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Commentary on Joshua 13 verses 1–6
Here, I. God puts Joshua in mind of his old age, v. 1. 1. It is said that Joshua was old and stricken in years, and he and Caleb were at this time the only old men among the thousands of Israel, none except them of all those who were numbered at Mount Sinai being now alive. He had been a man of war from his youth (Exo 17:10); but now he yielded to the infirmities of age, with which it is in vain for the stoutest to think of contesting. It should seem Joshua had not the same strength and vigour in his old age that Moses had; all that come to old age do not find it alike good; generally, the days of old age are evil days, and such as there is no pleasure in, nor expectation of service from. 2. God takes notice of it to him: God said to him, Thou art old. Note, It is good for those who are old and stricken in years to be put in remembrance of their being so. Some have gray hairs here and there upon them, and perceive it not (Hos 7:9); they do not care to think of it, and therefore need to be told of it, that they may be quickened to do the work of life, and make preparation for death, which is coming towards them apace. But God mentions Joshua's age and growing infirmities, (1.) As a reason why he should now lay by the thoughts of pursuing the war; he cannot expect to see an end of it quickly, for there remained much land, more perhaps than he thought, to be possessed, in several parts remote from each other: and it was not fit that at his age he should be put upon the fatigue of renewing the war, and carrying it to such distant places; no, it was enough for him that he had reduced the body of the country. "Let him be gathered to rest with honour and the thanks of his people for the good services he had done them, and let the conquering of the skirts of the country be left for those that shall come after." As he had entered into the labours of Moses, so let others enter into his, and bring forth the top-stone, the doing of which was reserved for David long after. Observe, God considers the frame of his people, and would not have them burdened with work above their strength. It cannot be expected that old people should do as they have done for God and their country. (2.) As a reason why he should speedily apply himself to the dividing of that which he had conquered. That work must be done, and done quickly; it was necessary that he should preside in the doing of it, and therefore, he being old and stricken in years, and not likely to continue long, let him make this his concluding piece of service to God and Israel. All people, but especially old people, should set themselves to do that quickly which must be done before they die, lest death prevent them, Ecc 9:10.
II. He gives him a particular account of the land that yet remained unconquered, which was intended for Israel, and which, in due time, they should be masters of if they did not put a bar in their own door. Divers places are here mentioned, some in the south, as the country of the Philistines, governed by five lords, and the land that lay towards Egypt (Jos 13:2, Jos 13:3), some westward, as that which lay towards the Sidonians (Jos 13:4), some eastward, as all Lebanon (Jos 13:5), some towards the north, as that in the entering in of Hamath, Jos 13:5. Joshua is told this, and he made the people acquainted with it, 1. That they might be the more affected with God's goodness to them in giving them this good land, and might thereby be engaged to love and serve him; for, if this which they had was too little, God would moreover give them such and such things, Sa2 12:8. 2. That they might not be tempted to make any league, or contract any dangerous familiarity with these their neighbours so as to learn their way, but might rather be jealous of them, as a people that kept them from their right and that they had just cause of quarrel with. 3. That they might keep themselves in a posture for war, and not think of putting off the harness so long as there remained any land to be possessed. Nor must we lay aside our spiritual armour, nor be off our watch, till our victory be completed in the kingdom of glory.
III. He promises that he would make the Israelites masters of all those countries that were yet unsubdued, though Joshua was old and not able to do it, old and not likely to live to see it done. Whatever becomes of us, and however we may be laid aside as despised broken vessels, God will do his own work in his own time (Jos 13:6): I will drive them out. The original is emphatic: "It is I that will do it, I that can do it when thou are dead and gone, and will do it if Israel be not wanting to themselves." "I will do it by my Word," so the Chaldee here, as in many other places, "by the eternal Word, the captain of the hosts of the Lord." This promise that he would drive them out from before the children of Israel plainly supposes it as the condition of the promise that the children of Israel must themselves attempt their extirpation, must go up against them, else they could not be said to be driven out before them; if afterwards Israel, through sloth, or cowardice, or affection to these idolaters, sit still and let them alone, they must blame themselves, and not God, if they be not driven out. We must work out our salvation, and then God will work in us and work with us; we must resist our spiritual enemies, and then God will tread them under our feet; we must go forth to our Christian work and warfare, and then God will go forth before us.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 13:5 meticulously details a significant portion of the Promised Land that remained unconquered by the Israelites at the time of its division: the territory of the Giblites and the entirety of Lebanon, extending eastward from Baalgad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath. This verse serves as a crucial geographical marker, underscoring both the vast, ideal boundaries of Israel's divine inheritance and the immediate reality of their partial conquest. It highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, directing Joshua to distribute the land even before its full possession, while simultaneously emphasizing the ongoing responsibility of the Israelite tribes to complete the divine mandate through faith and obedience.