# Overview Joshua Chapter 18 describes the continued efforts of the #Israelites to occupy the land of #Canaan, as commanded by #God. The chapter begins with the congregation of the Israelites assembling at #Shiloh, where they set up the tent of meeting, signifying #God's presence among them. Despite the land being under Israelite control, seven tribes have yet to receive their allotted inheritance. #Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, urges these tribes to take possession of the land given to them by God. He instructs them to appoint three men from each tribe to survey the land, which is then to be divided into seven parts. The #Levites, however, do not receive a portion of the land because their inheritance is the priesthood, and the tribes of #Gad, #Reuben, and the half-tribe of #Manasseh have already received their inheritance east of the #Jordan River. The chapter highlights the importance of obedience and faith in claiming the promises of God. Once the men complete the survey, they return to #Joshua at Shiloh, where he casts lots before the Lord to distribute the land among the remaining tribes. The casting of lots signifies the divine guidance in the allocation process. The narrative then specifically mentions the territory assigned to the tribe of #Benjamin, detailing its borders and cities. This process underscores the importance of each tribe fulfilling their God-given role and responsibility within the greater plan for Israel. The chapter concludes with the assurance that the Israelites are progressively moving towards the complete realization of God’s promise to #Abraham, as they settle into the land promised to their forefathers. ## Theological Insights Joshua 18 provides significant theological insights into the continued unfolding of God's promise to the #Israelites regarding the inheritance of the #PromisedLand. This chapter underscores the importance of #obedience and #faithfulness to God's commands as the Israelites move forward in claiming the territories allotted to them. The gathering of the entire congregation at #Shiloh (Joshua 18:1) marks a pivotal moment in the establishment of a central place of worship, which is crucial for maintaining the religious and communal identity of the nation. This act of setting up the #Tabernacle signifies God's presence among His people and serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and the covenant made with them. The allocation of the land to the remaining seven tribes (Joshua 18:2-10) highlights the theme of #divine providence. The casting of lots in the presence of the Lord demonstrates God's sovereign control over the distribution of the land, ensuring that each tribe receives its rightful inheritance according to His will. This process reinforces the belief that each tribe's portion is divinely appointed, further emphasizing the Israelites' dependence on God for their future. Moreover, the detailed description of the boundaries for the tribe of #Benjamin (Joshua 18:11-28) reflects the meticulous nature of God's plan and His attention to detail. The allocation of land to Benjamin, which lies between the powerful tribes of #Judah and #Joseph, also indicates a strategic placement by God, showcasing His wisdom in maintaining balance and unity among the tribes. Finally, the chapter serves as a reminder of the necessity for the Israelites to fully possess the land given to them and to live according to God's statutes. The delay in claiming their inheritance (Joshua 18:3) serves as a cautionary note against complacency and highlights the need for active participation in fulfilling God's promises. This encourages believers to remain diligent and proactive in their spiritual journey, trusting in God's promises and actively participating in His divine plan. ## Thematic Connections ### The Promise of Land Fulfillment In [[Joshua/Joshua Chapter 18]], the allotment of the land to the remaining seven tribes of #Israel continues the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the descendants of #Abraham a land of their own. This theme of land inheritance was first declared in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:7]] and reiterated throughout the #Pentateuch. The distribution process underscores God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His covenantal promises, reflecting His commitment to the #AbrahamicCovenant. ### Unity and Cooperation Among the Tribes The assembly of the whole congregation of #Israel at #Shiloh, where the tent of meeting was set up, emphasizes unity and cooperation among the tribes. This gathering to allot the remaining land illustrates the importance of collective decision-making and the shared identity of the tribes as one people under God. It mirrors earlier instances of unity seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 24]], where the people collectively affirmed their covenant with God. ### The Role of Leadership in God’s Plan #Joshua’s leadership in overseeing the distribution of the land highlights the recurring biblical theme of God using appointed leaders to guide His people in fulfilling His purposes. Similar to #Moses’ role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt, #Joshua continues to act as a mediator of God’s promises, aligning with the leadership seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 18|Exodus 18]] when Moses appointed leaders to help govern the people. ### The Importance of Obedience and Order The recorded survey and division of the land by the appointed men and the casting of lots in the presence of the Lord, as instructed by #Joshua, emphasizes the importance of obedience and maintaining order in executing God’s commands. This obedience mirrors the detailed instructions given for the construction of the tabernacle in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 25]], illustrating the necessity of following divine instructions precisely to maintain order and blessing. ### The Centrality of Worship The setting up of the tent of meeting at #Shiloh indicates the centrality of worship and God’s presence among His people. Shiloh becomes a focal point for Israel’s spiritual life, a theme that resonates with the later establishment of the temple in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8|1 Kings 8]] in #Jerusalem. This foreshadows the importance of having a central place where God’s presence is experienced and His laws are taught and observed. