“And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.”
This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Joshua:which describes the distribution of the Promised Land among the twelve tribes of Israel. After the conquest of Jericho and Ai, Joshua and the Israelites set up their camp at Gilgal. From there, they continued to conquer various territories.
In Joshua 18, we see that the tabernacle of the Lord had been set up at Shiloh. Joshua wanted to ensure a fair distribution of the remaining land to the remaining seven tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. To achieve this, Joshua cast lots before the Lord to determine the portions of land for each tribe.
Casting lots was a common practice in the Old Testament for making decisions. The casting of lots involved using objects, such as stones or marked sticks, which were drawn or thrown to determine God’s will in a given situation. The belief was that God would guide the outcome of the lots to reveal His decision.
By casting lots, Joshua acknowledged that the division of the land was not left to human preference or manipulation. Instead, it was entrusted to God’s sovereignty and guidance. The casting of lots ensured an impartial and fair distribution of the land, removing any potential biases or disputes among the tribes.
Joshua divided the land:based on the tribes’ divisions, ensuring that each tribe received their rightful portion according to God’s plan. This act demonstrated Joshua’s faithfulness as a leader, his commitment to following God’s guidance, and his desire to uphold justice among the Israelites.
This verse also emphasizes the significance of Shiloh:Shiloh was a significant city in the Promised Land because it was the place where the tabernacle was established, becoming the central location for worship and the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant during this period.
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