Joshua

Joshua 18: Joshua divides land before the LORD

Begin in prayer

Before the reading takes us to Shiloh, let us seek God in prayer. He gave Israel the land, and Joshua divided it before Him. Ask Him to help us attend to His Word and see our need for Jesus.

Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8

Lord God, please open our eyes as Israel gathers before You at Shiloh. Teach us to listen to Your Word and show us Jesus. Make us more like Him, ready to obey You. Bless our family and keep us from neglecting what You say. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The whole congregation assembles at Shiloh and sets up the Tent of Meeting, with the land subdued before them. Seven tribes have not yet divided their inheritance. Joshua asks how long they will neglect to possess the land God has given. Men survey the land by cities in seven portions and return with the description in a book. Joshua casts lots before the LORD, and Benjamin receives its portion between Judah and Joseph. Its borders, cities and villages are listed.

As you read Joshua 18, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives Israel the land, and Joshua divides it by lot before the LORD.

All Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there, and the land was subdued before them (verse 1). God had told Moses to make a sanctuary so that He might dwell among them (Exodus 25 verse 8). Seven tribes had not yet divided their inheritance (verse 2). Joshua asked how long they would neglect to possess the land that the LORD, the God of their fathers, had given them (verse 3). He told each tribe to appoint three men to walk through the land and describe it in seven portions (verses 4 to 6). The men surveyed the land by cities in a book and came back to Joshua at Shiloh (verse 9). Joshua cast lots for them before the LORD, and divided the land among the tribes (verse 10). The Levites had no portion, because the priesthood of the LORD was their inheritance (verse 7). The first lot went to Benjamin, between Judah and Joseph (verse 11).

How does Joshua 18 show us that God gives Israel the land, and Joshua divides it by lot before the LORD?

Israel sets up the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh.

The whole congregation gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting (verse 1). God had told Moses to make a sanctuary so that He might dwell among them (Exodus 25 verse 8). Christ came as high priest through the greater and more perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 9 verse 11).

Joshua asks how long Israel will neglect to possess the land.

Seven tribes had not yet divided their inheritance (verse 2). Joshua asked how long they would neglect to go in and possess the land the LORD had given them (verse 3). He told them to appoint three men from each tribe to walk through the land and describe it (verse 4). The men surveyed it in seven portions in a book (verse 9).

Joshua casts lots before the LORD and divides the land.

Joshua cast lots for the seven tribes before the LORD in Shiloh (verse 10). There he divided the land among the children of Israel according to their divisions (verse 10). The lot of Benjamin came up first, between Judah and Joseph (verse 11). The Levites had no portion, for the priesthood of the LORD was their inheritance (verse 7).

Memorise

Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh.

Joshua 18:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how am I neglecting God's call to come to Jesus?

Seven tribes had not yet possessed the land the LORD had given them, and Joshua asked how long they would wait. Then Joshua cast lots before the LORD, and each tribe received its portion. Jesus is the great high priest who came through the greater and more perfect tabernacle (Hebrews 9 verse 11).

He came to give sinners what they cannot take for themselves, a place with God. At the cross He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself for His people (Hebrews 9 verse 26). All His people need has been done. On the third day God raised Him.

Hebrews 2 verse 3 warns us not to neglect so great a salvation. So turn from your sin and come to Jesus today. Those who trust Him will be forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave Israel the land, and that Jesus is the great high priest. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Thank God for giving Israel the land and having it divided before Him. Please pray about neglecting His call to Christ, and let each child who wishes to pray have a turn.

For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 11:10

Lord God, thank You that Israel received land before You at Shiloh. Forgive our neglect of Your Word. Please move us to seek Jesus and trust His saving work. Give our family hearts that hear You gladly, and teach believers among us to obey with thanks. Amen.