Joshua was called by God to lead His people into the Promised Land is now completed. Thus, he began allotting their inheritance of the land to them. The two-and-a-half tribes had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan from Moses, here four of the nine-and-a-half tribes were allotted theirs in the earlier chapter. Now the last five tribes were allotted theirs: Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan. In verses 49-51, Joshua was given an inheritance as well.

In verses 1-9, Simeon was allotted thirteen cities and the villages around them. They were in the land of Judah since Judah’s land was too large for her. In verses 10-16, Zebulun was allotted twelve cities and the villages around the land they were given. In verses 17-23, Issachar was allotted sixteen cities and the villages in the land they were allotted. In verses 24-31, Asher was given twenty-two cities and the villages in the land allotted. In verses 32-39, Naphtali was allotted nineteen cities and the villages in the land they were given. In verses 40-48, the number of cities and the villages in the land were not mentioned but only named like the rest were allotted to the tribe of Dan.

The division and allotment were based on the population of each tribe, so some had more than others. But each tribe got its fair share. In verses 49-50, When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. By command of the Lord they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-Serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it.

The Israelites rewarded Joshua with an inheritance too. Why did Joshua choose the city of Timnath-Serah in Ephraim? It was said that Joshua's choice reveals his humility as he could have asked for the best fertile land, but he did not. He asked for Timnath Serah, a city in the rugged, infertile, mountainous district of his own tribe (Ephraim). A leader does not need to have the best lifestyle, but he must live humbly by example in the choices he makes. Paul said everything is good but not everything is profitable. Profitable for what? Profitable to our witnesses and for the people around us, whether it builds them up or stumbles them.

We see that there was collaboration and accountability among the spiritual leaders, Eleazar, with Joshua the leader of the country in the allotting of the land. In verse 51, These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So, they finished dividing the land. Accountability is important as everyone must be treated fairly.

In Joshua 17, even the daughters of Zelophehad were given their father’s inheritance because they did not have a male descendant to claim their father’s inheritance. We have leaders who use their authority and position to “lord” over others, and even “bully” them in the church. We call this “spiritual bullying.” Let us not be guilty of it but let us be fair and just!

Reflective Prayer: Lord, help me to be fair and just in treating others as it complies with your command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let me live humbly and be a good example to others so that they may see that God is fair and just in us. In the name of the Lord Jesus, I pray, Amen.