In today’s daily devotional on Joshua 18, the Promised Land continues to be divided among the tribes of Israel, but the process proves to be more challenging than anticipated. Despite the divine promise of abundance and territory, the Israelites face a crucial decision: will they persevere in claiming what God has prepared for them, or will they settle for less? This chapter reveals a critical moment of accountability and action, urging us to reflect on our own spiritual journey. Read the Joshua 17 daily devotional to learn to fight for what you want.
Are we like the tribes who delayed their inheritance, or do we actively pursue the fullness of God’s blessings in our lives? Dive into Joshua 18 to explore the ongoing struggle between divine promise and human reluctance, and discover how it applies to our own commitment to fulfilling God’s plans.
Joshua 18 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Joshua 18, more of the Promised Land is allotted, but it is not easy. Do you give up to early or stop fighting for what God has in store for you? Please read or listen to Joshua 18.
What Is the Sermon on Joshua 18:3?
In 1995, I wrote, “‘How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?’ (v. 3 NKJV). Do a survey of the land, walk through it, then go possess it.”
Nine years later, in 2004, I read Joshua 18 and 19 on the same day and wrote, “Seven tribes had not possessed their inheritance yet. Joshua asks them, ‘How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?’ (v. 3 NASB). We are the same, God has given us blessings but we won’t possess them. Why? Because we are lazy, fearful, not directed, complacent, not willing to fight for our portion. This includes reading God’s Word, a treasure God has given us, but it takes effort to possess it.”
Nine more years later, in 2013, I read Joshua 18 and wrote, “People are people. They don’t always follow leaders. Joshua and Moses had instructed them to possess the land God had given them. But they refuse. They compromise, get comfortable with half a loaf, and do not complete the job. Joshua urges them again to get on with it and finish. There is more of God’s blessings if we just keep going, complete the task at hand, and possess the land He has given us. But compromise causes problems later. We settle for only part of what God has in store for us.”
Joshua 18 is much like chapters 16 and 17 and other chapters in the Book of Joshua. Verses 2 and 3, “There remained among the people of Israel seven tribes whose inheritance had not yet been apportioned. So Joshua said to the people of Israel, ‘How long will you put off going in to take possession of the land, which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?’”
What Was God’s Message to Joshua?
It has been the same story for several chapters now, so Joshua puts a plan in place. Verse 4, “Provide three men from each tribe, and I will send them out that they may set out and go up and down the land. They shall write a description of it with a view to their inheritances, and then come to me.” Verses 8-10 say, “So the men arose and went . . . Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh, and Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord. And there Joshua apportioned the land to the people of Israel, to each his portion.” Back in Joshua 13:1, “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years”. I think at this point, he is even older and more advanced in years. He just wants to get this job done, so he is going to do his part. He is going to apportion the land as instructed by Moses and instructed by God whether they possess it or not.
What Is the Meaning of Joshua 18?
An application from Joshua 18 is just that. We need to do what God has asked us to do. We may not necessarily be able to control what others do, but we need to finish what God has asked us to complete. It was probably frustrating to Joshua. Often, it is frustrating to us. The blessings of God are out there, but we are just not interested in going and getting them. But do not let others stop you from getting God’s blessings. You and I must not be deterred by the lack of effort from others. We must finish the tasks God has put before us.
Prayer
Father, thank You for this lesson in Joshua 18. Thank You for reminding us not to get deterred or delayed by those around us who may not be willing to go forward. Help us be like Joshua, someone You can count on to get the job done. And Lord, we ask for Your blessings as we go. Amen.
