Joshua 18:1-28

SURVEYING AND DIVIDING THE REST OF THE LAND

(vs.1-10)

Though Jerusalem was God's purposed center for Israel, they had not been able to take this city from the Jebusites, so that they found Shiloh in the territory of Ephraim convenient for the setting up of the tabernacle (v.1). The land was generally subdued before Israel but there were still seven tribes that had not been apportioned their inheritance (v.2).

Joshua remonstrates with Israel in verse 3 as to their neglect to actually possess what God had given them (v.3). Well might believers today take to heart such an admonishment. We have not possessed what God has given us title to. Joshua told Israel therefore to pick out three men from each tribe who could pass through the remaining territory, survey it and part it into seven portions (vs.4-6). Then Joshua would cast lots before the Lord as to which portion each of the tribes would receive. The men would be thus put in a position of wanting to be fully impartial as to the dividing of the land.

The men whom Joshua was sending to survey the land were reminded (v.7) that the Levites had no stated inheritance and the 2½ tribes had theirs on the east side of Jordan. With Joshua's backing therefore the men left on the survey. How long it took we are not told, but when completed they returned to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh. Joshua did as he said, casting lots as to which of the seven tribes was to inherit which portion (v.10).

THE TERRITORY OF BENJAMIN

(vs.11-28)

Benjamin means "son of my right hand," so that the tribe emphasizes the glory of the Lord Jesus as reigning at the right hand of God. Appropriately therefore, Benjamin included Jerusalem (v.28), which was on the border of Benjamin and Judah (ch.15:63). Authority (in Benjamin) and praise (Judah) are beautifully united therefore in this capital city which was God's center, though it was a long time before Jerusalem was taken from the Jebusites (in David's day).

Benjamin's borders are described in verses 1-20, and its cities named in verses 21-28. Its territory was comparatively small, lying between Judah and Ephraim, bounded by the River Jordan on the east and the tribe of Dan on the west.