DBG - March 17 - Joshua 16-18

In this chapter we have the allotment of territory for Ephraim.

vs. 1-4 – Here is described the territory given to the two tribes descended from Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh.  Manasseh of course had half its tribe claim land east of Jordan.  This allotment will be for the half that will settle west of Jordan.

vs. 5-10 – The description of the land allotted to Ephraim.

In this chapter we have the allotment for the half tribe of Manasseh.

vs. 1-6 – Ten families of Manasseh are listed as receiving allotments west of Jordan, including the 5 daughters of Zelophehad from Numbers 27.

vs. 7-13 – The description of the allotment for the half tribe of Manasseh west of Jordan.

vs. 14-18 – Manasseh complains about their allotment, claiming it was too small.  Joshua reminds them they can take more if they will just drive out the remaining Canaanite peoples.  The people are unwilling to do so.  Some people would rather complain than solve a problem.

In this chapter we see the remaining tribes pressed to receive their allotments and the allotment for Benjamin.

vs. 1 – The Tabernacle is placed at Shiloh.  This will be the place of centralized worship for the nation for over 300 years until the Ark is taken and the Tabernacle is attacked by the Philistines in I Samuel 4:11 (this is not explicitly stated but there is sufficient evidence for it).

vs. 2-10 – The remaining seven tribes that have not received their allotment seem satisfied with the status quo and are not enthusiastic about receiving their inheritance.  Joshua has to prod them to action.

vs. 11-28 – The description of the allotment for Benjamin.

Have you noted a couple of recurring themes in these chapter concerning the allotment of land?  First, that the people are wearied of war after seven years of battles.  Second, that pockets of Canaanites still dwelt in the land.  The failure to completely drive out the Canaanites will cause great heartaches in the coming centuries.  It is so with us also when we grow complacent and allow sin to dwell in our hearts and minds.  Succumbing to weariness and complacency so often robs us of spiritual victory.

Our hymn today was written by John Kent and appeared in 1810 under the title “Indwelling Sin; or, the Canaanite still in the Lands”.  It warns us to fully drive out the sin in our own hearts.

The Canaanites still in the land,
To harass, perplex, and dismay,
Brought Israel of old at a stand,
For Anak was stronger than they.
What God had designed they possessed,
Supported and kept by his hand;
Yet, lest on their lees they should rest,
The Canaanites dwelt in the land.

’Tis thus with the Israel on earth,
Who groan with a body of sin,
Partake of a spiritual birth,
The work of God’s Spirit within;
Today, with a taste of his love,
Jehovah their souls will expand,
Tomorrow he’ll give them to prove
The Canaanites still in the land.

Corruptions like vapours shall rise;
Light, love, and delight shall be gone;
The sun shall be dark in the skies,
And hell, with its legions, come on;
Yet all things shall work for their good,
Afflictions, temptations, or pain;
And still, through the Lamb and his blood
Their cause they shall ever maintain.

Like Gad, by a troop overcome,
They fall, through the workings of sin;
Yet glory they not in their shame,
But mourn their defilement within.
On Zion’s bright summit above,
Victorious at last they shall stand,
Though now for a season they prove
The Canaanites still in the land.

A thorn in the flesh they shall have,
Their roving affections to win,
To teach them how Jesus can save,
And show them the depth of their sin;
Yea, down to the Jordan of death,
His foes shall the Christian withstand,
And feel, when resigning his breath,
The Canaanites still in the land.

To them he his oath shall fulfil,
A poor, little, faint-hearted band;
For ’tis of their Father’s good will
The Canaanites dwell in the land.
Their place of repose is on high,
No Canaanite enters therein,
To drink of the rivers of joy,
Remote from the regions of sin.