THE BORDERS. Joshua 15 The detailed account of land allotment in Canaan might seem unimportant at first. However, we see that God wants us to understand His concern for real people living in a real place at a specific point in history. In this chapter, the story returns to the actual inheritance of the land God promised by describing boundaries and locations. There are lessons for us about the boundaries God establishes in our lives.
Knowing where we belong and not attempting to go beyond that serves as a vital safety feature for God's people. There will always be beautiful vistas and scenery that please the eye and make us think, "I like this. I would like to live here." Yet, it won't be long before another scene becomes attractive or, more significantly, catches our fancy. This entire world is a remarkable work of divine creation, so wherever we look, every person is left without excuse regarding God's existence. Similarly, what attracts the spirit of a child of God reveals new vistas of truth and opportunity to us. So how do we know where we should be and what we are to do in our lives and service for God?
The children of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh were allotted land by Moses because of their request before crossing the Jordan. Moses also gave an inheritance to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan because they were content with less fertile land than they could have claimed. They never fully removed all the inhabitants of their land and more or less assimilated into a mixed culture. The Levites understood their places of dwelling would be scattered among all the tribes due to the nature of their calling and the unique work God assigned them.
Some of God's people understand their responsibilities regarding where they and generations before them have lived. They know what they are accountable for preserving. The boundaries of their lives and the work they are called to do are very clear to them. It may be because of their personality and talent, combined with God-given gifts, that there is no doubt about their role in life and where it should be exercised. Some may say to them, "Why don't you leave here and go somewhere else where there is more excitement, and you get more profit from what is happening?" But when a person knows their own boundaries, they are not tempted by the offerings of other places because they have a heritage entrusted to them to protect. Their heritage, both physical and spiritual, is of great importance to them because they recognize it has been given to them by God. Their attitude is, "This is where God placed me. This is where God has blessed me and those before me. This is where I will stay by God's grace."
God calls others to reach out to "regions beyond" with the Gospel, and to do so, they must move and claim new ground. When God directs this, the motivation is to fulfill the divine commission and establish a new work. God has established new assemblies when He moved the hearts of some to go further in fellowship with those from their home assembly. When that occurs, the spiritual boundaries set in the new work are still designated by God. We do not have the right to say, "Now, we will do things our way." It is God who establishes borders.
When some whom the Lord of the harvest directs to go to different cultures or lands move forward in faith, the boundaries within which we preach and teach remain those given by God. There will be some differences in methods that are more acceptable in different societies, and social life may feel strange or different. However, the borders of the message stay the same. God has established them. The standards He has set for morality, preaching, teaching, and worship are universal. God has placed "eternity in their hearts" for all people, and within that context, we must remain.
The portions designated for Judah and Joseph are the first ones named. Judah was given priority by Jacob and held that position throughout the nation’s history. In Joshua 19:9, we read that the territory of Judah was “too much,” so Simeon was given a portion in the middle of Judah’s area.
Judah’s territory stretched from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the valley of Hinom just south of Mt. Ebal to the northern border, reaching the wilderness of Negev in the south. Twenty-nine southern cities were allotted to Simeon. The Jews did not settle in the western part of Judah’s designated land until David became king.
Where God's people go, the world, the flesh, and the devil will always try to compromise our boundaries. Spreading division and discontent with what God has given us has always hindered the children of God. In every society, living a godly life and staying within the limits God has set will make others uncomfortable. It is in human nature to want independence from God and to claim for ourselves what we should never have. But when we are in God's family, our goal is to please our gracious Father. Instead of resenting grace that highlights our limitations, we embrace God's grace and grow to appreciate it more over time.
We need to be content to stay within the borders God has set and ensure that where we are, we remain in fellowship with Him. If we're not careful, we might allow remnants of the old life inside our borders, and the "Jebusites" can remain a constant problem for us and the work of God that we are responsible for. To claim the promises of God, we must set our "foot" on every piece of holy ground within our borders.
It will be a great joy when our sons and daughters come of their own free will and desire, sharing what God has given us. Passing even a small part of the high ground God provided for us to benefit future generations is a reason to stay faithful and remain within the borders God set. Caleb must have been delighted when his daughter and her heroic husband wanted some of what he had. It may not seem important sometimes until we realize again that God has defined our borders. He knew what was best for us and made it possible for us to personally claim every part of what He intends us to have.
The plans God has for me are neither obscure nor unreasonable. He does not ask me to do something beyond my ability or unreachable. He simply wants me to be obedient to His will and open to learning so that I will continue to gain new and old knowledge from His word. He acts in ways and at times that are most reasonable and fitting to the situation. He gives His instructions in clear words, so I don’t need much explanation if I understand them in context and apply them to my current situation. He makes them understandable in terms that are plausible and reasonable, not asking me to act in ways or do work I am incapable of. Instead, He makes things clearly known so that I see them as sensible, prompting me to act quickly and with enthusiasm.
The boundaries of my life and work should be scriptural, like a frame around a picture with the entire scene intentionally designed. The call to His service is an indescribable privilege, allowing me to serve Him in practical ways. Although I must not be harsh and demanding of others, but instead flexible, gracious, patient, and yet firm in faith, I should prepare myself and be knowledgeable about my calling. It is my responsibility to always be ready and willing to do work within reasonable limits. Whether that work results in conflict or peace, I must obey Him; otherwise, I will be held accountable for causing failure, defeat, and loss.
God’s service and harvesting work is always doable, even though the conditions might be hard and the sins of those we work among may be terrible. Yet, as stewards of this work, I must always be found faithful, and in carrying out His work, I must always be honorable.