Joshua 14:1-5 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest… This record of the division of the land among the tribes is suggestive of principles that are capable of a wider and more general application, and also of one that is narrower and more individual. Note - I. THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE THAT DETERMINES THE SPHERE AND SURROUNDINGS OF ALL HUMAN LIFE. This is indicated in the division being made by lot. Whatever the form of the lot may have been, its meaning was that the destination of each particular tribe should not be a matter of human judgment or caprice, but should be left with God. It was no mere reference of the issue to blind chance. The faith of the age was too simple and real for that. Joshua and the elders had too deep a sense of the presence and guidance of the living God. We pass from this mere tribal allocation to think how the same law holds good for all the nations of the world. St. Paul showed his freedom of spirit from the limitations of Jewish prejudice when he declared to the Athenians how God, having made of one blood all nations to dwell on all the face of the earth, "determined for them the times before appointed and the bounds of theft habitation" (Acts 17:26). Christianity reveals a God who is the Father of all mankind, and not of one particular people. The true patriotism is that which acknowleges God's interest alike in all the nations, and teaches us to cherish and use the gifts He has conferred specially on our own country for the common good. Again: the Providence that determines the lot of the nations has the same control over the individual human life. Every man's position in the world is in some sense the fulfilment of a Divine purpose. It may seem to be the result merely of the fortuitous commingling of circumstance, or the capricious drift of man's own choice. But we do well to see through all outward appearances the sovereign hand that guides the course of circumstances and determines the issue. It is God, after all, who chooses our inheritance for us. "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Proverbs 16:33). The recognition of the Divine Providence that is over us has many beneficial moral effects. (1) It gives the sanctity of a higher meaning to life, (2) provokes to thankfulness, (3) rebukes discontent and distrust, (4) restrains inordinate ambition, (5) teaches that respect for the rights and interests of others on which the order and well being of society depend. II. THE HUMAN AGENCY BY WHICH THE PURPOSE OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IS FULFILLED. The land is divided according to the will of God, but the people must go in and possess it for themselves. God will drive out the Canaanites that are still there, not without them, but "from before them" (Joshua 13:6). The decision of the lot seems to have had reference only to the general local situation of the tribes; the actual extent of the territory in each ease was left to be determined by the discretion of Joshua and the leaders. There was no caprice in this Divine decision. Nothing God does is arbitrary or reasonless. It was, no doubt, determined according to the peculiar characteristics of each particular tribe, and in such a way as that its geographical conditions should be best fitted to develop its latent powers. Important practical lessons are suggested. (1) However devoutly we may recognise the Divine Providence that is over us, we have to determine for ourselves the path of duty. (2) The circumstances of life place possibilities of good within our reach, which it remains for ourselves to actualise. (3) Every man's life in this world supplies the needful conditions of moral education, if he have but wisdom to discern and skill to improve them. III. THE SEPARATENESS OF THOSE WHO ARE SPECIALLY DEVOTED TO SPIRITUAL WORK IN THE WORLD. This is indicated by the peculiar position of the tribe of Levi. To them was given no inheritance, "save cities to dwell in with their suburbs" "The sacrifices of the Lord God made by fire" (as also tithes and first fruits) "were their inheritance" (Joshua 13:14). "The Lord God of Israel Himself was the lot of their inheritance" (Joshua 13:33; Numbers 18:20-24). Their position thus bore witness to the sanctity of the whole nation as "a kingdom of priests" unto the Lord (Exodus 19:6). They were the representatives of its faith and the ministers of its worship. And their representative character was made the more effective by the fact of their cities being scattered throughout the tribes (ch. 21.). This principle of separateness is illustrated - (1) In the various provisions by which the sanctity of the priesthood was maintained under the economy of the law. (2) In the New Testament institution of a certain order of men who should be set apart - not, indeed, as a hierarchy to whom mystic powers belong, but as the ministers of spiritual instruction and edification to the Church of God (Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13; 1 Corinthians 9:13, 14). (3) In the Apostolic teaching as to the unworldliness of spirit and life that becomes the followers of Christ (Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1, 2, 3; Hebrews 10:34; 1 Peter 2:9). - W. Parallel Verses KJV: And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. |
    |