Joshua 19:49-51 – True test of character

People will be tested by adversity, but the best test of the character of a person is when he or she is given power. The mark of a person with character is often seen in how he handles power. Joshua was a man of character. He knew how to handle power. He was not a self-indulgent man. This is clearly evident in how he administered the allocation of the land. If he was a smaller person, he would have felt entitled to reward himself first. For after all he was the leader and could assert his rights to the first cut of the cake. But here in Joshua 19:49-50, we clearly see that he was not such a person. In verse 49 we are told that it was the sons of Israel who gave him the land. And he only settled into what was given to him after all the other tribes had received theirs. People may prize talents but God prefers people of character. So, let us seek to be a person that has the character to match our calling.   

In verse 50, we are told that what was given to him was according to the command of the LORD. The land was his because of the will of God. Notice that he didn’t presume on his position as the leader and went on to annex the land for himself. From this, we know that God knows what’s best for us. The gifts He will give to us are those that best befit our personality and ministry. It is said in verse 50, that Joshua went into his land, settled in his allotment and built it. Like him, we must take the gifts God has granted to us, acknowledge our gifts and excel in them. We must continue to hone our God-given gifts and deploy them for the work He has called us to do. We must be conversant and excel in whatever we are given.    

The land given to Joshua was not done secretly. It was a transparent and open deal before the eyes of the tribes of Israel. There was nothing that needed to be hidden for it was an honest deal. He didn’t do anything that was improper and suspicious and needs to be done covertly. We need to be seen to be doing what is right but importantly, we must be doing what is right. The strength of a person’s character is seen in his attitude. The truth of Joshua’s character was seen through how he went about doing things, especially those that concerned himself. He was truly a godly man of great character and a great model to follow. But the greater Joshua, Jesus our LORD is far worthier of our emulation. Let us seek to be Christlike!