Project 119: Joshua 14
| Project 119 | Amy Hirsch
This section of Joshua begins the account of the land distribution west of the Jordan—the land of Canaan given to the Israelites. We see Caleb in this chapter as a picture of the fruits of faithfulness: many years before, Caleb had shown faith in the face of the giants and had trusted that the Lord would give this land into their hands. Joshua 14:8-15 give us a picture of Caleb receiving the rewards promised to him long ago.
While the account of Caleb is fascinating, I have to admit that I was really interested in the comment about the land being awarded by “lots” or by “allotment.” Apparently this was quite a common practice in the Ancient Near East. People would draw lots and believed that the outcome of the drawing was divinely appointed. I remember “drawing straws” a lot in school when people would be arguing over who got to do something. The teacher often did this as a way to show that he or she wasn’t showing favoritism and to make the scenario as fair as possible, so I can imagine there were probably some benefits to Joshua portioning out the land this way—certainly no one could complain that one tribe was being favored over another if lots were drawn!
Regardless of how the land was received and the method that was used, one thing we can be certain of is that the Lord determined the lots and put His people where He willed for them to be. Now, we don’t receive land by lot today, but I think the same point is still applicable. The places we live, the neighbors we have, the jobs we enjoy, the coworkers we serve alongside, and the church where we worship—none of these things are random. The Lord has specifically appointed these places and these people in your life.
Often, it’s easy for us to look over at someone else’s lot with jealousy. I’m sure that happened from time to time with the Israelites too—they might have looked over and saw that another tribe had a better view, or more fruitful soil, or more access to natural resources. When we are tempted to envy, we must remind ourselves of God’s good plan and He has chosen this lot—this place, these relationships, and these responsibilities—for us in these specific days days. As you pray today, take some time to read over and pray Psalm 16, especially verses 5-6:
“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed I have a beautiful inheritance” (Psalm 16:5-6)
This psalm has been a helpful antidote for me when I find myself being tempted to envy and doubt. Oh Lord, help us to trust and believe that You have given us Your best—You have determined our lots and hold our stories in Your hands. Help us to be faithful stewards of the places, relationships, and resources you have given us, for Your glory!
Joshua 14 (ESV):
These are the inheritances that the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel gave them to inherit. 2 Their inheritance was by lot, just as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses for the nine and one-half tribes. 3 For Moses had given an inheritance to the two and one-half tribes beyond the Jordan, but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them. 4 For the people of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. And no portion was given to the Levites in the land, but only cities to dwell in, with their pasturelands for their livestock and their substance. 5 The people of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses; they allotted the land.
6 Then the people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. 8 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. 9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, just as he said, these forty-five years since the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel walked in the wilderness. And now, behold, I am this day eighty-five years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. 12 So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.”
13 Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14 Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel. 15 Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war.