Joshua 16, 17, 18, 19 - Dividing the Remaining Land

Joshua 16, 17, 18, 19

So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?" (verse 3)

Message: Dividing the Remaining Land

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Chapter 15 dealt with the dividing of land for Judah and now Chapter 16 states, "the lot for the sons of Joseph." Judah prevailed, but Joseph had the birthright. In verse 4 are the sons of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim and their inheritance. Ephraim finishes out this chapter and then in 17:1 begins the tribe of Manasseh, starting with Manasseh's first-born son Machir, followed by Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. Machir's 5 daughters are mentioned as he had no sons. In verse 10 there is mention that the Canaanites would not leave so they put them into forced labor. In Chapter 18, it states the sons of Israel subdue the remaining land at Shiloh. Verse 2 mentions 7 tribes left to divide their inheritance (Benjamin, Dan, Issachar, Zebulun, Simeon, Naphtali, and Asher). Joshua asks each tribe to send 3 men to be responsible for determining each of their inheritances. This is further carried out and delineated in chapter 19. 

Shiloh was an important place of worship. Located 30 miles north of Jerusalem (in tribe of Ephraim). 

In chapter 18, verse 10, it states that "Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there divided the land to the sons of Israel." Lots scream random and yet in Proverbs 16:33 it says, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Lots is the method that the land is divided and yet, in that process, the Lord makes his decision, thus there is nothing ultimately random about it. I wonder if this is true in our lives as well. 

Like recorded here in Joshua, although they were charged to divide the land, it was not yet all subdued and this mirrors our role now on this earth, in that Christ has conquered death and saved people from their sin, but the Church still has a job to do in reaching those that have not yet conformed to the Gospel of Jesus of Christ. 

Summary: Land continues to be divided among the many tribes of Israel. 3 1/2 tribes thus far, and in this section of scripture, the remaining 8 1/2 tribes. 

Promise: All of us are called to contribute to the work of making disciples of every nation.

Prayer: Lord, help me to continue to have an ambition to seek out those that need the Gospel. My ways are often selfish and me-focused. I am noticing this lately as I stare at my needs and want them met in my way and as I do this, I take my focus off of my commission and that is to seek out those who need to hear the gospel. Thank you for your direction in life and being in control. Forgive me an so many others in this world who are constantly questioning You and Your ways. It is hard to be around a world and so many prescribing that life is random and up to chance. You use lots and games of chance to determine outcomes and yet You God are over all. 

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