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. Yeah, I like John Wayne movies. “North to Alaska” was 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? We can learn from the examples in today’s Bible reading.
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 whole-heartedly, 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 is now eighty-five, the Lord has given him the strength of a young man. He still has courageous faith that God will help him clear the giants from his land. Caleb is motivated by faith in God.
The remaining tribes take possession of their inheritance
Like Caleb, some tribes are also acting with courageous faith and going right to the task of claiming their inheritance, no matter how challenging it is. 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 that Joshua is being unfair, giving them property to clear, and there are 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 drive out the Canaanites from their land, even if they do 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 great things. How do we do that?
Joseph is allotted 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 is 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). Why do they not meet in Jerusalem? Jerusalem at this time is inhabited by the Jebusites, and they could not be dislodged by the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:63).
The rest of the tribes are hesitant to claim their inheritances. Finally, surveys are made of the remaining land, and lots are cast for these Israelite tribes (the Levites do not 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 of land within the southern part of the tribe of Judah, but her tribe is later absorbed into Judah's.After the tribes receive their allotments of land, their faithful leader Joshua is assigned a portion of land in the town of Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim as he requests.
Simeon is a small tribe and receives her allotment of land within the southern part of the tribe of Judah, but her tribe is later absorbed into Judah’s.
After the tribes receive their allotments, Joshua is assigned a portion of land in Timnath Serah’s town in Ephraim’s hill country as he requests.
A job half-done
Many of the tribes fail to act in faith, and this will have negative consequences. Here is the testimony that is given many times about their incomplete obedience: “When the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely” (Joshua 17:13, NIV).
It’s a cliché, but it is still true: A job half-done is soon undone. Sanctification (being set apart as a clean and 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 ungodly culture, receive his discipline, and lose them? Walking in holiness may seem difficult, but it is 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 battles or spiritual battles. God is Almighty and does great things. He wants us to exercise our faith in him. Do we know the LORD? Have we claimed our inheritance in heaven? It is 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 mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Now that Israel is settled in the land, the LORD directs her to take steps to ensure social justice and continuance as a nation. How does God provide Refuge and Direction for us? Find out in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagere-edited 3-28-21
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES