Joshua 13:7 - Meaning and Application

Here we have God giving Joshua instructions to divide this land among the tribes, including the part that was still not fully conquered (Joshua 13:7). Joshua seems to have thought that all the land had to be taken before any of it could be divided. But God says, in effect, “There is enough already conquered for now. Divide this land, make the best use of it, and wait for the rest later.” We should learn to enjoy what we do have, even when we cannot have everything we want.

The land had to be divided among the tribes, and they were not to keep living as one common body forever. However property is rightly gained, it is God’s will that people should have clear ownership, know what belongs to them, and not take what belongs to others. The world is to be governed by justice, not force, and by fairness, not arms.

The land was to be divided as an inheritance, even though they had won it by conquest. First, the promise of the land came to them as an inheritance from their fathers. The land of promise belonged to the children of promise, who were loved because of their fathers and because God kept his covenant with them. Second, they were to pass it on to their children as an inheritance. What is gained by force is often lost quickly, but Israel had a sure claim to this land by God’s gift, so they could trust that he would keep this mercy for thousands of generations.

Joshua was not to divide the land by his own choice. Even though he was wise, fair, and good, it was not left to him to give each tribe whatever he wanted. He had to do it by lot, which placed the matter entirely in God’s hands, since God sets the boundaries of where people live and decides each person’s portion. Joshua still had to lead this process, make sure the lot was drawn fairly, and see that each tribe accepted it. The lot puts an end to disputes (Proverbs 18:18), but if any disagreement did arise, Joshua’s wisdom and authority would settle it.

Joshua also had the honor of dividing the land because he had done the hard work of conquering it. When each tribe received its share through him, they would better feel how much they owed him. It must have been a great joy for a man like Joshua, who cared so deeply for the people, to see them enjoying the results of his labor. It also pointed forward to Christ, who has conquered the gates of hell for us and opened the gates of heaven, and who will in time bring all believers into their eternal inheritance.

The chapter then gives an account of the land already given on the other side of the Jordan to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This is included for several reasons. First, it explains why the land west of Jordan was to be divided among only nine tribes and a half, since the other two and a half had already been provided for. Second, it gives Joshua a model to follow, since he had seen Moses divide that land. Moses had done it with the wisdom God gave him, while Joshua was to divide the present land by lot. Third, it urges Joshua to move quickly, so the nine tribes and a half would not be kept out of their inheritance any longer than necessary, since their brothers were already settled. God, as the Father of all of them, would not want such unequal treatment among his children.

The account then gives the details of that eastern land. The text repeats that Moses gave it to them, and that Joshua confirmed what Moses had done (Joshua 13:8). This shows that Joshua did not, under any pretense, try to change it. Moses had settled the matter, and it would remain as he settled it, because Moses was the servant of the Lord and acted under God’s direction.

We are told how the borders of this land were fixed, separating Israel from the surrounding nations (Joshua 13:9, etc.). Israel had to know what belonged to them and stay within it. They were not to use their status as God’s chosen people as a reason to invade their neighbors’ land and rights, since those neighbors also had a real claim to their property by God’s providence, though not by promise as Israel did. One part of the land was also left unconquered, the territory of the Geshurites and the Maachathites (Joshua 13:13). In Moses’ time, they had not had the time to drive them out of the far-off and less important parts of the country. Later, they had no desire to do so, because they were content with what they already had. In this, we see that people may not be limited by God’s promises, yet still be limited by their own weak faith, prayers, and efforts.

The passage then gives a very careful account of the inheritances of these two tribes and a half, showing how their lands were divided and what cities, towns, villages, and fields belonged to each one. This detailed record was preserved so later generations could better see God’s goodness to their ancestors when they learned what a large and fruitful land, full of famous cities, God had given them. God’s gifts look even better when we see the details. It also helped prevent disputes, because the exact borders of each tribe were set down in this true record. Such matters often cause conflict when boundaries are vague, but this record gave a clear and lasting answer. It likely served Israel well in later times and was often used to settle questions of mine and yours.

The text begins with the inheritance of the tribe of Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn. Though Reuben had lost the honor and authority that belonged to the birthright, it seems he still had the advantage of being served first. Perhaps that was part of why this tribe wanted to settle on that side of the Jordan, since they could not expect the best portion, but they could at least have the first.

Sihon was king of the Amorites, and he ruled this land. He could have kept both his land and his life if he had been friendly and let Israel pass through his territory. But by trying to fight them, he justly brought ruin on himself (Numbers 21:21). The princes of Midian were later killed in another war (Numbers 31:8), yet they are called Sihon’s princes here, and it is said they were struck down with him. That was either because they paid tribute to him or because they joined him against Israel and stood firmly with his cause. His downfall opened the way for theirs soon afterward.

Balaam is mentioned in particular, the man who would have cursed Israel if he could. He was soon paid back for his wicked attempt (Psalm 28:4), because he fell with those who supported him. This had already been recorded before (Numbers 31:8), and it is repeated here because God turned Balaam’s curse into a blessing. That showed God’s power and goodness so clearly that it deserved lasting remembrance (Micah 6:5).

Mount Pisgah was within this tribe’s land. From its top, Moses looked over the land of Canaan on earth and then turned in faith toward his heavenly home. Not far from there, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. The Jordan River separated this tribe from the others, and Deborah mourned that division. She also condemned the way they put private interests ahead of the common good (Judges 5:15, 16).

This tribe also included Heshbon and Sibmah, cities known for rich fields and vineyards. See Isaiah 16:8, 9 and Jeremiah 48:32. Hazael king of Syria badly shook this tribe and Gad as well (2 Kings 10:33). Later, they were carried away into captivity twenty years before the rest of the ten tribes were taken by the king of Assyria (1 Chronicles 5:26).

The lot of the tribe of Gad is described next (Joshua 13:24-28). It lay north of Reuben’s land. The country of Gilead belonged to Gad, the same Gilead known for its healing balm, so much so that it was strange to ask whether there was no balm in Gilead. The cities of Jabesh-Gilead and Ramoth-Gilead, often mentioned in Scripture, were also there. Succoth and Penuel, places we read about in Gideon’s story, were in this tribe. So was the forest called the wood of Ephraim, named after the slaughter Jephthah made there of the Ephraimites, and it was there that Absalom’s rebel army was defeated while David stayed at Mahanaim, one of Gad’s border cities (Joshua 13:26). Sharon, famous for its roses, was in this tribe too. Even the Gadarenes, who loved their pigs more than their Savior, lived within its bounds. They were more like the Girgashites than true Israelites.

The half-tribe of Manasseh is mentioned next (Joshua 13:29-31). Bashan, the kingdom of Og, was part of this inheritance. Bashan was famous for its best timber, especially the oaks of Bashan, and for excellent livestock, such as the bulls and rams of Bashan. This tribe lay north of Gad and stretched to Mount Hermon. Part of Gilead was also in its territory. Mizpeh was there, and Jephthah was one of its honors. Elijah was another, since Thisbe was in this tribe, and that is why he is called the Tishbite. Jair was another notable man from this region. Near the edge of the tribe stood Chorazin, a town honored by Christ’s mighty works, yet ruined by his righteous warning because it did not make use of them.

Twice in this chapter it is noted that Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi (Joshua 13:14, 33), because God had ordered it so (Numbers 18:20). If Levi had been given one whole territory of its own, Moses would have settled that matter first, not because it was his own tribe, but because it belonged to God. Instead, they were to be provided for in another way. Their homes were to be spread among all the tribes, and their support was to come from all the tribes. God himself was their portion, both of their inheritance and of their cup (Deuteronomy 10:9; Deuteronomy 18:2).