Joshua 18:2 - Meaning and Application

Joshua rebukes these tribes for not taking steps to settle in the land God had already given them. Seven tribes still had no land of their own, though they were sure an inheritance would be theirs someday. Yet they did not seem troubled by the delay, and Joshua asks them, “How long will you be slow to go in and take possession?” (Joshua 18:3).

They were too content with their present situation. They seemed to enjoy living together in one large group and did not want to spread out into separate homes. The plunder from the cities they had already captured kept them supplied for the moment, so they stopped thinking about the future. Even if Judah and Joseph, the tribes already settled near Shiloh, were generous hosts to their brothers, that comfort may have made the others careless about finding homes of their own.

They were also lazy and slow to act. They may have wanted the land, but they did not have the energy to move toward it, even though it was for their own good. Like the sluggard who keeps his hand in his lap and is tired of lifting it back to his mouth, they let effort stand in the way of gain. The remaining land was farther away, and some of it was still held by the Canaanites. If the tribes moved in, they would need to rebuild cities, move their families and animals, and face hardship. But people who keep waiting for conditions to be perfect often do nothing at all (Ecclesiastes 11:4).

Many people are kept from real duty, and from real joy, by things that only seem difficult. God has given believers a right to the better country, the heavenly Canaan, but we are often slow to take hold of it by faith and holy joy. We do not live with our hearts in heaven as we should, setting our minds on things above. How long will we keep standing in our own way and turn from our own blessings to empty things?

Joshua understood the danger of their delay. While they failed to take possession of what had already been conquered, the Canaanites were regaining strength and building up their defenses. If Israel did not press forward, they would lose the advantage they already had. So Joshua urges them on, like an eagle stirring up its nest, to go and claim their inheritance. He was ready to do his part if they would do theirs.

Joshua also shows them how to settle the land. First, the remaining land had to be surveyed, with its cities and surrounding territories carefully recorded (Joshua 18:4). Then it was to be divided into seven equal parts, as fairly as possible, with the value of the land considered, not just the number of cities or the size of the territory. Judah was fixed on the south side of Shiloh, and Joseph on the north, to protect the tabernacle (Joshua 18:5). So they only needed to map the land that had not yet been assigned. Joshua says it should be divided into seven parts because the Levites were not to receive a normal share of land. Their inheritance was the priesthood of the Lord, a high and satisfying portion indeed. Gad and Reuben, along with half the tribe of Manasseh, were already settled and needed no further provision.

Three men from each of the seven tribes were chosen as surveyors, twenty-one in all (Joshua 18:4). They may have divided into three groups so the work could be done more quickly, since they had already lost time. Each tribe was represented in each group, so the matter would be handled fairly, with no hint of favoritism or suspicion. The survey was completed and brought back to Joshua (Joshua 18:8-9). Josephus says it took seven months.

In this we see the faith and courage of those men. Many Canaanites still lived in the land, and they were angry toward Israel like a bear robbed of her cubs. Word of the survey would soon spread, and the men could have been ambushed and killed. Yet they obeyed Joshua and trusted God’s power, putting their lives at risk for the good of their people. We also see God’s good care in bringing them safely back to the camp at Shiloh. When we are doing what God has called us to do, we are under his special protection.

After the land was surveyed and divided into seven portions, Joshua would determine by lot which tribe should receive which portion, with God’s direction (Joshua 18:6). He would cast the lots before the Lord at the tabernacle, because this was a sacred act. Each tribe was to look to God, receiving its share with thankfulness for what was pleasant and submission to what was not. What we have in this world belongs to God, and we should handle it before him with fairness, generosity, and trust in his care.

The heavenly Canaan is also set before us in the Scriptures, where there are enough homes and portions for all God’s people. Christ is our Joshua, the one who divides that inheritance among us. We must look to him and ask him for our share among the saints in the light (John 17:2-3).