Many of the next chapters of Joshua deal with division of land as the Lord instructed. It is detailed and precise as God wanted. Please read it on your own, as I will summarize a great deal of the text.
Joshua Chapter 18
The land had been divided but there were seven tribes remaining who had not yet been allotted their inheritance. So Joshua sent out three men from each of the remaining tribes to scout and survey the unconquered territory. The men returned with maps of the land and a written report. Then at Shiloh, Joshua cast sacred lots in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe should have each section.
The first allotment of land went to the tribe of Benjamin. It lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph. The boundaries are listed in verses 12-20.
Chapter 19
The second allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Simeon. Their inheritance was surrounded by Judah's territory.
The third allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Zebulun.
The fourth allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Issachar.
The fifth allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Asher.
The sixth allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Naphtali.
The seventh allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Dan. But the tribe of Dan had trouble taking possession of the land, so they fought against the town of Laish, captured it, slaughtered its people and settled there. They named the city Dan after their ancestor.
After all the land was divided among the tribes, the Israelites gave a special piece of land to Joshua as his inheritance. For the Lord had said he could have any town he wanted. He chose Timnath-serah, in the hill country of Ephraim, re-built the city and lived there.
These territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun, and the tribal leaders gave as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel by casting sacred lots in the presence of the Lord at the entrance of the Tabernacle at Shiloh. So the division was now complete.
BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Casting lots is not fully explained, it could be by using dice or more likely by drawing a name from an urn. Either way, it meant taking the human factor out and letting the Lord make the choice. From Gilgal, the tabernacle was set up in Shiloh, probably because it was a central location and made it easier for people to attend the special worship services and yearly festivals.
Read the boundaries of the land because of their strategic importance. 1. The boundaries gave each tribe ownership, promoting loyalty and unity and strengthening each tribe. 2. The boundaries delineated areas of responsibility and would help each tribe develop and mature. 3. Boundaries reduced conflicts that might happen if everyone wanted to live in the choicest areas. 4. Boundaries fulfilled the promised inheritance of each tribe that began in the day of Jacob (Genesis 48:21,22).
How do these chapters relate to us today? The promise was fulfilled, just as the Lord can fulfill promises he makes to us each day. It may take patience on our behalf, and fortitude, strength and stick-to-it-iveness, but the gifts from God will come to us. Stop and think of the little things we ask of God. Doesn't he always come through? It takes faith on our part. With faith, God can tackle your most difficult situations. Have courage!
Yours in Christ,
Mary
Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has gained four ounces, but there is still concern for her lungs.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment