Our daily devotional on Joshua 13 reveals a pivotal moment where, despite the apparent end of conquest and the land seemingly secure, significant work remains. The chapter challenges us to consider our own achievements and ongoing responsibilities. Just as Joshua faced more to conquer even in his advanced years, we too might find that our journey is not yet complete, regardless of past victories. To learn if you shouldn’t settle for less, read the Joshua 12 daily devotional.
As you read or listen to Joshua 13, reflect on how it applies to your life. Even if you’ve made substantial progress, there’s always more to achieve. Embrace both your accomplishments and the tasks that lie ahead, knowing that God’s guidance remains steadfast.
Joshua 13 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Joshua 13, though the battles appear to be over, and the land appeared to be possessed, not so. Let’s see what remains, what is left to do, to secure the Promised Land. Have you enjoyed your wins, though some things are unfinished? Please read or listen to Joshua 13.
What Is the Book of Joshua Trying to Tell Us?
In 1995, after reading Joshua 13, I wrote one line, “More land to be conquered. Do a complete job.”
In 2004, I was reading the Bible chronologically, which means usually reading more than one chapter a day, oftentimes several chapters, to get through the whole Bible in a year. I read Joshua 12-14 and wrote more about chapter 14 so I will save that for tomorrow.
What Is the Main Message of Joshua?
I vary my Bible reading almost every year. In 2013, I just read twenty-five books, a much different pace than trying to get through the whole Bible in a year. Joshua was one of those books that year, as I took the pace a little slower. That is why often you see I was dividing chapters into a couple of days. But on this day, I read Joshua 13 and wrote, “Though Joshua was old, advanced in years, there was still land to be conquered, work to do, and God answered him. He was still with him according to verse 6, yet the Lord instructs Joshua to allot the land conquered to the tribes of Israel. Benefit from your labor so far. Moses had already given Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh land on the other side of the Jordan. Joshua is keeping that promise and allotting that land. God keeps His promise, though it took years to fulfill because of man’s disobedience.”
What Does Joshua 13:1 Mean?
Let’s take a look at Joshua 13. I do not know what age you are, but if you are up in years, you can be encouraged by the first couple of verses of Joshua 13, “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess’” (v. 1). In other words, though Joshua was old, he had more to do.
I hope you feel that way whatever age you are, “there remains yet very much land to possess” (v. 1). Yes, God called Joshua, and He purposed him for some very special things in life. But I believe that is the case for all of us. Why else would we be sojourning on the earth? God has a plan for you. He has purposed you just like He did Joshua. Regardless of your age, discover what God has in store for you and go conquer it. Go possess the land God has for you. As you go, go with the promise Joshua went with. Verse 6 says, “I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel.” Go with God and He will go with you.
The next principle is to go with what you got. Though you may have not completed the job, it is time to enjoy some of the benefits. The Lord instructs Joshua to allocate the land to the tribes of Israel. Though all the land has not been conquered, enough of it has been conquered to allocate to the tribes. Joshua did so.
What Does Joshua 13 Teach Us?
Maybe your tasks are not complete for the Lord yet. That is understandable. I do not believe my tasks are complete yet, either. But it does not mean we cannot enjoy the victories God has given us. Allocate the land, settle in, enjoy some of the benefits. Get renewed for the rest of the battle, but have it in your heart to complete the task.
Prayer
Father, thank You for using us regardless of what age we are. Thank You for us who are advancing in years, that You still have work for us to do. May we complete the task. But also, Lord, thank You for the opportunity to enjoy some of the benefits of past victories. May You use those victories to build upon as we try to complete what You have left for us to do.
Thank You that You say all the time, You will go with us if we will go with You. To God be the glory for the victories we have had in our lives. Lord, guide our steps as we complete the tasks before us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
