(18:1-2) The Tabernacle is Moved to Shiloh - With most of the conquest behind them, the Israelites moved their religious center from Gilgal (see the note on 5:8-9) to Shiloh. This was probably the first permanent location for the tabernacle. Its central location in the land made it easier for the people to attend the special worship services and yearly feasts. Later, the family of Samuel, a great priest and prophet, would travel annually to Shiloh, and on one trip when Samuel was a small boy, he would be left there to stay with Eli the priest (1 Samuel 1:3, 22). The tabernacle would remain in Shiloh through the period of the judges (about 300 years). Apparently the city was destroyed by the Philistines when the ark of the covenant was captured (1 Samuel 4-5). Shiloh never lived up to its reputation as Israel's religious center, for later references in the Bible point to the wickedness and idolatry in the city (Psalm 78:56-60; Jeremiah 7:12-15)

(18:2-10) The Other Seven are Given their Land - Seven of the tribes had not yet been assigned their land. They gathered at Shiloh, where Joshua cast lots to determine which areas would be given to them. Using this sacred lottery, the choice would be made by God, not Joshua or any other human leader. By this time, the Canaanites had, in most places, become so weakened that they were no longer a threat. However, instead of fulfilling God's command to destroy the remaining Canaanites, these seven tribes would often take the path of least resistance. As nomadic people, they may have been reluctant to settle down, preferring to depend economically on the people they were supposed to eliminate. Others may have feared the high cost of continued warfare. Trading for goods was easier and more profitable than destroying the suppliers and having to provide for themselves. The hesitancy of the remaining seven tribes is a good metaphor for how we can sometimes treat our own lives. Instead of seizing the moment, we can be lazy or afraid, so we wait around and question what God really wants for us. Usually, the good things God has promised us already--like a deep relationship with him and freedom from what weighs us down-are there for the taking, and we simply need to step out in faith to take possession of them.

(18:3-6) A Sign of Procrastination - Joshua asked why some of the tribes were putting off the job of possessing the land. Often we delay doing work that seems overwhelming, difficult, boring, or disagreeable. Work we don't enjoy can require concentration, teamwork, time, encouragement, and accountability. But to continue putting it off shows lack of discipline, poor stewardship of time, and, in some cases, disobedience to God. Remember this when you are tempted to procrastinate or give up.

(18:8) God Distributes the Other Land - Making decisions by casting lots was a common practice among the Hebrews. Little is known about the actual method used in Joshua's day. A type of dice may have been used. Another possibility is that two urns were used, one containing tribal names and the other the divisions of the land. Drawing one name from each urn matched a tribe to a region. The Urim and Thummim (explained in the note on Leviticus 8:8) may also have been used. No matter how it was done, the process removed human choice from the decision making and allowed God to match tribes and lands as he saw fit.

(18:11-20) The Tribe of Benjamin Given Land -The tribe of Benjamin was given a narrow strip of land that served as a buffer zone between Judah and Ephraim, the two tribes that would later dominate the land.

(18:16) Judgement on Hinnom - The valley of the son of Hinnom became associated with the worship of the Ammonite god Molech in Jeremiah's time. The terrible worship rites involved sacrificing children. Later the valley was used for burning garbage and the corpses of criminals and animals. Thus its name became a synonym for hell.

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Joshua with Chapter 18 and we see the Dividing of the Promised land. Today we see the beginning of the remaining land to be distributed to the remaining 7 tribes by the casting of lots. What catches my eye is Joshua asking some of the tribes why they were not possessing the land they were given. In this section, it wasn't a lack of faith but rather a slothfulness to do the work needed to accomplish what was instructed of them. In making application we see the need to be diligent and not slothful when it comes to our Christian lives. We must act on opportunities as the Lord opens doors. It reminds me of many I counsel that have lost their jobs due to the down economy. They tell me they pray and have faith but when it comes to filling out applications, making contacts, sending resumes they tend to have a lack of activity. We must have faith but also follow the principals of seeking and knocking to find answers when it comes to seeing the Lord work in our lives. How about you? Are you diligent in following the instruction of the Lord? Let us learn from today's text and be diligent in following the instruction of our Lord.