What practical steps can we take to "describe the land" God gives us? Setting the Scene: Joshua 18:4 “Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to go and survey the land, describing it according to their inheritance, and then they shall return to me.” Why “Describe the Land” Still Matters God had already promised Israel the whole territory, yet He asked them to walk through it, measure it, and write it down. In the same way, believers today receive spiritual territory in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), but we still have to identify, understand, and steward it. Practical Steps for Describing the Land God Gives Us • Get Moving – Israel’s men physically walked the boundaries; passivity wasn’t an option (Joshua 18:8). – Action for us: schedule intentional time to review our lives—family, work, ministry, finances—asking, “Where has God already planted me?” • Survey Thoroughly – They “surveyed” (literally “walked through”) every part of the land (Joshua 18:9). – Action for us: list every sphere of influence and responsibility—home, church, neighborhood, online presence. Don’t leave blind spots. • Record in Writing – “They described it in writing” (Joshua 18:9). – Action for us: journal, map, or create a simple document. Putting blessings, challenges, and goals on paper clarifies what God has entrusted to us (Habakkuk 2:2). • Use Objective Measures – The men measured distance and borders, giving precise detail. – Action for us: attach real numbers and dates to our stewardship—budget lines, hours served, talents employed (Luke 14:28). • Return and Report – They brought the description back to Joshua at Shiloh (Joshua 18:9). – Action for us: share discoveries with a trusted mentor or small group. Accountability refines perception and encourages faithfulness (Proverbs 27:17). • Submit to God’s Allocation – Joshua “cast lots” before the Lord for final apportioning (Joshua 18:10). – Action for us: after we describe, surrender plans to God’s sovereignty (Proverbs 16:9). Allow Him to adjust boundaries and timing. • Act on the Description – Once each tribe saw its parcel, it moved in to possess it (Joshua 19). – Action for us: turn written observations into step-by-step obedience—serve a neighbor, start a study group, set new giving goals. Guardrails While We Survey • Stay Anchored in Scripture—God’s Word defines inheritance; feelings don’t (Psalm 119:11). • Avoid Comparison—each tribe’s land differed; contentment protects unity (Philippians 4:11-13). • Keep Faith Front-and-Center—Israel walked through Canaan believing God’s promise; we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Encouragement from Other Passages • Numbers 13:17-20—Moses told the spies to observe fruitfulness and fortifications; thorough observation honors God. • Proverbs 27:23—“Know well the condition of your flocks” underscores diligent stewardship. • Colossians 3:17—Whatever we do in word or deed, we do in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking the Father through Him. Describing the land is more than a mapping exercise; it is an act of faith that recognizes God’s gifts, clarifies our responsibilities, and positions us to advance in obedience. |
    |