Day 88, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Joshua 16:1–19:9; 1Chronicles 4:24-33; Joshua 19:10-51
Claim Your Inheritance
“North to Alaska” was a 1960 comedic movie, starring John Wayne and Ernie Kovacs. It told the story of the last gold rush in Alaska from 1897 to 1899. People came from all over the nation to stake their claims. In a similar “vein,” Israel “struck gold” when God brought them to the land of Canaan. We followers of Christ have an eternal inheritance in heaven, and we, too, have struck gold. Is there anything we should do to claim our inheritance? Yes. Read on.
Caleb claims his inheritance
Yesterday, we learned about Caleb. He was one of the original men who spied out the land of Canaan when Israel was at Kadesh-Barnea, the southern border. Because Joshua and Caleb trusted the LORD, God allowed them to live and go into the Promised Land.
In today's Bible reading, Caleb claims his piece of land in Hebron. Although he's now eighty-five, the Lord has given him the strength of a young man. He still has courageous faith God will help him clear the giants from his land. Faith in God Motivates Caleb.
The remaining tribes take possession of their inheritance
Like Caleb, some tribes are also acting with courageous faith. They're claiming their inheritance, no matter how challenging their opposition. Others are more hesitant, needing prodding or encouragement to get them going. Some even prefer others to do all the work.
The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh whine Joshua is being unfair, giving them property to clear, and they're giants in the land. Their enemies also have horses with iron chariots —the task is too challenging (Joshua 17:16-17).
Joshua expresses no sympathy for them, however, and encourages them to fight and claim their inheritance. If they go forth into battle with faith in the LORD, he will help them. He will drive out the Canaanites from their land, even if they have giants and horses with iron chariots.
Although we have an inheritance in heaven, we must still fight battles of faith on this earth. When we fight together with the LORD, we can accomplish tremendous things.
Israel assigns Joseph two tribes, Ephraim and Manasseh, named after his two children, born in Egypt. One-half of Manasseh's inheritance is east of the Jordan River in the land of Gilead, and the other half is west of the Jordan. The tribes of Dan and Benjamin take their inheritance within the large southern tribe of Judah (map ).The newly allotted home for God's tabernacle is set up at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). Shiloh is a town in Ephraim in the center of the Promised Land. The name of the city means “peace.” Its centrality provides the most convenient place for the tribes to meet. It's here the people are to offer their sacrifices and hold their feasts. It will be a place of sacrifice and rejoicing (Deuteronomy 12:10-14). The Jebusites inhabited Jerusalem, and the tribe of Judah couldn't dislodge them (Joshua 15:63).
The rest of the tribes were hesitant to claim their inheritances. Finally, under Joseph's direction, they conducted surveys of the remaining land. Then they cast lots for these Israelite tribes (the Levites didn't inherit land).
Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, and Asher receive their allotted inheritance in Israel's northern land (see map).Simeon is a small tribe and receives her allotment within the southern tribe of Judah. Judah would later absorb this tribe.
After the tribes receive their allotments, the Israelites assign Joshua a portion of land in Ephraim's hill country. He had requested to live in the town of Timnath Serah.
A job half-done
Many of the tribes fail to act in faith, and this would have negative consequences. “When the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely,” (Joshua 17:13, NIV).
A job that is only half-done will soon be undone, as the cliché goes. Sanctification (being set apart as clean or pure unto the LORD) is a dual responsibility of God and his people of every age. The LORD makes us holy, and we who are now part of his family are to walk in holiness.
Complete obedience to God leads to peace and unimaginable blessings from him.
What will we do? Will we walk in holiness with God and experience his peace and blessings, or will we become like our depraved culture, receive his discipline, and lose them?
Walking in holiness may seem difficult, but it's the easiest path and gives the most fulfillment.
God rewards the faithful, but we must trust him to help us win our battles when we claim our inheritance. These may be personal or spiritual battles. God is Almighty and does great things, and he wants us to exercise our faith in him. Do we know the LORD? Have we claimed our inheritance in heaven? It's ours if we have trusted him to deliver us from our sins (more...).Focus Verses
1Peter 1:14-15 (NIV) “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
Endnote: The exact procedure for casting lots is not explained in the Bible. The lots are stones (Wilson’s Old Testament Word Studies, p.260a ). It might be similar to rolling dice or putting stones with names into a container, shaking them up, and casting them out one at a time. p.260a
Discussion
Although we have an inheritance in heaven, what battles of faith might we experience here on earth?
What does the cliché,” a job half-done is soon undone” mean for the Christian life?
What does God want us to do when we are faced with great challenges, bigger than we can handle? How should we do it?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Now that God settles Israel in the land, he directs her to ensure social justice and continuance as a nation. How does God provide a refuge and direction for us? Find out in our next lesson.
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