God’s plan to deliver and grant rest to those who trust Him endures.
“So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.” (v.23)
This verse highlights the culmination of Joshua’s military campaigns in the land of Canaan. Joshua was Moses’ successor, leading the Israelites around the late 15th century BC to early 14th century BC, after Moses led the people out of Egypt (around 1446 BC). The reference to “took the whole land” points to the sweeping nature of the conquest, showing how Joshua, by God’s power, claimed the territories that had been promised to the Israelite people. The land of Canaan, comprising regions roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestinian territories, and parts of Jordan and Lebanon, was strategic in the ancient Near East for trade routes and agriculture. That Joshua could secure it so effectively demonstrates the fulfillment of a promise God originally made to Moses regarding the inheritance of this territory.
When the text says “according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses” (v.23), it reaffirms that the Lord was faithful to His own word. Moses—active in the 15th century BC—received from God the covenant promises that Israel would enter and possess the land. Joshua’s leadership played a crucial role in demonstrating trust in God’s covenant plan. By “giving it for an inheritance to Israel” (v.23), Joshua distributed the conquered areas among tribal allotments, ensuring that each tribe would steward a portion of the land. This allotment also served as a visible reminder that the Lord’s promises were being fulfilled right before their eyes.
Finally, the verse states “Thus the land had rest from war” (v.23), meaning that the major battles had concluded, and the tribes could now settle and cultivate their allotted territories. The land’s rest foreshadows the deeper rest promised in the New Testament, where Jesus offers spiritual rest for the weary (Hebrews 4:8-10). While Joshua secured a temporal rest for Israel, Jesus brings eternal rest for believers who place their faith in Him.
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Joshua 11:23 meaning
“So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.” (v.23)
This verse highlights the culmination of Joshua’s military campaigns in the land of Canaan. Joshua was Moses’ successor, leading the Israelites around the late 15th century BC to early 14th century BC, after Moses led the people out of Egypt (around 1446 BC). The reference to “took the whole land” points to the sweeping nature of the conquest, showing how Joshua, by God’s power, claimed the territories that had been promised to the Israelite people. The land of Canaan, comprising regions roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestinian territories, and parts of Jordan and Lebanon, was strategic in the ancient Near East for trade routes and agriculture. That Joshua could secure it so effectively demonstrates the fulfillment of a promise God originally made to Moses regarding the inheritance of this territory.
When the text says “according to all that the LORD had spoken to Moses” (v.23), it reaffirms that the Lord was faithful to His own word. Moses—active in the 15th century BC—received from God the covenant promises that Israel would enter and possess the land. Joshua’s leadership played a crucial role in demonstrating trust in God’s covenant plan. By “giving it for an inheritance to Israel” (v.23), Joshua distributed the conquered areas among tribal allotments, ensuring that each tribe would steward a portion of the land. This allotment also served as a visible reminder that the Lord’s promises were being fulfilled right before their eyes.
Finally, the verse states “Thus the land had rest from war” (v.23), meaning that the major battles had concluded, and the tribes could now settle and cultivate their allotted territories. The land’s rest foreshadows the deeper rest promised in the New Testament, where Jesus offers spiritual rest for the weary (Hebrews 4:8-10). While Joshua secured a temporal rest for Israel, Jesus brings eternal rest for believers who place their faith in Him.