Today’s reading is admittedly mostly dull passages that mean little to us because even if these cities still exist today, they don’t have the same names; and even if one is familiar with Palestine’s geography, the details of many of the border markers are obscure. As if that weren’t enough, the inheritances of the tribes east of the Jordan River are detailed twice. It leaves us wondering why God has preserved the records of the allotment of the Promised Land in such detail. A couple things come to my mind.
- These accounts make it clear that God has given that land to the Israelites and cares that they possess what He has given them. People inclined to dispute that cannot claim that it doesn’t matter, because God obviously cared enough about the smallest details of the inheritances to make sure they were recorded and preserved. As creator and sustainer of the land, He rightfully determines who possesses it. In addition to designating Israel as possessor, He fought for them in order to make their possession possible.
- The details confirm God’s faithfulness to His promises. Giving the details is a much more effective way to convey that than to state simply that the tribes all received their inheritances.
So hopefully we can appreciate the details for what they convey, even though we may not enjoy reading them.
Caleb had to ask Joshua for the special consideration he was promised. Let us not neglect the lesson we are continually given about the necessity for asking for what we are promised. If we don’t ask, we won’t receive what has been promised. If we expect otherwise, we are taking the promises and the One who promised them for granted.
Caleb didn’t ask for a safe inheritance; he requested a portion that still had to be taken – from those giants, no less. He wasn’t defeated by the prospect of them when he was in his prime, and now that he was 85 years old and confronted with them in the flesh, he was still not defeated. Not only did he request a portion of land that had to be wrested from the giants, he didn’t ask for help from the nation’s or tribe’s army to get them out. Even at 85, he intended to be used by God and was ready to take on giants. He is a true hero of the faith, a worthy example for us to set before ourselves. What giants in your life need to be defeated? Caleb’s example shows that it is never too late in life to take them on, with God’s help. Could you give your example for the encouragement of future generations?
Judah’s inheritance listed here was 101 cities, which is a lot more cities that was recorded in the account of the conquest. The book of Joshua records the conquest as if it were a simple matter, but there was obviously a lot more to it than his overview described.