Why does God remind Joshua that he is old and stricken in years?

God’s words to Joshua about being old are not meant to shame him but to redirect his work. Joshua had spent his life leading Israel in battle, and now his strength for war was almost gone. God points this out to show that Joshua’s main task has changed. Instead of leading more campaigns, Joshua is to finish the work of dividing the land among the tribes. This reminder of age highlights human limits, but it also shows that God’s purpose goes on. Even when a leader grows weak, God still has work for them that fits their season of life.

What does it mean that there remained very much land to be possessed?

When God says there is still very much land to be possessed, He is talking about parts of the promised land that Israel had not yet conquered or settled. The passage lists areas held by the Philistines, Canaanites, Sidonians, and others along the coast, in Lebanon, and in the hill country. Israel already had many victories, but the promise was not yet fully enjoyed. This shows that God’s gift was larger than what they had taken so far. It also meant the people still had work to do, trusting that God would give what He had already promised.

Why did God command Joshua to divide the land by lot before it was fully conquered?

God told Joshua to divide the whole land by lot, including regions still under enemy control, to seal His promise and keep Israel looking forward. By giving each tribe its portion on paper, so to speak, God treated the land as already theirs, even if enemies still lived there. This kept the people from settling for what they already had and pushed them to move toward the rest. Those whose lots fell in enemy territory would have a special reason to urge the others on. The division by lot also showed that God, not human choice, set each tribe’s inheritance.

Who were the five lords of the Philistines mentioned in this passage?

The five lords of the Philistines were rulers over five key Philistine cities: Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron. They did not have one king over all, but several rulers over these strong city-states along the coast. Their lands lay in the southwest of the promised land, near the sea and toward Egypt. At the time of this passage, these areas were still in Philistine hands, even though they were counted as part of the land promised to Israel. God’s mention of them shows that important and powerful regions were still to be brought under Israel’s possession.

What is the significance of God saying, "Them will I drive out from before the children of Israel"?

When God says He will drive out the remaining nations, He is giving a clear promise that the unfinished part of the conquest does not depend on Israel’s strength alone. The Sidonians and the other peoples in the hill country and around Lebanon still held strong positions. God tells Joshua to include their land in the division, while He Himself will deal with the people who live there. This teaches that God’s commands and promises go together. Israel must move forward in obedience and effort, but their hope rests on God’s action, not simply on their own power.

What land areas are listed as still remaining, and why are they named so carefully?

The passage lists the borders of the Philistines and Geshur, from Sihor near Egypt up to Ekron, the five Philistine cities, the Avites, land of the Canaanites in the south, Mearah by the Sidonians, Aphek, the land of the Giblites, all Lebanon from Baal-gad under Mount Hermon to the entrance of Hamath, and the hill country up to Misrephoth-maim, with all the Sidonians. These details remind Israel that God’s promise was concrete, tied to real places and peoples. Naming them made clear what God was giving and what Israel should still expect Him to hand over in time.

How does this passage show the shift in Joshua’s role from warrior to administrator?

Earlier in his life, Joshua led Israel in open battle against many kings. Here, God does not call him to more warfare but to organize the future. Joshua is old and cannot keep leading campaigns, yet God still has work for him. He is now to divide the land as an inheritance by lot among the nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh west of the Jordan. This means planning, assigning borders, and confirming what had already been given east of the Jordan. His service changes shape, but it still matters for how Israel will live in the land.

What does this passage teach about God’s promises when His servants grow weak or die?

This passage shows that God’s promises are not limited by the life or strength of any one leader. Joshua is near the end of his days, and much land is still in enemy hands. Yet God speaks as if the full inheritance is sure. He tells Joshua to divide all the land, trusting that God Himself will drive out the nations. This means God’s plan does not fail when a servant grows old or passes away. Human leaders change, but God’s word remains the same. His people are called to act on His promise, knowing He will finish what He began.

How can the idea of “unpossessed land” apply to a believer’s life today?

The passage speaks of large parts of the promised land still unpossessed, though already given by God. In a similar way, believers may have many blessings and duties that God has promised or laid out, but which they have not yet entered into. This can include growth in holiness, faith, or service that is still ahead. The text encourages a mindset that does not settle with what has already been gained, but keeps pressing on, trusting God’s help. Just as Israel had to move into the land God promised, believers are called to pursue what God has already said is theirs in Him.

Why might this passage feel difficult when it speaks of lands that Israel never fully possessed?

This passage can feel difficult because God names many regions as Israel’s inheritance, yet history shows that Israel never fully drove out several of these peoples. The wording here has been read in more than one way. On one hand, God truly grants and promises the land, and commands Joshua to assign it. On the other hand, the people’s later lack of obedience and courage meant they did not enjoy all that was offered. This tension reminds readers that God’s promises are sure, but human disobedience can keep people from entering into the full good He sets before them.

Josh.13.1

Joshua 13:1

KJV GOD

Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

Lands Yet Unconquered

Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baal-gad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephoth-maim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee.

Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

Cross References

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