitants is not mentioned, but remember, it is still a theme to this book, and we will see the consequences of this in a later chapter. 

Verses 49-51: At last, Joshua is given his portion of the land. There is nothing particularly memorable about these verses and the way they describe Joshua and how he came by his portion. The portion he received, he asked for, and we saw this same thing happen earlier in Chapter 14 when Caleb requested a particular section of land and received it.

The lasting lesson here, however, is that it is Joshua that is doing the asking this time. The leader is making the request. You might expect a leader to come in and pick the best land first. A leader that would do this might think he deserved it, having gotten his army through and taken the land through strong will and good sense. But Joshua’s actions are not those of a typical leader. Joshua makes sure that all of the people are accounted for first, then he asks for land. Joshua’s leadership is one of servanthood. He leads the Israelites by serving them and by serving them in alignment with God’s direction. By leading the people in this way, Joshua is also serving God and leaving behind an exemplary impression of humility and the desire to please God. If I were in Joshua’s shoes, how tempted would I be to take the best land first?

Likewise today, am I all too ready to experience God’s blessings and rejoice in them without taking the time to share the good news with the lost? For I know God has saved me through Jesus’s blood, yet I neglect opportunities to share Christ’s power to save with others.

There is a lot that we can learn from Joshua.

Verses 1-10 of this chapter have the most that we can learn from. The latter verses deal again with the layout of the newly inherited land by the remaining tribes. 
Joshua seems somewhat impatient with the remaining tribes, encouraging them to go and claim their inheritance of the land. It was theirs to take, however a lack of sense of ownership or inhibition was holding them back. Whatever the cause, all they needed to begin the survey of the land and thus the assignment of their lot of it, was some strong encouragement from their leader Joshua.
Likewise, we also are implored to act when we know what to do:
“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” ‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” ‭James‬ ‭4:17‬
When I know that there is something I need to take hold of, a responsibility, a blessing or a duty, do I need encouragement? We all need encouragement and reminders, there is no fault in that. The true shame arrives when we do nothing despite gentle or strong reminders to act.

Verses 1-13: Manasseh was divided up into two kingdoms. The second half here is allotted for, and we have yet another mention of not all the Canaanites being driven out.

Verses 14-18: The sons of Joseph are asking for more land. They obviously want land that is ready to settle because Joshua offers them the mountainous land that needs clearing. Clearing of trees and the removal of the Perizzites is needed. 

But the sons of Joshua resist this idea because of the difficulties inherent and the work involved. Nevertheless, Joshua directs them to the mountains and tells them to drive out the others as well as clear the land. 

The lesson is that sometimes God’s blessings require work on our part. The blessings that we ask for can be granted out of hand directly, as Caleb was given the land he asked for in Joshua 14. The blessings we seek from God can be denied us, which we will all experience and must endeavor to understand through the course of our life. In this case, Joseph’s sons are required to help the blessings come to life themselves. They are shown how to make it happen and the actions needed to make it a reality are clear.

When I ask for God’s providence or intervention, am I perceptive to that which may be required of me to make it happen? Am I willing to act to realize the blessings I am seeking?

The children of Joseph receive their blessing. The land is allocated and represented geographically. The main idea to note in this chapter is the recurring theme found once again in verse 10: 
“And they did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites to this day and have become forced laborers.”

Why did the Lord allow the Israelites not to drive out all of the people? This is not the first time it has been mentioned in Joshua. In the coming years, the Israelites will allow the indigenous peoples to influence their worship habits, despite the people’s status as a subservient class or even as slaves.

One reason could be prophecy. We know from Genesis 3 that God knew from the beginning that Jesus’s sacrifice would be forthcoming for the redemption of man. Did God allow the Israelites not to drive them out so that the Israelites would prove the old law ineffectual? Did He allow it so that the remnants of these pagans would ultimately be exposed to the gospel as gentiles? We don’t know.

What we do know, however, is that the Israelites disobeyed God by not driving out all of the people as God commanded. And because of this, the people turned away from God and it sorrowed Him greatly. 

It is important that I follow through with the totality of God’s commandments. It is imperative that I understand what He desires for me in my life. It is paramount that I use my talents to serve Him to the best of my ability. God is great and has done everything. That which I am able to do, I owe it to Him to do it.

What are those things that I should be doing? How should I order my thoughts? Read also Colossians 3:1-17.