Joshua 13:1-7 Seeing with eyes of the heart the fulfillment of the promises
Joshua 13:1-7
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much 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 lords 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 them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you. 7 Now therefore, apportion this land for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half- tribe of Manasseh.
Background
This section begins the second portion of the book of Joshua. Having completed the conquest of Canaan west of River Jordan, Joshua began the allocation of land to the Israelites. Despite many territories yet taken, God instructed Joshua to apportion these territories yet possessed as inheritance for the Israelites while giving His personal guarantee that He will drive the Canaanites out. Today’s devotion teaches us to see God’s promises with eyes of the heart and live in a manner as if we have already obtained them.
Observation
You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed.
During this time, Joshua was probably a hundred years old and the reality is: very much of the land remains to be possessed. The Lord spoke to Joshua and listed from the south of Canaan to the north the land that remained to be possessed (see the below map). The territories in green are land that remains to be possessed.
I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel; only allot it to Israel for an inheritance as I have commanded you.
The Lord’s commitment: I will drive them out before the sons of Israel, applies to the inhabitants of all the land that remains to be possessed, which refers to all Canaanite territory west side of River Jordan. And all that was required of Joshua was to allot the land (including the unpossessed land) to Israel for an inheritance. This was a juridical undertaking from God that sealed the Israelites’ ownership over the land. This is acceptable because God was the sovereign Ruler of all creation. The apostle Paul said,
And God made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. Acts 17:26
Thus, God alone determines the appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation for all peoples. The concept of “allotted portion” or “lot” is embedded in the words of the psalmist,
The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. Psalm 16:5-6
God instructed Joshua to apportion this land (west of River Jordan) for an inheritance to the nine tribes and the half- tribe of Manasseh as an inheritance and He promised to see to its fulfillment. As background information, land for the remaining two tribes (Gad and Reuben) and the half-tribe of Manasseh (East Manasseh) were allotted to them west of the River Jordan. The approximate boundaries of land allocated to the tribes are represented in the below map.
Truth
God is righteous and will apportion to all believers their well deserved share of the reward and inheritance.
After fighting a long and tedious war west of River Jordan, the Israelites were allotted their share of land by God the righteous Judge. There was no negotiating or bickering for God Himself had appointed for the people their fair share of the inheritance.
The land distribution in the days of Joshua is a model of justice and righteousness of God. Everyone got their rightful portion and there was no prejudice nor injustice. However, in the society where injustice is rampant, people constantly fear of being exploited for their work. However, it is comforting to know that justice will be restored when Christ, the righteous Ruler returns. He will enforce justice by vindicating and rewarding those who have done their part to build His kingdom. Jesus in response to Peter who said to Him,
“Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” Matthew 19:27-30
As spoken by Jesus, the inheritance for the faithful are such:
a. Authority – you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
b. Assets, family, faithful friends and disciples – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much…
c. A glorious existence – inherit eternal life.
d. Honor – But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.
Therefore, believers must work with God’s righteous rule in mind and not be detracted by selfish interests or the injustices that are happening around them. In all our endeavors, we must work with the aim of restoring God’s kingdom in the society through justice and compassion. By yielding ourselves to God’s purposes, we bring passion back into our work. And God will reward us in this life and in the life to come. The apostle Paul taught,
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24
Having full assurance of God’s righteousness rule, we are freed from the notions of injustice to serve others with love and passion.
Seeing with eyes of the heart the fulfillment of the promises
God gave Israel the assurance: I will drive them out from before the sons of Israel, they only need to complete the juridical process of allotting land to the tribes. In other words, even though the Israelites have yet to possess the land, they have to live and breathe as if they have already possessed it. Hence, believers while awaiting the fulfillment of the promises can now work towards obtaining the promises without fear of failure. Their prayers must turn from petition to thanksgiving of promises fulfilled. Many churchgoers were unable to rejoice until they see the realisation of the promises with their physical eyes. Hence, many amidst the constant fear and complaining have ceased to live life abundantly. The apostle Paul prayed for believers to see with eyes of the heart,
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
Born with no arms and no legs, Nick Vujicic has overcome life’s challenges because he saw with the eyes of the heart the full restoration of his limbs. Hence, Vujicic keeps a pair of shoes in his closet to remind him of what he believed and saw with his heart. He then moved on to become a world renowned motivational speaker.
Application
- Do you keep repeating your prayers for the same things when you could have given thanks for promises fulfilled? By giving thanks continually believers display trust and confidence towards God while diligently working towards its fulfillment.
- Do you feel marginalised and unappreciated for the work that you have done? Perhaps you could give thanks because God is righteous and He has already made plans to reward you for your work. God is just and He will in His time apportion to you your well deserved share of your inheritance.
Dear Lord, I thank you for apportioning to me my reward and inheritance. Help me see with eyes of the heart the realisation of my inheritance. Meanwhile, imbue into me divine passion to serve others in the best of my ability. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.