The book of Joshua marks the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel—the land of Canaan, the inheritance He had set apart for them. By Joshua 13, much of the land had been conquered, yet much remained to be possessed. Here, God speaks to Joshua, an aging leader, and commands him to continue the division of the land among the tribes. This chapter highlights a powerful truth: inheritance is not merely about conquest but about divine assignment. As believers, we find a greater fulfillment of this in Jesus Christ, the One who assigns our spiritual inheritance.
1. The Inheritance Assigned by God’s Will
Joshua 13 begins with God telling Joshua, “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed” (Joshua 13:1). The physical inheritance of Israel was not just about what they had conquered but also about what was divinely appointed to them. Even before they could fully occupy the land, God commanded that it be distributed.
This reflects the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ. Ephesians 1:11 declares, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” Just as Israel’s land was not gained by their effort alone but by divine appointment, so too is our inheritance in Christ determined by God’s sovereign will.
2. Jesus, the Greater Joshua, Assigns Our Spiritual Inheritance
Joshua was a leader who assigned inheritances to Israel, but Jesus, the greater Joshua (Yeshua), is the One who assigns our spiritual inheritance. The Old Testament Joshua led God’s people into a temporary land, but Jesus leads us into an eternal inheritance.
Our inheritance in Christ includes:
- Eternal Life (John 10:28) – Jesus gives us an inheritance that does not perish.
- The Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) – The Spirit is the down payment of our inheritance, guaranteeing what is to come.
- A Kingdom that Cannot Be Shaken (Hebrews 12:28) – Unlike Israel’s land that could be invaded, our inheritance in Christ is eternal and secure.
Jesus assigns each believer a place in His kingdom, just as Joshua assigned the tribes their portions of land. Our spiritual inheritance is uniquely designed, reflecting God’s purpose for our lives.
3. The Levites: A Picture of Our Ultimate Inheritance in God
One of the most striking details in Joshua 13 is that the tribe of Levi was given no land inheritance: “But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance” (Joshua 13:33).
This foreshadows the reality for believers in Christ. While we receive blessings from God, our ultimate inheritance is not material—it is God Himself. Psalm 73:26 says, “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” The Levites were called to serve in the temple, and their inheritance was their relationship with God. In Christ, we are called to be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), with God as our true reward.
4. Faith to Possess What Has Been Given
Although the land was assigned to the Israelites, they had to step out in faith to take full possession of it. Many tribes failed to drive out the inhabitants completely, leading to future troubles (Joshua 13:13). Similarly, in Christ, we have been given every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3), yet we must walk in faith to fully experience them.
Possessing our spiritual inheritance means:
- Living in the fullness of God’s promises.
- Walking in victory over sin.
- Exercising our God-given authority through Christ.
- Living by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Many believers live below their inheritance because they fail to walk in faith. The Israelites’ partial obedience left them struggling later, just as spiritual complacency keeps many believers from experiencing the fullness of what Christ has given.
5. A Call to Rest in Christ
Joshua’s assignment of land foreshadowed the greater rest that Jesus provides. The Israelites longed for rest in the Promised Land, but true rest is only found in Jesus. Hebrews 4:8-9 states, “For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.”
Our inheritance in Christ includes spiritual rest—freedom from striving, fear, and bondage. Jesus calls us to rest in Him (Matthew 11:28), knowing that our inheritance is secured not by our works but by His finished work on the cross.
Conclusion: Receiving and Walking in Our Inheritance
Joshua 13 reminds us that inheritance is not just about receiving but about divine appointment. Jesus, our greater Joshua, assigns our spiritual inheritance in accordance with the Father’s will. Just as Israel was called to step into the land prepared for them, we too are called to walk in the fullness of our inheritance in Christ.
Are you living in the fullness of what Christ has assigned to you? Are you walking in faith, or are you hesitating to take hold of God’s promises? Your inheritance in Christ is waiting—step into it with faith and obedience, knowing that Jesus, the One who assigns, has secured it for you.
