1 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the tent of meeting there. The country was brought under their control, 2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.
3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?
- Joshua 18:1-3
1. God’s agenda is to build people not structures
In 2 Samuel 7:1-7, It says that David intended to build a magnificent house for God. But God recognized this was more of a monument for David than for himself. God can’t be contained within a building. He wants to dwell in his people.
2. Faith recognizes and seizes the promise
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
- Deuteronomy 31:7-10 (ESV)30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
- Numbers 13:30 (ESV)
3. When we possess our inheritance, we help others receive theirs
The tribes of Israel that had received their inheritance had to help fight for those who had not received theirs.
18 “And I commanded you at that time, saying, ‘The Lord your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel. 19 Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock (I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you, 20 until the Lord gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the Lord your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.’
- Deuteronomy 3:18-20 (ESV)