Joshua 14:1-5: a reflection

1These are the inheritances which the children of Israel took in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed to them, 2by the lot of their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe. 3For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe beyond the Jordan; but to the Levites he gave no inheritance among them. 4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. They gave no portion to the Levites in the land, except cities to dwell in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property. 5The children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses, and they divided the land.

As the land of Canaan is divided among the tribes of Israel, each receives its inheritance, its appointed portion, distributed as God had commanded. The land was apportioned by lot, as the LORD commanded, each tribe receiving its share; and the people received the portions given them, dividing the land as God directed. Each tribe received its own inheritance, its appointed portion, not all the same, but each its share as God apportioned. There is a lesson in receiving contentedly the portion God apportions to us: each tribe received its own inheritance, its particular share, as God directed, rather than grasping for another's or resenting its own. To receive contentedly the portion God apportions to us, our own particular share, rather than grasping for another's, is fitting. Each received its appointed portion as God directed. To receive contentedly the portion God gives us is good. God apportions to each their share; we receive it contentedly. Our portion is God's to apportion; ours to receive.

Notice how the inheritance was received: each tribe its own appointed portion, as God apportioned. The land was not seized by each grasping what it could, but distributed as God directed, each receiving its particular share. Some received more, some less; the portions differed; but each received what God apportioned to it. This suggests a wisdom about receiving contentedly the portion God gives us. In life, God apportions to each their own particular share, their circumstances, gifts, place, lot; and these differ from one another. We can grasp for another's portion, resent our own, or refuse to be content with what God has apportioned to us; or we can receive contentedly the portion God has given us, our own particular share, trusting his apportioning. The tribes received their inheritance as God directed; and there is a contentment in receiving the portion God has given us as our own, rather than grasping for another's or resenting our own. To receive contentedly the portion God apportions, trusting his distribution, is a good and peaceful thing. Our portion is what God has apportioned; to receive it contentedly is wisdom. Contentment receives the share God gives; discontent grasps for another's. God's apportioning is to be received with contentment.

That is worth taking to heart, for we do well to receive contentedly the portion God apportions to us, rather than grasping for another's or resenting our own. We can grasp for a portion other than our own, resent the share God has given us, or refuse to be content with our lot; but the tribes received the inheritance God apportioned to each, their own particular share. God apportions to each their portion; and there is contentment in receiving it as our own, trusting his distribution. Do not grasp for another's portion or resent your own; receive contentedly the share God has apportioned to you, as the tribes received their inheritance as God directed. Receive contentedly the portion God has apportioned to you, your own particular share, rather than grasping for another's or resenting your own, as the tribes of Israel each received its inheritance as the LORD commanded; for God apportions to each their portion, their circumstances, gifts, place, and lot, which differ from one another, and there is contentment and peace in receiving the share God has given us as our own, trusting his apportioning, rather than grasping for another's portion or resenting our own, so that to receive contentedly what God apportions to us, trusting his distribution, is a good and peaceful thing, while discontent that grasps for another's share or resents its own robs us of that peace.

Lord, as the land of Canaan is divided among the tribes of Israel, each receives its inheritance, its appointed portion, distributed as you had commanded. The land was apportioned by lot, as the LORD commanded, each tribe receiving its share; and the people received the portions given them, dividing the land as you directed. Each tribe received its own inheritance, not all the same, but each its share as you apportioned. There is a lesson in receiving contentedly the portion you apportion to me: each tribe received its own inheritance, rather than grasping for another's or resenting its own. Show me how the inheritance was received: each tribe its own appointed portion, as you apportioned. The land was not seized by each grasping what it could, but distributed as you directed. Some received more, some less; but each received what you apportioned to it. This suggests a wisdom about receiving contentedly the portion you give me. In life, you apportion to each their own particular share, their circumstances, gifts, place, lot; and these differ from one another. I can grasp for another's portion, resent my own, or refuse to be content with what you have apportioned to me; or I can receive contentedly the portion you have given me, trusting your apportioning. Take that to my heart, for I do well to receive contentedly the portion you apportion to me, rather than grasping for another's or resenting my own. I can grasp for a portion other than my own, resent the share you have given me, or refuse to be content with my lot; but the tribes received the inheritance you apportioned to each. Keep me from grasping for another's portion or resenting my own; help me receive contentedly the share you have apportioned to me, Lord, my own particular portion, trusting your distribution, as the tribes received their inheritance as you directed, that I may have the peace of contentment rather than the restlessness of discontent.