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Topographical Description is central, as the verse meticulously lists geographical markers (Giblites, Lebanon, Baalgad, Mount Hermon, Hamath) to precisely delineate the boundaries of the unconquered land. This detailed enumeration emphasizes the vastness and specific nature of God's promise. Merism is evident in the phrase "from Baalgad under Mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath," which uses two extreme points to encompass the entire northern expanse of the territory. This device effectively communicates the comprehensive scope of the land God had promised. Furthermore, there is an implicit Juxtaposition or Contrast between the ideal, divinely promised territory (as described by these far-reaching boundaries) and the current, incomplete reality of Israel's possession. This highlights the tension between God's perfect plan and the partial fulfillment by His people, setting the stage for the subsequent narratives of tribal inheritance and struggle.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 13:5 profoundly illustrates the "already but not yet" dynamic inherent in God's redemptive plan. God's command to divide the land, even when much of it remained unconquered, is a powerful testament to His sovereign faithfulness. He acts on the certainty of His promises, not on the completeness of human performance. This divine initiative underscores that the inheritance is fundamentally a gift, secured by God's word, yet it simultaneously demands human participation in its full realization. Israel was called to step into their inheritance by faith, trusting that God would empower them to possess what He had already declared theirs. This principle resonates throughout biblical history, revealing that God's covenant blessings often require ongoing, active appropriation by His people, even as His faithfulness remains the ultimate guarantor.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 13:5 offers a profound spiritual lesson for believers today. Just as God commanded Joshua to distribute the land despite significant portions remaining unconquered, we are often called to step out in faith and claim the spiritual inheritance God has given us in Christ, even when the full manifestation of His promises or the complete removal of obstacles is not yet visible. This verse reminds us that God's faithfulness is the bedrock of our confidence; His promises are true regardless of our current circumstances or perceived limitations. It challenges us to identify the "unconquered territories" in our own lives—areas of sin, fear, doubt, unforgiveness, unfulfilled potential, or unreached people groups—and to actively, by faith, begin the process of "possessing" them through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a lifelong journey of sanctification and obedience, trusting that as we step out, God will equip and enable us to experience the fullness of His provision and purpose, bringing His kingdom influence to bear on every aspect of our existence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God command Joshua to divide the land if it wasn't fully conquered?
Answer: God commanded Joshua to divide the land despite its incomplete conquest for several profound reasons. Firstly, it underscored God's absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The land was a divine gift, and its distribution was a declaration that God's word was sufficient, regardless of Israel's current military success. Secondly, it shifted the responsibility for future conquest from a centralized, unified campaign under Joshua to the individual tribes. Each tribe was now tasked with dispossessing the inhabitants within their allotted inheritance, fostering a sense of ownership and ongoing obedience. This also served as a test of their faith and perseverance. Finally, it demonstrated that God's plans proceed even when human effort is incomplete. The "unconquered territories" served as a constant reminder of the ongoing work and the need for continued reliance on God, as seen in the subsequent struggles documented in Judges 1.
What was the significance of the "Giblites" and "Hamath" as boundaries in this verse?
Answer: The mention of the "Giblites" and "Hamath" is highly significant because they represent the extreme northern and northwestern ideal boundaries of the Promised Land, far beyond what Israel had actually conquered or settled. The Giblites (from Gebal/Byblos) were a powerful Phoenician maritime people, indicating that God's promise included the strategic and wealthy coastal regions. "The entering into Hamath" was a well-known geographical marker for the northernmost extent of the land, signifying a vast territory that stretched deep into what is modern-day Syria. By specifying these distant and unconquered regions, the verse highlights the immense scope of God's original intention for Israel's inheritance, emphasizing the generosity of His promise and the vastness of what remained to be possessed by faith and obedience. It contrasts the ideal with the reality of Israel's partial fulfillment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 13:5, with its theme of promised inheritance and unconquered territory, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Just as Israel was given a physical land to inherit and possess, believers in Christ have received a spiritual inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven" for them (1 Peter 1:3-5). This inheritance is not earned by conquest but is freely given through faith in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate "possessor" and fulfiller of all God's promises. Through His atoning work, Christ has already secured our victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:15). However, much like the "unconquered land" in Joshua, there remains an "already but not yet" dynamic in the Christian life. While we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), we are called to actively "possess" our spiritual inheritance by living out our new identity in Christ, walking in obedience, and bringing the transforming power of the Gospel into every area of our lives and the world. The Holy Spirit is given as the "guarantee of our inheritance" (Ephesians 1:13-14), empowering us to overcome the remaining "unconquered territories" of sin, fear, and unbelief, and to advance God's kingdom until Christ returns to fully establish His reign (Revelation 11:15).