What Are You Waiting On?

Scripture(s): Joshua 18:2-3

There remained among the sons of Israel seven tribes who had not divided their inheritance. So Joshua said to the sons of Israel, "How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?

Commentary:
In this chapter we have, I. The setting up of the tabernacle at Shiloh (v. 1). II. The stirring up of the seven tribes that were yet unsettled to look after their lot, and the putting of them in a method for it, by Joshua (v. 2-7). III. The distributing of the land into seven lots, by certain men employed for that purpose (v. 8, 9). IV. The determining of these seven portions to the seven tribes yet unprovided for by lot (v. 10). V. The particular lot of the tribe of Benjamin, the borders of it (v. 11–20). And the cities contained in it (v. 21–28). The other six tribes we shall find well provided for in the next chapter (Henry, 1996)

Here, I. Joshua reproves those tribes which were yet unsettled that they did not bestir themselves to gain a settlement in the land which God had given them. Seven tribes were yet unprovided for, though sure of an inheritance, yet uncertain where it should be, and it seems in no great care about it, v. 2. And with them Joshua reasons (v. 3): How long are you slack? 1. They were too well pleased with their present condition, liked well enough to live in a body together, the more the merrier, and, like the Babel-builders, had no mind to be scattered abroad and break good company. The spoil of the cities they had taken served them to live plentifully upon for the present, and they banished the thoughts of time to come. Perhaps the tribes of Judah and Joseph, who had already received their inheritance in the countries next adjoining, were generous in entertaining their brethren who were yet unprovided for, so that they went from one good house to another among their friends, with which, instead of grudging that they were postponed, they were so well pleased that they cared not for going to houses of their own.

2. They were slothful and dilatory. It may be they wished the thing done, but had not spirit to stir in it, or move towards the doing of it, though it was so much for their own advantage; like the sluggard, that hides his hand in his bosom, and it grieves him to bring it to his mouth again. The countries that remained to be divided lay at a distance, and some parts of them in the hands of the Canaanites. If they go to take possession of them, the cities must be rebuilt or repaired, they must drive their flocks and herds a great way, and carry their wives and children to strange places, and this will not be done without care and pains, and breaking through some hardships; thus he that observes the wind shall not sow, and he that regards the clouds shall not reap, Eccl. 11:4. Note, Many are diverted from real duties, and debarred from real comforts, by seeming difficulties. God by his grace has given us a title to a good land, the heavenly Canaan, but we are slack to take possession; we enter not into that rest, as we might by faith, and hope, and holy joy; we live not in heaven, as we might by setting our affections on things above and having our conversation there (Henry, 1996).

How long shall it be thus with us? How long shall we thus stand in our own light, and forsake our own mercies for lying vanities? Joshua was sensible of the inconveniences of this delay, that, while they neglected to take possession of the land that was conquered, the Canaanites were recovering strength and spirit, and fortifying themselves in the places that were yet in their hands, which would make the total expulsion of them the more difficult. They would lose their advantages by not following their blow; and therefore, as an eagle stirreth up her nest, so Joshua stirs them up to take possession of their lot. He is ready to do his part, if they will but do theirs (Henry, 1996)

Reflection:
The blessings of the Lord maketh rich and added no sorrow with it. However, when the blessing is at the door, we tend to expect the blessing to open the door. We have to do something to actually receive what God has for us. We have to walk through the door and possess what God has given us. We cannot expect for God to do everything. We have to do something. Just like those that inherited the land of Caanan, they had to take a census of the land, and bring back a description to Joshua; so that he could divide the land accordingly. Work would be involved in taking possession. Laziness would not fit into the equation, and fear would block them from what was rightfully theirs. Physical and mental labor was required for them to take possession. So it is with us. Mentally, we must prepare for what God has given to us, and then we must physcially claim, and possess what is ours by faith. Wishing, hoping and dreaming is never enough to take possession of the promise. Action is required to bring our promise into our reality, and there is no time for a lazy mindset.

Strong's Concordance Definition: Joshua 18:3
How long are ye slack: 7503
1) to sink, relax, sink down, let drop, be disheartened

a) (Qal)
1) to sink down
2) to sink, drop
3) to sink, relax, abate
4) to relax, withdraw
b) (Niphal) idle (participle)
c) (Piel) to let drop
d) (Hiphil)
1) to let drop, abandon, relax, refrain, forsake
2) to let go
3) to refrain, let alone
4) to be quiet
e) (Hithpael) to show oneself slack

to go: 935
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in

a) (Qal)
1) to enter, come in
2) to come
a) to come with
b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
c) to come to pass
3) to attain to
4) to be enumerated
5) to go
b) (Hiphil)
1) to lead in
2) to carry in
3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
4) to bring to pass
c) (Hophal)
1) to be brought, brought in
2) to be introduced, be put

to possess: 3423
1) to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir

a) (Qal)
1) to take possession of
2) to inherit
3) to impoverish, come to poverty, be poor
b) (Niphal) to be dispossessed, be impoverished, come to poverty
c) (Piel) to devour
d) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to possess or inherit
2) to cause others to possess or inherit
3) to impoverish
4) to dispossess
5) to destroy, bring to ruin, disinherit

which the LORD: 3068
Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God
a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136

God: 430
1) (plural)

a) rulers, judges
b) divine ones
c) angels
d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
a) god, goddess
b) godlike one
c) works or special possessions of God
d) the (true) God
e) God

hath given you: 5414
1) to give, put, set

a) (Qal)
1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend
2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate
3) to make, constitute
b) (Niphal)
1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned
2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted
c) (Hophal)
1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up
2) to be put upon

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Joshua 18 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 24 Mar 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jos&c=18&t=NASB


Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Joshua 18." . Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar 1996. 2010. 24 Mar 2010.

http:// www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm
AuthorID=4&contentID=837&commInfo=5&topic=Joshua&ar=Jos_18_2

Higgins, S. (2010). What Are You Waiting On? Devotions For Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com