Joshua 18

Joshua 18:1

4. The Allotment to the Rest of the Tribes (Chaps. 18, 19)18:1 The encampment of Israel now changes from Gilgal to Shiloh. Here the tabernacle is set up, and here it remains until the days of Samuel. The division of the land continues here. 18:2-10 Judah and Joseph had received their inheritance by casting of lots, but there were still seven tribes west of the Jordan which had not been assigned their inheritance. Therefore, Joshua sent a group of men, three from each tribe, to survey the remaining seven tribes by lot. 18:11-28 Benjamin’s boundaries are given in verses 11-20, and the cities in verses 21-28. Benjamin’s portion was small, but it was choice. It occupied the heart of the land and possessed within its borders the firstfruits of Israel’s labors in Canaan. Gilgal was in Benjamin’s territory, the first campsite west of the Jordan. The memorial stones were there to bear witness to the miraculous crossing of the Jordan. There the people kept the first Passover in Canaan, and began feeding on the produce of the land. There the nation was once again circumcised and the reproach of Egypt was rolled away. There was hardly a more historically significant spot in all of Canaan, because no other place taught so many spiritual lessons. The ruins of Jericho were still visible in Benjamin’s land. Her walls, once thought invincible, were now laid low. The portion belonging to Rahab’s house remained standing as a testimony to the grace of God, which always responds to faith. A Benjamite could always visit here whenever he needed a fresh reminder that the battle was the Lord’s. Bethel (the house of God) caused the Benjamites to remember the faith of their fathers and the faithfulness of Israel’s divine Deliverer (Gen_28:18-22; Gen_35:1-15). Jerusalem was destined to be the capital city, but it was not until the son of Jesse came that the Jebusites would be driven from their mountain fortress. Benjamin’s land encompassed many evidences and signs of past, present, and future blessings. What a rich lot fell to Jacob’s youngest son!