Joshua
13:1, 6 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… I myself
will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to
Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you.”
This chapter is a dividing point in the book of Joshua. Israel
as they move from a people fighting for the land to a people living in the
land. Joshua’s job now is no longer to point to future blessing but to teach
proper life style for those who possess the blessing.
Before that can happen, the
land must be divided among the tribes and settled. The remaining areas to be
conquered will be the work of God himself. But for now, the Land of Promise
will be shared with the inhabitants of the land.
After the aged Joshua passes
from the scene, new leadership will be needed to rid Israel of the menace of
the remaining peoples to the north, west and south. God will choose that
leader.
Joshua is the leader who did
just what Moses said and just what Moses did. As a result, he experienced the
divine presence just as Moses had. Now Joshua will divide the Promised Land
among the people to whom Moses had promised. God is seen as having been with
Joshua.
Joshua is shown to be the leader with
conviction and courage. He serves as an example to all generations of the
rewards of obedience to God and his chosen leader.
The theological lesson from
this chapter calls us to obedient, courageous leadership for the tasks of life
ahead, while maintaining encouragement on the basis of the past faithfulness of
God.
