Joshua 19:17-23: a reflection

17The fourth lot came out for Issachar, even for the children of Issachar according to their families. 18Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem, 19Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath, 20Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez, 21Remeth, Engannim, En Haddah, and Beth Pazzez. 22The border reached to Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth Shemesh. Their border ended at the Jordan: sixteen cities with their villages. 23This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Issachar according to their families, the cities with their villages.

This passage records the inheritance given to the tribe of Issachar, assigned to them by lot: their border, their sixteen towns with their villages, the portion that fell to them. Notice that it came by lot, not by grasping or striving; each tribe received the portion God assigned, as the lot fell, rather than seizing the best for themselves. Issachar received its allotted place, the portion appointed to it, and was to be content with it.

Notice how the inheritance was distributed: by lot, as God appointed, not by each tribe grasping for the best. The casting of lots removed human striving and favoritism; each tribe received the portion that fell to it, the place God assigned, rather than fighting to seize the choicest land. Issachar received its allotted portion, neither more nor less than what God appointed, and was to receive it as its place, given by God.

That points to a contentment worth learning: to receive the portion and place God assigns, rather than grasping for what we think better. We can spend our lives grasping, striving to seize a better portion than we have, comparing our lot with others' and coveting theirs. But each tribe received its portion as God assigned it, and was to be content with it. Receive the portion and place God has assigned you, your circumstances, your gifts, your lot, as given by him, rather than grasping for what you think better or coveting another's. God assigns each of his people a portion and a place; receive yours contentedly, as Issachar received its allotted inheritance, trusting that the God who apportioned it did so wisely. Do not spend your life grasping for a different portion; receive contentedly the place and portion God has assigned you, as given by his hand.

Lord, this passage records the inheritance given to Issachar, assigned by lot, not by grasping or striving; each tribe received the portion you appointed, as the lot fell, rather than seizing the best for themselves. Show me the contentment worth learning: to receive the portion and place you assign, rather than grasping for what I think better. I can spend my life grasping, striving to seize a better portion than I have, comparing my lot with others' and coveting theirs. But each tribe received its portion as you assigned it, and was to be content with it. Help me receive the portion and place you have assigned me, my circumstances, my gifts, my lot, as given by you, rather than grasping for what I think better or coveting another's. You assign each of your people a portion and a place; help me receive mine contentedly, as Issachar received its allotted inheritance, trusting that you, who apportioned it, did so wisely. Keep me from spending my life grasping for a different portion; help me receive contentedly the place and portion you have assigned me, Lord, as given by your hand. Make me content with the portion you have given.