Read Joshua 18-19
Years
have passed since Israel first crossed the Jordan River. Now the time has come
for them to settle in their tribal inheritances. Chapter 18 opens with a
gathering of the entire nation. Joshua goes before the assembly and addresses
them: “How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which
the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (17:3). Israel had been
wandering for forty years in the wilderness. Now they are physically present in
the Promised Land, but have not settled and established permanent homes. Many are
accustomed to a nomadic lifestyle. The idea of settling surely came with some
fear of the unknown. Joshua addresses this fear directly by requiring a number
of the Israelites to assist in the process of allocating land. Three men from
each of the nine remaining tribes go to survey the land. They return with
recommendations for how Joshua should divide the remaining land. With these
recommendations in hand, Joshua casts lots and grants the Israelites their
inheritance (18:10-19:48).
Chapter
19 closes with a description of how Joshua received his own inheritance
(19:49-50). Upon further reflection we see that these verses contain much
significance. Joshua was a prophetic picture, or a foreshadow, of Israel’s true
leader – Jesus Christ. Joshua led the people to defeat their enemies and claim
Israel’s promised inheritance. The fulfillment of this prophetic foreshadowing
is Christ defeating Satan and leading us into our eternal inheritance. It is
easy to stop here, but the parallel continues. Joshua chose his inheritance and
the people of Israel granted it to him. So too, Jesus chose His inheritance; He
chose each of us. Jesus could have chosen anything for an inheritance (and
surely Jesus will receive everlasting dominion). His Father is the maker and
owner of the entire universe. Yet, in His love, Jesus desired us above all
else. As Joshua chose his city, so Jesus chose us. As Israel freely gave Joshua
his city in return for what he had done for them, so too we must freely give
ourselves to Jesus for what he has done for us.
Prayer
and Journaling
1. Jesus chose you as His inheritance!
Reflect on that today. He sees you as more valuable than anything in the entire
universe! What does this mean for your life? How should you live in response to
this?
2. We are only told of two men who received a
personal inheritance – Caleb and Joshua. Both men acted faithfully and
obediently throughout their entire lives and God rewarded them for this. Ask
God about your character today. Let Him affirm your good qualities and lovingly
correct your weaknesses.
3. Pray the lost today. Specifically, pray by
name for the people in your life who do not walk with Jesus. Pray that they
would come to know the amazing privilege of an intimate relationship with Him.
Pray that they would know the joys of having their identity rooted in Him. Pray
that they would come to Him to find true life.
