We have seen that the territory east of the Jordan had been allotted to the descendants of Reuben and Gad, and to half of the descendants Manasseh (Joshua 13:15-31). And west of the river the tribe of Judah had its territory (15:1-12), as did Ephraim (16:5-9) and the remainder of Manasseh (17:7-11). The tribe of Levi would have towns scattered across all the land of Israel, but would not have a separate territory as an inheritance: “the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance” (13:33, 18:7).

Thus after a considerable period of time four tribes had their allotted territory – Reuben, Gad, Judah, plus Manasseh and Ephraim combined to equal the tribe of Joseph; and Levi’s inheritance was to be servants of the Lord. So “there remained among the Israelites seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned” (18:2). When all of Israel gathered at Shiloh (18:1), Joshua addressed this pointed question to the assembled people: “How long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” (18:3).

In good Presbyterian style they appointed a study committee, three representatives from each tribe, to go survey the remaining land so that it could be marked out into allotments which would then be assigned to the remaining tribes (18:4-6). They “traversed the land and set down in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions” (18:9); then they handed in their report to Joshua at Shiloh, and he cast lots and apportioned the land to the seven tribes (18:10).

It is an interesting question to wonder how long they might have continued to wait for something to happen, if Joshua had not chided them about their slackness in pressing on to receive their inheritance. It makes me wonder how much the same situation may obtain for us: our Lord has spoken regarding how we are to take action for the sake of the kingdom, yet we are hesitant to move forward, waiting for some other indefinite time before we will fulfill the calling God has assigned to us.

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Help us, Lord! You have granted us an inheritance within the kingdom, yet we are such slackers about moving forward to do the assignments you have given us. Set us free from this fearfulness; grant us boldness of soul so that we may readily step forward in obedience.

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