Week 67, Day 4: Dividing the rest
Today’s Reading: Joshua 19:1-51
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
After the surveying was completed, Joshua divides the rest of the land by lots. Here we have detailed for us who received their portion. Much of the land still remained to be taken. If you look at the map of how far they came into the land you will see that Israel did not take the land all the way to the great sea, rather they went about two-thirds of the way into the land and then went north or south. We are not told why this is but if you look at the geography of the land, Israel took the land until they came to the plains along the coast. Israel took the hilly inner region of palestine but did not push out into the plains along the coast. This makes me wonder if this is because of the comment made in 17:16 where they reference the iron chariots of those who live in the valley. In the plains or valleys the inhabitants would have had chariots to use in their warfare. This is another indicator that Israel was not trusting fully in God to deliver the inhabitants into their hands, no matter what weapons they had.
Also consider that within the tribe of Asher’s territory were two well known cities. Sidon and Tyre. Tyre is described as a fortified city. Certainly these cities would require determination to take and great strength if it were just up to man to overthrow them. But Israel had God’s promise that He would fight for them and with them. This truth had been displayed through their many victories and through the overthrow of such places as Jericho. What match was a fortified city to an army who captain is the Lord?
Question: What was left for the children of Israel to do now that they have apportioned the land?
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