Joshua's Choice of a Special Portion
The part of Joshua's choice for a special portion does seem insignificant. Yet, as I read through Dr. Vernon McGee's commentary and found something interesting. Here's the commentary for Joshua 19:49:51:
Here's what "Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary" says concerning this issue:
Here's what "Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible" says concerning this issue:
The curiosity is that the Greek of Joshua is Jesus. Joshua of the Old Testament, though a sinner, and from the tribe of Ephraim (making him a descendant of Joseph), is another type of savior. Joseph was a type of savior in the Book of Genesis. Joseph portrayed that salvation was for all people when he became a savior to the pagan city of Egypt. Moses was a type of savior such as when his life was in danger as an infant and that he would deliver the people. Joshua now portrays a great character and a portrayal of Jesus too. The Lord Jesus Christ as the Joshua of Nazareth and Joshua of the New Testament fulfilled what the Joshua of the Old Testament couldn't.
Joshua could've had been arrogant and said, "I certainly deserve the best portion. Look, I didn't complain like the old generation did!" Instead, he chose a portion that God had allotted for him. He was careful to have God's priest Eleazar consult on occasion. Today, we've got pastors to fill in the office of the Levites. He chose but a small inheritance that reveals his character. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus didn't come in revelry. The angels announced not a king born in a palace but a manger. The Lord Jesus didn't have a parade of revelry but in poverty and like a prophet - a pillow a stone. A true prophet of God wasn't honored in revelry. They may get popularity until they spoke God's word. Anyone who claims to be a prophet but has the love of the world is no true prophet. Joshua chose a barren place that he rebuilt as his habitation. He desired to be close to God rather than to be close to man.
The character of the Israelites has been revealed. How often is it that the man of God is underappreciated. I would dare say a lot of these Israelites during his day were probably not saved. Judges 2:10 says that a new generation arose that knew not the LORD. It's a shame how they never gave Joshua any appreciation or at least to offer the best land. It was a picture of ungratefulness. Yet somehow, God used it for His glory. How often is it that the Israelites would later mistreat the people of God especially the prophets. The true prophets were God's speakers of the truth. The true prophets never got treated right in contrast to the false prophets. The Lord Jesus wasn't even welcomed by most people when He finally spoke badly needed truth for all to hear. This was a trend that would continue on and on in the Bible's historical saga. The prophets, the apostles, and all followers of God tend to be outcasts in Israel.
This pastor's appreciation month - do you really appreciate what your pastor has done for you? Do you appreciate God's pastor who has chosen not to live a life of luxury for your sake? Do you choose to follow a pastor who chooses hardship over luxury or do you follow a fake pastor who'd rather go after luxury than hardship? Joshua himself portrays what a pastor of God should be - a man who may not be perfect but a man who follows God's standards. A man who would serve the LORD even when all else will not.
See also:
You would think that because Joshua was a man of God, had successfully led the children of Israel against the Canaanites, and had been victorious, that the Israelites would tell him that he could pick any spot he wanted in which to settle. But that is not what happened. The Israelites did not offer him the choice spots in which to settle. Joshua made his own choice. It was a place called Timnath-serah. It was about eleven miles from Shiloh. It was a barren place, and one of the worst spots Joshua could have chosen. It reminds me of Abraham and Lot when they returned from the land of Egypt. Abraham said to Lot, "You can pick any section you want and I will take what is left of this land." Lot took the very best and left Abraham holding the bag. The incident shows the character of these men. Joshua chose land that was similar to the backside of the desert. This is certainly a revelation of his character. It also reveals something about the Israelites. They were perfectly willing to let this man of God have a small, barren place as his portion.
Here's what "Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary" says concerning this issue:
19:17-51 Joshua waited till all the tribes were settled, before he asked any provision for himself. He was content to be unfixed, till he saw them all placed, and herein is an example to all in public places, to prefer the common welfare before private advantage. Those who labour most to do good to others, seek an inheritance in the Canaan above: but it will be soon enough to enter thereon, when they have done all the service to their brethren of which they are capable. Nor can any thing more effectually assure them of their title to it, than endeavouring to bring others to desire, to seek, and to obtain it. Our Lord Jesus came and dwelt on earth, not in pomp but poverty, providing rest for man, yet himself not having where to lay His head; for Christ pleased not Himself. Nor would He enter upon His inheritance, till by His obedience to death He secured the eternal inheritance for all His people; nor will He account His own glory completed, till every ransomed sinner is put in possession of His heavenly rest.
