God has already provided a rich inheritance, and remaining faithful to Him is the key to fully possessing it.
Joshua continues his exhortation to Israel, reminding them of what God has done and what remains for them to do. He proclaims, “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun” (Joshua 23:4). Here, Joshua is both referencing God’s faithfulness thus far and pointing to the remaining pockets of resistance. The Jordan is the river bordering their eastern entrance into Canaan, the place they crossed under Joshua’s leadership to commence the conquest (Joshua 1:1). The “Great Sea” points to the vast Mediterranean Sea in the west, marking the outer boundary of Israel’s boundary lines.
By highlighting “these nations which remain as an inheritance,” Joshua underscores that though much land has been conquered, there is still work to be done, both in terms of driving out the remaining inhabitants and fully settling the territory promised by God. The term “inheritance” shows that this land allotment was not a random acquisition but a fulfillment of the covenant promises given to the forefathers. From east to west, the land encompassed diverse terrain and multiple people groups, forming the arena where Israel would continue to follow God’s directives. These directives required them to remain faithful to His covenant, for the land’s ultimate possession hinged on their allegiance to God (Deuteronomy 28).
Historically, Joshua lived during the Late Bronze Age, around the 15th to 14th century BC. Having served under Moses and then leading Israel after Moses’ death, Joshua now stands near the end of his life and ministry. His statement here in Joshua 23:4 represents a summation of God’s steadfastness: God brought Israel from bondage, guided them across the Jordan, and enabled them to conquer much of Canaan. Yet even in these final moments, Joshua continues to remind them of God’s role in granting this land, instructing them to remain faithful to secure its blessings.
Set to dark mode
Joshua 23:4 meaning
Joshua continues his exhortation to Israel, reminding them of what God has done and what remains for them to do. He proclaims, “See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have cut off, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun” (Joshua 23:4). Here, Joshua is both referencing God’s faithfulness thus far and pointing to the remaining pockets of resistance. The Jordan is the river bordering their eastern entrance into Canaan, the place they crossed under Joshua’s leadership to commence the conquest (Joshua 1:1). The “Great Sea” points to the vast Mediterranean Sea in the west, marking the outer boundary of Israel’s boundary lines.
By highlighting “these nations which remain as an inheritance,” Joshua underscores that though much land has been conquered, there is still work to be done, both in terms of driving out the remaining inhabitants and fully settling the territory promised by God. The term “inheritance” shows that this land allotment was not a random acquisition but a fulfillment of the covenant promises given to the forefathers. From east to west, the land encompassed diverse terrain and multiple people groups, forming the arena where Israel would continue to follow God’s directives. These directives required them to remain faithful to His covenant, for the land’s ultimate possession hinged on their allegiance to God (Deuteronomy 28).
Historically, Joshua lived during the Late Bronze Age, around the 15th to 14th century BC. Having served under Moses and then leading Israel after Moses’ death, Joshua now stands near the end of his life and ministry. His statement here in Joshua 23:4 represents a summation of God’s steadfastness: God brought Israel from bondage, guided them across the Jordan, and enabled them to conquer much of Canaan. Yet even in these final moments, Joshua continues to remind them of God’s role in granting this land, instructing them to remain faithful to secure its blessings.