Sunday, May 5 – Joshua 13, 14
1. What did God mean when He told Joshua, “There remains very much land yet to be possessed”? Joshua 13:1
2. Why was the tribe of Levi not granted land like the other tribes of Israel? Joshua 13:14, 33
3. At what age did Caleb claim God’s promise, telling Joshua, “Give me this mountain”? Joshua 14:10, 12
Commentary and Reflection:
It’s thrilling to read Joshua 13 and 14. Israel was already stepping into the promised land. Their 40-year journey was over, and now they were in the land of their dreams. However, there were many more battles to fight because not all the land had been conquered. There were still many places inhabited by enemies, there were giants dwelling in the places God had promised them. In other words, the promise was still in progress.
At this moment, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had received their inheritance, and it remained to assign territory to the other tribes (Joshua 13:7-8). This must have been a great moment for God’s chosen people! Each tribe was going to be assigned an area in which they would live and multiply, except one tribe to which God ordered not to give land. Yes, the tribe of Levi, the priests of the people, received God as their inheritance. Their promise was different, “the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance,” Joshua 13:33. Their focus was not to be on temporal earthly possessions, but solely on God.
On the other hand, 40 years before, Caleb, the great warrior, had received through Moses the word that the land he had walked on as one of the spies would be given to him and his descendants. This promise was claimed with certitude and faith. His energies were still as that of a 40-year-old, and far from surrendering to old age, his desire was desired to keep fighting for God. Caleb said, “Give me this mountain.” He asked with confidence because he knew that God would fulfill the promise (Joshua 14:12).
Some lessons:
- The divine declaration to Joshua remains a reality today. There is still much territory to be reached. Millions of people in the world have not been reached with the Gospel, including our neighbor, probably. Today, the Church of God must surely advance in seeking those territories that need to be conquered for God.
- Caleb did not forget the promise! 45 years were not long enough for Caleb to forget what God had promised. Every promise from heaven must be kept fresh in our mind until it is fulfilled.
- Old? Really old age begins when somebody gives up. The energy of youth is a great blessing, but it lacks experience. An adult can use experience to accomplish what was not possible before. God needs people of all ages, there is a great mission to live for in every stage of life.
Do you feel old and feel that you are not useful for God’s mission? See what the servant of the Lord says about John the disciple. “The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God can use aged workers. When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos, there were many who thought him to be past service, an old and broken reed, ready to fall at any time. But the Lord saw fit to use him still. Though banished from the scenes of his former labor, he did not cease to bear witness to the truth. Even in Patmos he made friends and converts. His was a message of joy, proclaiming a risen Saviour who on high was interceding for His people until He should return to take them to Himself. And it was after John had grown old in the service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he had received during all the former years of his life.” Acts of the Apostles 472.
She also says about Caleb. “Caleb’s faith now was just what it was when his testimony had contradicted the evil report of the spies. He had believed God’s promise that he would put his people in possession of Canaan… He had endured with his people the long wandering in the wilderness, thus sharing the disappointments and burdens of the guilty; yet he made no complaint of this, but exalted the mercy of God that had preserved him in the wilderness when his brethren were cut off. Amid all the hardships, perils, and plagues of the desert wanderings, and during the years of warfare since entering Canaan, the Lord had preserved him; and now at upwards of fourscore his vigor was unabated. He did not ask for himself a land already conquered, but the place which above all others the spies had thought it impossible to subdue.” Patriarchs and Prophets 512
May God help us today to keep His promises fresh, to be intentional in conquering the land that is still to be possessed, and may our energies be used for His glory until the sunset of our lives.