“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.”
Context:The book of Joshua records the events that took place after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader of Israel and led them in conquering various territories in Canaan. Joshua 13 marks a transitional point in the narrative as Joshua is growing old and God reminds him that there is still much land to be possessed.
Joshua’s Age:The verse begins by stating that Joshua was old and stricken in years. This indicates that Joshua had reached an advanced age and was physically weaker due to the passing of time. Despite his age, Joshua had faithfully served God and led the Israelites for many years.
God’s Assessment:The Lord acknowledges Joshua’s advanced age and reminds him of the task still remaining. God’s statement, “There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed,” implies that there were still territories in Canaan that needed to be conquered by the Israelites. This reminds Joshua that there is more work to be done, and he should not rest on past accomplishments.
Spiritual Application:Joshua 13:1 holds several lessons for us today:
- Age is not a limitation:Joshua’s advancing years did not disqualify him from fulfilling God’s purpose. It serves as a reminder that God can use us at any stage of our lives, regardless of our age or physical limitations. We should not let our age deter us from serving God or pursuing His plans for our lives.
- Completing the work:God’s statement to Joshua indicates that the task of possessing the land was not yet finished. Similarly, as believers, we have a mission to fulfill in our lives. We are called to grow in our faith, share the gospel, and make disciples. This verse encourages us to stay committed and persevere in fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives until the very end.
- Continual growth:Just as the Israelites were called to possess more land, we are called to grow and mature in our relationship with God. There is always more of God’s promises, blessings, and spiritual territory for us to explore and possess. This verse challenges us to continually seek God, deepen our understanding of His Word, and grow in our faith.
In summary, Joshua 13:1 highlights Joshua’s advanced age and God’s reminder that there is still much land to be possessed. This verse encourages us not to let age limit our service to God, reminds us of the unfinished tasks before us, and challenges us to continually grow in our faith and pursue God’s purposes for our lives.
