Joshua

Joshua 19: God finishes giving the tribes land

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the final allotments, please remember God's sworn promise of land to Abraham, Isaac and Israel's offspring. Let us ask Him to help our family hear His faithfulness in these names and seek the lasting inheritance found in Christ.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the sky, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’”

Exodus 32:13

Faithful God, open our eyes as we hear of the remaining tribes and Joshua receiving land. Show us Christ and the lasting home He gives His people. Make us more like Jesus in thankful service. Please bless our family as we worship together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Simeon receives an inheritance within Judah because Judah's portion is too much for them. Lots come out for Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan, with borders, cities and villages recorded. Dan fights against Leshem, takes it, lives there and calls it Dan after its forefather. After the land is distributed, Israel gives Joshua Timnathserah as the LORD commanded. Joshua builds the city and lives there. The leaders finish dividing the land by lot before the LORD at Shiloh.

As you read Joshua 19, look for the answers:

• Why is Simeon's inheritance within Judah? (verse 9)
• What city does Joshua receive, and according to whose commandment? (verses 49 and 50)
• Where and before whom do the leaders divide the land? (verse 51)

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives the last tribes their land by lot, and Joshua receives his city last.

After Benjamin, the second lot came out for Simeon, whose land lay in the middle of Judah's (verses 1 and 9). Then the lots came out for Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan, with their borders, cities and villages (verses 10 to 48). Dan went up, fought against Leshem, took it, lived there, and called it Dan after their forefather (verse 47). After the land was distributed, the people gave Joshua the city he asked for, Timnathserah in Ephraim (verses 49 and 50). They gave it according to the commandment of the LORD, and Joshua built the city and lived there (verse 50). Joshua had led Israel into the land, and he received his own portion only after the tribes had theirs (verses 49 and 50). The leaders divided it by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the Tent of Meeting (verse 51). So they finished dividing the land (verse 51).

How does Joshua 19 show us that the LORD gives the last tribes their land by lot, and that Joshua receives his city last?

The remaining tribes receive land by lot.

After Benjamin, the lots came out for Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali and Dan (verses 1, 10, 17, 24, 32 and 40). Simeon's land lay inside Judah's, because Judah's share was too much for them (verses 1 and 9). The chapter records each tribe's borders, cities and villages (verses 1 to 48). Please read the names aloud without explaining each place.

Joshua receives his city after the land is distributed.

The people gave Joshua the city he asked for, Timnathserah in the hill country of Ephraim (verses 49 and 50). They gave it according to the commandment of the LORD (verse 50). Joshua built the city and lived there (verse 50). He received it after the tribes had their land.

The leaders finish dividing the land before the LORD.

Eleazar, Joshua and the heads of the tribes distributed the land by lot (verse 51). They did it in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the Tent of Meeting (verse 51). So they finished dividing the land (verse 51). Jesus told His disciples that He goes to prepare a place for them (John 14 verses 2 and 3).

Memorise

So they finished distributing the land for inheritance by its borders. The children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them.

Joshua 19:49

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I treasure more than the lasting home Jesus gives believers?

Joshua received his own city last, after every tribe had its land. The land was divided by lot before the LORD, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Jesus said that He goes to prepare a place for His people in His Father's house (John 14 verses 2 and 3).

No sinner can earn a place with God. Jesus died for His people at the cross by His own death, so that nothing is missing from their welcome. On the third day He rose.

So do not hold on to the things of this earth. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. He forgives all who trust Him, and He gives them a place with God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave every tribe its land by lot, and that Jesus prepares a place for His people. 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

Please thank God for bringing the division of the land to its end. Ask Him to show us what we treasure above Jesus, and invite the children to pray as they wish.

Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.

Psalm 121:8

Lord God, thank You for providing for these tribes and for Joshua. Please help our family seek the lasting home found in Jesus. Turn our hearts from earthly things we love too much. Bring us to repentance and faith, and teach us to serve You with gratitude. Amen.