Joshua 13:1-7 tell us that Joshua was now advanced
in years and old, and there were yet quite a few parts of Canaan that were
unconquered. There were still pockets of resistant groups that had to be dealt
with. So, God instructed Joshua to divide the land to the nine and a half
tribes of Israel not allotted lands east of Jordan. After the distribution,
each tribe would be responsible to deal with those pockets of resistance
within their allotted lands. Like land distributed to the Israelites,
Christian life is a privilege. And we need to know that responsibilities come
with every privilege. We must be accountable to God for all that He had granted
us, by being diligent to make progress in our walk with Him.
One thing we can learn from the life
of Joshua is the joy of walking and serving God till a ripe old age. What a
privilege to have God still talking to him in his advanced years. Just imagine,
he was well above 90 years of age and still vibrantly serving the Lord. Older
people should not think that we can no longer contribute to the work of God
because of our age. If we are willing, God will supply the needed energy and
grant us the needed strength to fulfill our assigned tasks, even when we are
advanced in years.
Verse 1 is not a rebuke but a reality check. It
would help to acknowledge that no matter how much we have gained and
accomplished in life, there are still areas we need to deal with. It tells us
that there are much in life that still need to be done. Secondly, an honest
appraisal will help to keep us humble before the Lord. When we realize how far
short, we are in possessing all that we need to possess, we will be driven to
rely on Him to continue to deal with each unconquered area of life. Thirdly, we
learn that there will always be grounds in life that we have left uncovered.
And there are still many new things to learn and grow in the Lord. This is a
solemn reminder that to experience total victory, everyone has to be
responsible to deal with their weak areas in life.
However, take note that just as God did not leave
them floundering on their own, He will also not leave us to struggle by
ourselves. He promised in verse 6 that He Himself would drive the resistant forces
out. This is an acknowledgment that all tasks we need to do can be successful
only as we learn to lean on His unseen hand, working with us and driving us
forward. Bear in mind that we are His co-laborers. We are only unprofitable
servants in that while we are doing His work, we still need His help to be
victorious. We learn to depend on the Lord for our daily victory. Let us
advance our personal life with God. As we do so, we shall also advance the
Kingdom for God!
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