Sunday: Tribes East of the Jordan: Joshua 13:8-33
The dividing of the land among the twelve tribes was a deep spiritual experience for the Israelites. It fulfilled God’s promise concerning the land and inspired hope for a greater fulfillment of the peace they now enjoyed. God has promised every faithful believer the everlasting kingdom of God. (Psalms 16:6; Matthew 5:3-10; Ephesians 5:5)
Monday: Caleb’s Inheritance: Joshua 14:1-15
Caleb remained faithful to God and received fully His promised inheritance. Caleb had a living hope because of his faith. His life illustrates the believer’s faithfulness and acceptance of the Father’s promise under the new covenant. (Numbers 14:24; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 6:12).
Tuesday: Allotment for Judah: Joshua 15:1-63
Had the people chosen their inheritance, there no doubt would have been competition and conflict: but the Lord assigned the territory, and the tribes submitted to His will. Whenever you envy another’s achievements or abilities, you are forgetting that everything belongs to God. We should not complain to God because of what we are not but praise Him for what we are. We must accept whatever inheritance He grants us. (Psalms 47:4; Psalms 16:5; 1 Corinthians 4:7; John 3:27)
Wednesday: Allotment for Joseph: Joshua 16:1-17:18
Joseph had kept the family alive during seven years of famine, and his descendants reaped the benefits. They were wealthy because of Joseph’s faith and love and Jacob’s special blessing. We must not live only on what our ancestors have provided. We must also claim an inheritance for ourselves and our children. (Genesis 48; James 4:2)
Thursday: Allotment for Benjamin: Joshua 18:1-28
Since it was centrally located, Shiloh was the ideal place for the tabernacle. During the years of Israel’s wanderings, the tabernacle was in the center of the camp. Now it was at the center of the land, accessible to all and a reminder that the fear of God must be at the heart of the nation. (Exodus 25:8; 27:21; 34:26)
Friday: Simeon, Zebulun & Issachar: Joshua 19:1-23
Simeon’s inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. It seems that Judah’s land was so large that the tribe could not occupy its portion, so some was assigned to Simeon. This is a fulfillment of Jacob’s prophetic word concerning Simeon. (Genesis 49:7)
Saturday: Asher, Naphtali, Dan & Joshua: Joshua 19:24-51
Joshua saw to it that the distribution to the tribes was completed before he received his own inheritance. Joshua put others first and let them take the best. (l Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1-4)