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Inheritance of the Promised Land In Joshua 18, the distribution of the remaining land among the seven tribes of #Israel fulfills God's promise to the patriarchs, specifically to #Abraham, #Isaac, and #Jacob, regarding the inheritance of the Promised Land. This is a continuation of the covenant God made with Abraham in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 15|Genesis 15:18-21]], where God promised to give his descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates. This fulfillment demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises and His plan for the nation of Israel. ### Establishment of Shiloh as a Central Place of Worship The setting up of the #tabernacle in #Shiloh, as described in Joshua 18:1, is significant in the biblical narrative. It marks the first time the tabernacle is set up in the Promised Land, fulfilling the earlier instructions given to Moses in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 12|Deuteronomy 12:5-11]]. This prophetic fulfillment establishes Shiloh as the central place of worship and foreshadows the eventual establishment of #Jerusalem as the permanent site for the temple, as seen in the reign of #Solomon ([[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8|1 Kings 8:1-11]]). ### Division of the Land by Lot The casting of lots to determine the division of the land among the tribes, as described in Joshua 18:6-10, fulfills the instructions given in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 26|Numbers 26:55-56]]. This method of land distribution emphasizes God's sovereignty in the allotment of the land, ensuring that each tribe receives its inheritance according to divine will, rather than human decision. This practice reflects the belief that God guides the process, fulfilling His promises in a manner that maintains His control and purpose for the tribes of Israel. ## Verses - **Joshua 18:1** - "Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle. But there remained seven tribes who had not yet been allotted their grants of land." - Note: The setting up of the Tabernacle at #Shiloh is significant as it becomes a central place of worship. See [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 1]]. - **Joshua 18:2** - "Then Joshua asked them, 'How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?'" - **Joshua 18:3** - "Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to explore the land and map it out. They will bring back a written report of their proposed divisions of their new homeland." - **Joshua 18:4** - "Let them divide the land into seven sections, excluding Judah’s territory in the south and Joseph’s territory in the north." - **Joshua 18:5** - "And when you have completed the survey of the land, divide it into seven parts. Bring the description to me so that I may cast sacred lots in the presence of the LORD our God to assign land to each tribe." - **Joshua 18:6** - "The Levites, however, will not receive any land of their own, for their role as priests of the LORD is their inheritance. And the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have already received their grants of land on the east side of the Jordan River, where Moses, the servant of the LORD, had previously assigned them." - **Joshua 18:7** - "As the men started on their way to map out the land, Joshua commanded them, 'Go and explore the land and write a description of it. Then return to me, and I will assign the land to the tribes by casting sacred lots here in the presence of the LORD at Shiloh.'" - **Joshua 18:8** - "The men did as they were told and set out to map the land. They wrote a description of it, town by town, in seven sections, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh." - **Joshua 18:9** - "There at Shiloh, Joshua cast sacred lots in the presence of the LORD to determine which tribe should have each section." - **Joshua 18:10** - "The first allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin. It lay between the territory previously assigned to the tribes of Judah and Joseph." - **Joshua 18:11** - "The northern boundary of Benjamin’s land began at the Jordan River, went north of the slope of Jericho, then west through the hill country and the wilderness of Beth-aven." - **Joshua 18:12** - "From there, the boundary extended southward along the hill country to Luz (also called Bethel) and then down to Ataroth-addar on the hill that lies south of Lower Beth-horon." - **Joshua 18:13** - "The boundary then moved south to the side of the hill facing Beth-horon and ended at Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), a town belonging to the tribe of Judah. This was the western boundary." - **Joshua 18:14** - "The southern boundary began at the edge of Kiriath-jearim and extended west to the spring at the waters of Nephtoah." - **Joshua 18:15** - "The boundary then went down to the base of the mountain near the valley of Ben-hinnom, at the northern end of the valley of Rephaim. From there it went down the valley of Hinnom, passing south of the slope where the Jebusites lived, and continued down to En-rogel." - **Joshua 18:16** - "From En-rogel the boundary proceeded north and came to En-shemesh and on to Geliloth (which is across from the slopes of Adummim). Then it went down to the Stone of Bohan (Bohan was Reuben’s son)." - **Joshua 18:17** - "From there it passed along the north side of the slope overlooking the Jordan Valley. The border then went down into the valley," - **Joshua 18:18** - "ran past the north slope of Beth-arabah, and went down into the Jordan Valley." - **Joshua 18:19** - "The southern boundary began at the edge of the Jordan River, from there it went up to the north slope of Beth-hoglah, and continued into the wilderness of Beth-arabah." - **Joshua 18:20** - "The eastern boundary was the Jordan River. These were the boundaries of the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin." - **Joshua 18:21** - "These were the towns given to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin: Jericho, Beth-hoglah, Emek-keziz," - **Joshua 18:22** - "Beth-arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel," - **Joshua 18:23** - "Avvim, Parah, Ophrah," - **Joshua 18:24** - "Kephar-ammoni, Ophni, and Geba—twelve towns with their surrounding villages." - **Joshua 18:25** - "Also Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth," - **Joshua 18:26** - "Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah," - **Joshua 18:27** - "Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah," - **Joshua 18:28** - "Zela, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen towns with their surrounding villages. This was the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin."