Joshua 13:1-33

LAND REMAINING TO BE CONQUERED

(vv. 1-7)

Joshua became "old and advanced in years" (v. 1). In fact, he was not a young man when he led Israel across the Jordan, at least in his sixties. If, as we rightly consider, he is a type of "Christ in you," his aging would indicate that the spiritual energy of God's people, though it may be fresh and vigorous at first, nearly always begins to wane with time. We see this in Israel and we see it in the Church, and sadly in many individual believers.

Yet there was "very much land to be possessed." How much of the truth of scripture do we really possess? There have been godly, faithful men who have led the way in giving us possession of much scriptural knowledge that might otherwise have remained of no value to us. They have certainly not exhausted scripture, but have passed off the scene. Where is the energy of faith now to gain possession of land that has not been possessed? Should not every believer be stirred in heart to apply himself to the diligent study of the Word of God, not only to gain knowledge, but to thereby know the Lord better, to be filled with all the fullness of God?

The first unpossessed land mentioned is "all the territory of the Philistines" (v. 2). The Philistines had originally come from Egypt by way of the north, not having to cross the Red Sea, so they are a picture of those who have come into Christian profession without facing the truth of the death of Christ for them, -- not redeemed, but religious. Their name means "wallowers," for they wallow in the mire of empty forms and ceremonies, and have always been a thorn in Israel's side. In the history of the Church too this same evil has continually opposed the simplicity of the truth of the gospel of grace, and only faith can overcome it. In David's day the Philistines were largely subdued, though never expelled from the land.

Geshurites are mentioned along with the Philistines. Their name means "proud beholders," speaking of those who take the place merely of spectators, well able to criticize, proud of their ability to tell what should be done, but not involving themselves in the work of the Lord at all. We all know people of this kind, but let us not be like them: rather let us fully judge this kind of evil, triumphing over it by the faith of spiritual energy.

Verse 3describes the territories of these nations in more detail, including the five major cities of the Philistines, and adding "the Avites." Gaza, a city of the Philistines, means "strong," for ceremonial religion seeks the greatest power in the world and boasts of the strength of its numbers. Such strength means nothing to those who walk by faith. Let us never be intimidated by it. The harlot city Babylon may be so strong as to reign over the kings of the earth (Revelation 17:18), but "her plagues will come in one day -- death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her" (Revelation 18:8). We may now defeat such evil by trusting in the strength of the Lord God.

Ashdod means "the spoiler," for such formal religion as we see in the Philistines becomes a spoiling, desolating thing to its victims, leaving no positive blessing for them. This negative, harmful character of religious pretense is again only to be overcome by the positive energy of faith in the living God.

Askelon has a strange meaning for a city, "the fire of infamy." But false religion often strongly attacks those who will not submit to it by putting them in the worst light possible. Through the middle ages many were branded as heretics by the professing "Church," who were godly, devoted believers. But we must not be intimidated by this kind of enmity, rather let us overcome it by faith.

Gath means "the winepress." The winepress speaks of the wrath of God's judgment (Revelation 14:19), and again in the middle ages it was often seen that the professing "Church" claimed to be the executor of the judgment of God against those she called "heretics." Only faith can capture Gaza, so that the winepress will be truly in the hand of God alone, not in the hands of perverters.

Ekron means "rooting out." Various false religions have tried hard to root out all who do not submit to them, but this is a dreadful evil when that religion is clothed with a Christian name. They want complete domination, but again Ekron should be captured

for the Lord. For it will be right for Him in His own time to fulfill His own words, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted shall be uprooted" (Matthew 15:13). Thus the energy of faith will give Him His rights.

The Philistines were in the south, then northwest were the Canaanites (v. 4)and various peoples connected with them. Canaanites means "traffickers," so that this northern area seems to symbolize the evil principle of using Christianity for monetary gain. Israel was responsible to subdue such enemies, just as the Lord Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple (John 2:14), but though the Canaanites were in general conquered, yet there remained pockets of resistance. Joshua was told by the Lord to divide the land between Israel's tribes (vv. 6-7), then each tribe had the work remaining of subduing and banishing every enemy in their territory, just as today all believers are to fight against and subdue the spiritual evils that threaten their enjoyment of our spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10).

LAND DIVIDED BETWEEN THE 2 & 1/2 TRIBES

(vv. 8-14)

While half the tribe of Manasseh was included in the inheritance of property west of Jordan, the other half tribe is now seen connected with Reuben and Gad on the east of Jordan (v. 8). They had asked for this before and Moses had granted it to them (Numbers 32:1). This land was divided between these 21/2 tribes. "Nevertheless the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or the Maacathites (v. 13). They still had the evil principle of the "proud beholder" (the meaning of Geshur) to contend with, just as believers today must contend with the pride that can observe and proudly criticize without being involved in the testimony of the Lord. This is an evil not easily banished! Yet, let us have serious exercise not to allow any such attitude to surface in our own personal experience.

Verse 14 reminds us that the tribe of Levi was given no inheritance for themselves, for they were scattered among the tribes to serve the Lord where they were placed, and were dependent on God's providing for them by the sacrifices and offerings of the people. They were therefore simply to look to God for their support, as is true for any servant of the Lord today who engages his full time in the Lord's work.

THE LAND GIVEN TO REUBEN (vv. 15-23)

The land of Reuben on the south adjoined Moab. On the west of it was the Dead Sea and a little further north the River Jordan. The north border was the south border of Gad. Heshbon is the farthest north city mentioned in Reuben's territory. The east border is not so well defined, perhaps because of desert toward the east, but Reuben inherited all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites (v. 21).

It is noted here, because Reuben is so close to Moab, that the children of Israel killed Balaam the soothsayer, who had been hired by Balak to curse Israel, then had counseled Balak to have his people mingle with Israel to corrupt them (Numbers 31:16).

GAD'S INHERITANCE (vv. 24-28)

The land given to Gad was north of that of Reuben, including the territory of Jazer (evidently just north of Heshbon) and continuing north to include Succoth which was near the Jordan River. Jordan was again the west border of Gad, and the east border is once more apparently indistinct. In this territory and the meaning of the names of cities there is without doubt spiritual instruction to be found if we were diligent and discerning enough to find it.

THE EASTERN PORTION FOR MANASSEH (vv. 29-33)

Manasseh's inheritance (for its half tribe) was north of Gad's, including the territory taken from Og king of Bashan, its west border being also the Jordan River, though the other half tribe of Manasseh was given its portion on the west side of the river, opposite the half tribe on the east. Again we are reminded that it was Moses who had given this inheritance to Manasseh (v. 32), and again we are told that the Levites were not given territory of their own, for the God of Israel was their inheritance (v. 33).