Day 76 · Part 5: The Promised Land
Dividing the Land (1 of 2)
In the Story
In context
Joshua was “old and well advanced in years,” and much land was still to be taken (Joshua 13:1). The tribes received their land by lot (14:2), and Proverbs says of the lot, “its every decision is from Yahweh” (Proverbs 16:33). The land east of the Jordan had already gone to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh (13:8–32), while Levi received none: “Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance” (13:33).
Caleb, now eighty-five, reminded Joshua of what Moses had sworn to him at Kadesh Barnea forty-five years before (14:6–10; Numbers 14:24). “As my strength was then, even so is my strength now,” he said, and asked for the hill country where the Anakim lived (14:11–12). Joshua gave him Hebron, once called Kiriath Arba, where Abraham had buried Sarah (14:13–15; Genesis 23:2, 19).
Judah’s land ran from the Salt Sea (the Dead Sea) to the great sea, its northern border passing the valley of Hinnom just south of Jerusalem (15:1–12). But the Jebusites of Jerusalem stayed: Judah “couldn’t drive them out” (15:63). David took the city long after (2 Samuel 5:6–7).
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in Yahweh’s house. They will flourish in our God’s courts. They will still produce fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and green, to show that Yahweh is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Psalms 92:12–15 · Caleb, eighty-five, says his strength is what it was at forty; the psalm says the righteous “will still produce fruit in old age.”
For families
Caleb promised his daughter Achsah as a wife to the man who took Kiriath Sepher, and Othniel did (Joshua 15:16–17). Then Achsah asked her father, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” He gave her the upper springs and the lower springs (15:18–19).
Achsah asked her father for springs of water, and he gave her the upper and the lower springs. What is something you once asked a parent or grandparent for?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
Joshua 13
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Joshua 14
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Joshua 15
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A hymn for today
Standing on the Promises · words by R. Kelso Carter
- Standing on the promises of Christ my King,Through eternal ages let His praises ring;Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises that cannot fail,When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,By the living Word of God I shall prevail,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I now can seePerfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,Bound to Him eternally by love's strong cord,Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.
- Standing on the promises I cannot fall,List'ning every moment to the Spirit's call,Resting in my Savior as my all in all,Standing on the promises of God.RefrainStanding, standing,Standing on the promises of God my Savior;Standing, standing,I'm standing on the promises of God.