Explanation: The painting above depicts games of chance -- cards and dice. It was by lot (roughly equivalent to the use of dice) that the Promised Land was divided among the tribes of Israel (see verse 2). Here, however, the resemblance ends. This Promised Land "lottery" (Joshua 14:2; Joshua 18:6) was under the superintendence of the LORD, and he expressed his allotments for the various tribes by this means. The Scriptural principle is this: "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD" (Proverbs 16:33).
     The focus of Joshua 14 is the inheritance which Caleb received. However, the chapter opens with a reference to the previous chapter where an extensive list of conquered (and subsequently inherited) territories is given. The author notes that this inheritance was distributed by lot under the supervision of Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribes. Nine-and-a-half tribes had their inheritance on the western side of the Jordan River. Two-and-a-half tribes had their inheritance on the eastern side of the Jordan. The Levites had no inheritance except for 48 cities donated (Numbers 35:1-8; Joshua 21:1-45) to them by all the other tribes (1-5).
     From the tribe of Judah on the western side of the Jordan came Caleb to Joshua to ask him for a specific territory within the inheritance of his tribe. Here the lottery system was not used, the general inheritance of Caleb's tribe having been given previously by lot. As a preface to his request, Caleb reminded Joshua of his faithfulness to the LORD and of the promise of Moses to him that he and his children would receive an inheritance in the Promised Land. He mentioned that he received this promise forty-five years prior to the conversation he was now having with Joshua. This would place the conversation at about the year 1401 or 1400 BC, just five years after Israel entered the Promised Land. The Land, south and north, was now under the military control of Israel with various cities and areas still unconquered. Caleb notes that he was still as strong and as fit for war as he had been 45 years prior. He therefore asks permission to go conquer the as yet unconquered territory of the Anakims (6-12). Joshua blessed him and gave him the territory. It's chief city was Hebron where Abraham purchased a burying place for himself and Sarah (Genesis 23:1-20). It was part of the land which the LORD promised to Abraham Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:7-21. Moreover, it was the people from this area who were so frightening to the Israelites that they were dissuaded from trying to conquer the Promised Land until they had spent forty years in the wilderness. This did not dissuade Caleb, however. He conquered the stronghold of Hebron other cities of the Anakims. Afterward -- compare Joshua 11:23 -- the land had rest from war (13-15).

     ¹³ And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. ¹⁴ Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. ¹⁵ And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

---

Home | DAWN Forum Archive | Site Index

Tomorrow's Picture: TBA

     PARTICIPATION: We have 7 areas available (via email) for your participation. We are accepting contributions for Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image daily and invites discussion of the artist, style, or Biblical subjects depicted. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible for which we are accepting visual, auditory, musical, and written contributions on any Biblical passage or theme. Our goal is to have a community-made, online, Illuminated Bible.

Please Email Comments, Questions, and Contributions for All Areas To

AD LIB ARTS EMAIL
copyright 2014, Scott Souza