Here's what "Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible" says concerning this issue:
According to the word of the Lord,.... Or mouth of the Lord; either according to the oracle of Urim and Thummim, which Eleazar consulted on this occasion; or according to what the Lord had said to Moses, at the same time that Hebron was ordered to Caleb, Joshua 14:6; and they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in Mount Ephraim; he chose a place in his own tribe, for he was of the tribe of Ephraim; and it seems that what he chose was none of the best of places; for Paula, as Jerom (i) relates, when she travelled into those parts, wondered that the distributor of the possessions of the children of Israel should choose such a rough and mountainous place for himself; of its situation, see Joshua 24:30,
and he built the city, and dwelt therein; he rebuilt it, and fitted it for his own habitation, and for those that belonged to him. (Timnathserah means "an abundant portion" or "a place in the sun". Joshua's great reward was in seeing the promises of God fulfilled before his very eyes Joshua 21:45 and the children of Israel serving the Lord's during his lifetime Joshua 24:31. Joshua may have received but a small inheritance in the promised land but this was just an earnest of his future glorious inheritance in eternity. The saints of God have the best portion saved for the last John 2:10 whereas the worldling has his best portion now; his worst is yet to come. Editor.)
The curiosity is that the Greek of Joshua is Jesus. Joshua of the Old Testament, though a sinner, and from the tribe of Ephraim (making him a descendant of Joseph), is another type of savior. Joseph was a type of savior in the Book of Genesis. Joseph portrayed that salvation was for all people when he became a savior to the pagan city of Egypt. Moses was a type of savior such as when his life was in danger as an infant and that he would deliver the people. Joshua now portrays a great character and a portrayal of Jesus too. The Lord Jesus Christ as the Joshua of Nazareth and Joshua of the New Testament fulfilled what the Joshua of the Old Testament couldn't.
Joshua could've had been arrogant and said, "I certainly deserve the best portion. Look, I didn't complain like the old generation did!" Instead, he chose a portion that God had allotted for him. He was careful to have God's priest Eleazar consult on occasion. Today, we've got pastors to fill in the office of the Levites. He chose but a small inheritance that reveals his character. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus didn't come in revelry. The angels announced not a king born in a palace but a manger. The Lord Jesus didn't have a parade of revelry but in poverty and like a prophet - a pillow a stone. A true prophet of God wasn't honored in revelry. They may get popularity until they spoke God's word. Anyone who claims to be a prophet but has the love of the world is no true prophet. Joshua chose a barren place that he rebuilt as his habitation. He desired to be close to God rather than to be close to man.
The character of the Israelites has been revealed. How often is it that the man of God is underappreciated. I would dare say a lot of these Israelites during his day were probably not saved. Judges 2:10 says that a new generation arose that knew not the LORD. It's a shame how they never gave Joshua any appreciation or at least to offer the best land. It was a picture of ungratefulness. Yet somehow, God used it for His glory. How often is it that the Israelites would later mistreat the people of God especially the prophets. The true prophets were God's speakers of the truth. The true prophets never got treated right in contrast to the false prophets. The Lord Jesus wasn't even welcomed by most people when He finally spoke badly needed truth for all to hear. This was a trend that would continue on and on in the Bible's historical saga. The prophets, the apostles, and all followers of God tend to be outcasts in Israel.
This pastor's appreciation month - do you really appreciate what your pastor has done for you? Do you appreciate God's pastor who has chosen not to live a life of luxury for your sake? Do you choose to follow a pastor who chooses hardship over luxury or do you follow a fake pastor who'd rather go after luxury than hardship? Joshua himself portrays what a pastor of God should be - a man who may not be perfect but a man who follows God's standards. A man who would serve the LORD even when all else will not.
See also: