Joshua 13.
THE land as a whole was now conquered; the kings of the south had been subdued and put to death with their people; in the north, Joshua had made slower progress, and it seems clear that some of the former inhabitants having fled from the country, had returned and settled down again. It is now a question of the faith of the individual members of the elect nation, whether the remaining enemies be dispossessed or not: God’s word was given that He would drive them out from, before the children of Israel (verse 6). The land not yet possessed is described according to its boundaries in verses 2 to 6, but the whole inheritance without regard to the presence of enemies is to be divided among the people, now that the enemy’s power is broken. Where there was faithfulness to God, the enemies were driven out finally and completely, and there was rest for the people who thus acted in dependence upon Him.
The latter part of the chapter gives the possessions of the two-and one-half tribes who were satisfied to dwell on the east of the Jordan. It is humbling- to note that (verse 13) they did not expel the Geshurites and the Maachathites, but left them to dwell among them. Trusting in God, they should have driven out every enemy; these remained, a thorn in their side, to tempt with their evil ways, and mingle with them without that separation to God in heart and soul which is the true and only happy portion of His people.
Sorrowfully we find, as we go through the following chapters, that not one of the tribes drove out all the enemies of God; they were content to have them among them, or at least without spiritual energy to be rid of them.
There is another, and a brighter thing for the children of God to consider.; it is the portion of the sons of Levi, whom far back in the sacred volume we found separated to the service of God. Verse 14 declares that there was no inheritance, no parceling out of the land, for Levi’s children, for “the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said unto them,” and verse 33 gives a yet higher and more intimately blessed portion to them the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He said unto them.
Rich indeed, were they, if they lived in the power of these elevating terms. Lands stretching as far as the eye could see, and cattle great in number, were little in value when compared with a close, an intimate association with the God of Israel. As they lived in the power of these things, the hearts of the Levites were surely detached from earth, to look upward to Him who was their inheritance. He would provide for their needs, while at the same time occupying them with Himself and engaging them in His service.
This is the most elevated path of faith. Christian, are you seeking to walk in it? What matter the broad fields, the flocks and herds, in the light of eternity? Christ must fill your heart, or you will never be really resting in His love here.
ML 08/23/1925