March 13, 2015
Joshua 18-Part 1
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you? Joshua 18:3
LET IT GLOW
Go, get up, move it. Aren't there times that we would rather just stay home, stay put, stay in our own little world, stay out of other people's business? Yet there are times that God wants us to go for Him to someone who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus, who needs hope and encouragement, who needs the Word. God wants to bless us by using us to help meet the needs of others. How can we if we won't go, get up, or move it? (Myself is included.)
Some of Israel's tribes became slothful, slack in going and possessing their Promised Land. What was the hold up?
Yes, it was time to move it, move on. At least seven years had passed since Israel miraculously crossed the Jordan River. Their first camp was at Gilgal, though I don't know for how long. So far, five tribes have received their inheritance and moved there. Of course, the Levites received no land, but certain cities. The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and 1/2 tribe of Manasseh received their land east of the Jordan (ch. 13). Caleb got his mountain (ch. 14). Then the tribe of Judah was given their portion of land, which was the largest due to their population being the largest of the tribes (ch. 15). Next, the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, each got their allotment of land (ch. 16-17).
Apparently some time had passed again. The whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered at Shiloh. That is where they set up the tabernacle for worship. It remained at Shiloh for 300 years, until the Philistines destroyed the city and captured the Ark of the Covenant. (It was due to Israel's sins and Priest Eli's sons made a mockery of the priesthood and conducted sinful activity in the tabernacle.)(1 Sam. 4-5) Later, in Jeremiah's time, God used Shiloh as an example of judgment (ch. 7).
We are not told who called the meeting at Shiloh, but the whole congregation came. This is similar to the "of one accord" expressions in Acts 2:1, 46, where the church assembled in a spirit of unity. (Falwell)
Shiloh never lived up to its reputation as Israel's religious center, for later references in the Bible point to the wickedness and idolatry in the city (Ps. 78:56-60; Jeremiah 7:12-15). (Live Application Study Bible)
Shiloh was located about 9 miles north of Bethel and 20 miles north of Jerusalem. (MacArthur)
Are we ready to move whenever God tells us it is time to move?
LET IT GROW
Joshua asked Israel: How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?
The word slack means be still, idle, slothful, according to Strong's Concordance.
Why were the 7 tribes slack? Matthew Henry suggests it my have been due to:
- their being too well pleased with their present condition. The spoils of the conquered cities provided them with plenty;
- they were slothful, wishing it done, but not moving to accomplish it;
- because of the distance to their land, they would have to drive their flocks and herds, carry their wives and children to strange places, rebuild or repair the cities, enduring hardships.
So what was Joshua's solution to get these 7 tribes moving again, living in their own land?
- He obtained 21 surveyor scouts. (verse 2-4)
- They formed 7 task forces of 3 men each, which each man bringing back a written report (called describe) in 7 parts, indicating a fair distribution of the remaining land among the remaining tribes. (Falwell)
- Then Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD. (verse 10)
- This project must have taken a while to accomplish, since they had to travel north of Ephraim and south of Judah. (looking at a map)
LET IT GO
Let go of slackness in my life.
Follow Jesus.
Keep unity with God's children.
Go, do, be in His will.
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