Joshua 19

Joshua 19:1

PORTION FOR SIMEONAs we saw in chapter 15, the tribe of Judah was given a special preference because it was the kingly tribe. It will be in that tribe that the capital of the nation, both religious and political, will be established. The capital city will become Jerusalem, and we will see that David is the one who made that choice. Because the land allotted to Judah was more than it needed, the southern portion was given to Simeon.

Joshua 19:10

PORTION FOR ZEBULUN, ISSACHAR, ASHER, NAPHTALI, DANThe tribe of Zebulun received a portion of land that was landlocked in lower Galilee. The inheritance of Issachar went from Mount Tabor on the west to the southern part of the Sea of Galilee. It also included territory in the coastal region from north of Mount Carmel to the approximate area of Tyre and Sidon. The tribe of Naphtali settled in the area of eastern Upper and Lower Galilee. The territory of Dan was located between Benjamin and the Mediterranean Sea. Later some of the Danites migrated northward and settled near the northern part of Naphtali. This section reveals how much detail God gave concerning Israel and the land. The land and the people go together. God not only gave them the land of Canaan, He also gave a particular area to a particular tribe. He gave each tribe a certain section of land. God was concerned about each individual and his possession. In this God has a lesson for you and me today. It tells us that God is concerned about our personal lives. My friend, for Him your private life is not privateHe knows you like a book. A rather godless neighbor said to me one day, “I want to go out into the desert where I can be by myself, and away from everybody.” Well, that is a normal desire. We all need to get away from people once in awhile. But I reminded himand I don’t think he appreciated itthat he wouldn’t get away from God. I said, “You can’t run away from Him, brother. He will be right out there in the desert waiting for you.” It is wonderful, friend, to get away from people like that, if we are getting away for fellowship with the Lord.

Joshua 19:49

JOSHUA RECEIVES A SPECIAL PORTIONYou would think that because Joshua was a man of God, had successfully led the children of Israel against the Canaanites, and had been victorious, that the Israelites would tell him that he could pick out any spot he wanted in which to settle. But that is not what happened. The Israelites did not offer him the choice spots in which to settle. Joshua made his own choice. It was a place called Timnath-serah. It was about eleven miles from Shiloh.

It was a barren place, and one of the worst spots Joshua could have chosen. It reminds me of Abraham and Lot when they returned from the land of Egypt. Abraham said to Lot, “You pick any section you want and I will take what is left of this land.” Lot took the very best and left Abraham holding the bag. This incident shows the character of these men. Joshua chose land that was similar to the backside of the desert. This is certainly a revelation of his character.

It also reveals something about the Israelites. They were perfectly willing to let this man of God have a small, barren place as his portion. In my opinion it is equally as shameful to see a church or Christian organization that has been served by a faithful worker, let that worker grow old and retire without making any arrangement for a pension for him. Cold-blooded business corporations take care of their employees when they retire, but God’s people often fail to do this.