Why were seven tribes still without their inheritance in Joshua 18:2? Scripture Focus “Yet seven tribes among the Israelites had not yet received their inheritance.” (Joshua 18:2) Setting the Scene • The tabernacle has just been set up at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). • Two-and-a-half tribes already occupy land east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh; Numbers 32). • West of the Jordan, Judah, Ephraim, and the other half-tribe of Manasseh have their portions (Joshua 15–17). • That leaves Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan still waiting. Why the Delay? • Complacency after initial victories – “The land was subdued before them” (Joshua 18:1), yet the job was not finished; early success bred ease. • Dependence on Joshua’s prompting – Joshua’s rebuke, “How long will you put off…” (Joshua 18:3), shows they were waiting rather than acting. • Lingering pockets of Canaanite resistance – Joshua 17:12-13 notes entrenched enemies; the seven tribes faced similar obstacles and hesitated. • Distraction by military service for other tribes – Until the major campaigns ended, the collective army fought together (Joshua 1:12-15); personal settlement waited. • Unresolved logistics – Land still needed surveying (Joshua 18:4-6). Without clear boundaries, no tribe could claim its portion confidently. Joshua’s Remedy for Inaction • Confronted their apathy (18:3). • Sent three men from each tribe to map the land (18:4-6). • Cast lots “before the LORD” at Shiloh, ensuring divine selection (Numbers 26:55; Proverbs 16:33). • Recorded each allotment in a book (Joshua 18:9), providing permanent, legal clarity. Take-Home Principles • God’s promise is sure, yet His people must actively possess what He gives (Deuteronomy 1:7-8). • Spiritual drift often follows partial victory; vigilance is required (1 Corinthians 10:12). • Clear, God-honoring leadership spurs hesitant hearts into obedience (Hebrews 13:7). • Boundaries and order—set “before the LORD”—guard unity and curb rivalry (Joshua 18:6; 1 Corinthians 14:40). |
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