Joshua 15:20-18:1
As we go through these chapters, outlining to us the possessions of each tribe, how often we read words like these, “The children of Judah could not drive them out,” and “they drove not out the Canaanites.” These are sad reminders that, although God had given them large possessions, they did not dwell in the full extent of them. And how often we have to confess that a similar remark could be made about us, as to our spiritual possessions. We have not had the energy of faith to get rid of some of those little things in our lives that are a hindrance to blessing, and so we, like the children of Israel, have settled down in our self-limited circle. But we cannot stand still, for if there is not spiritual progress we soon begin to lose what we have. This is exactly what happened with the children of Israel, for as soon as the fresh energy which was first seen, began to wane, then the enemy began to narrow down their portion still more.
The Lord delights to record the devotedness manifested in the lives of His people, and it is touching to find the daughters of Zelophehad brought before us again, as they were on two occasions in the book of Numbers. Not having any brothers, they valued the inheritance of their father, and asked that it might be given to them. One feels this brings before us the devotedness of many young women today, who would rather suffer than give up their spiritual inheritance. They value it, and God has been pleased to show us that He values their desire after His things.
When the children of Joseph received their portion, they were not satisfied. They said that since they were such a great people they ought to have more land, and so Joshua told them that since they were so great they could go up to the wood country and clear the land. The children of Joseph then said that the Canaanites who dwelt in the valley had chariots of iron, but Joshua told them that if they wished more, they could have it, but they would have to clear more land and drive out more iron chariots. No doubt there is a lesson here for us. Sometimes we feel that if we only had the portion in life of some other person we would be much better off, and much happier, but this is a great mistake. The Lord has put us where He wants us, and where we can honor Him the most. There may be many “trees” to cut down, and a great deal of land to be “cleared” in the place He has put us, but He will give us the strength for this. He will help us to drive out the “chariots of iron,” and enlarge our coast abundantly, if we look to Him, but let us not seek an easy path through this world. Our blessed Lord and Master did not have an easy path, and should we expect one? Let us remember the exhortation to Timothy, “Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” 2 Timothy 1:8.
We now come to a very important point in connection with the possession of the land. The Lord had told the people that He would choose a place out of all their tribes where He would place His Name, and that this was to be the place where they were to offer their sacrifices and rejoice before Him. (Deut. 12: 11-14.) This place was Shiloh at the first (Jeremiah 7: 12), and so the whole congregation, in the freshness of their energy for the Lord, assembled there and set up the tabernacle.
ML 05/24/1953