Deuteronomy 18
Joshua 18 addresses the land allocation of the seven tribes that remained after the conquest of Canaan, during the process of distributing land to the twelve tribes of Israel. A key scene is the establishment of the tabernacle (the tent of meeting) at Shiloh, which provides a symbolic central place for God’s presence and rule. The chapter then follows the process in which the tribes that had not yet received their share send surveyors to divide the land, and the procedure continues with the distribution through casting lots.
1verseThe priests and the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire and his portion.
2verseThey shall have no inheritance among their brothers. The LORD is their inheritance, as he has spoken to them.
3verseThis shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts.
4verseYou shall give him the first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep.
5verseFor the LORD your God has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in the LORD’s name, him and his sons forever.
6verseIf a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel where he lives, and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which the LORD shall choose,
7versethen he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before the LORD.
8verseThey shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of his family possessions.
9verseWhen you have come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations.
10verseThere shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer,
11verseor a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
12verseFor whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD. Because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you.
13verseYou shall be blameless with the LORD your God.
14verseFor these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you so to do.
15verseThe LORD your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.
16verseThis is according to all that you desired of the LORD your God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again the LORD my God’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”
17verseThe LORD said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken.
18verseI will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.
19verseIt shall happen, that whoever will not listen to my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20verseBut the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”
21verseYou may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?”
22verseWhen a prophet speaks in the LORD’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.
Structure and Flow of the Passage
- Setting Up the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh (verses 1): This signifies that the people of Israel stand before God in a unified manner.
- Delay and Encouragement Regarding the Land Distribution (verses 2–7): Joshua delivers encouragement to the seven tribes that have not yet taken possession of their land, urging them to move forward with the distribution.
- Selection of Surveyors and Survey (verses 8–9): Three men from each of the seven remaining tribes are chosen to survey the land and compile practical lists for the distribution.
- Casting Lots and Allocation (verse 10): You can see the process by which Joshua, in God’s presence, officially distributes the land.
- Distribution to the Tribe of Benjamin (verses 11–28): First, an example of the distribution appears in the allocation of an inheritance to the tribe of Benjamin.
The Meaning and Insights of the Whole Chapter
Joshua 18 shows a stage in which Israel prepares for a fresh start after the conquest war—demonstrating the inheritance to be distributed, the fulfillment of God’s promises, and the formation of an orderly community. By setting up the tent of meeting at Shiloh, faith is established as the center, and by enabling each tribe to receive land fairly from one another, agreement and obedience within the community are realized. The practical surveying and distribution of the land is an important step that allows people to experience God’s promise (the land of Canaan) in a concrete way.
Reflection Points
- You can reflect on your attitude toward actively seeking and preparing for the place in life and the mission that have been given to you.
- You can also recall an attitude of relying on God’s guidance within the community, along with order and consideration.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Within God’s promises and direction, think about practical ways you can faithfully carry out the things you have been postponing and the mission entrusted to you.
- Let’s also concretely think of how to live with gratitude and faithfulness in the places in life given to you, your family, and your community.
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