God’s promise to fulfill His word sometimes requires our willing participation, both in ancient Israel’s story and in our own.
Joshua 13:2 reads, “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all those of the Geshurites” (v.2). This verse takes place during a pivotal moment in Israel’s history when Joshua, successor to Moses, is well advanced in years (Joshua 13:1) and is instructed by the LORD to allocate the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. Calling out “all the regions of the Philistines” highlights the southwestern coastal territory of Canaan, an area that stretched roughly from Gaza in the south to Ekron in the north. The Philistines, who would remain a persistent threat to Israel (Judges 13-16), dwelled in these strategic cities located near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which allowed them trade and military advantage. Mentioning “all those of the Geshurites” indicates a region typically north of Philistia, an area near the southern border of what is now the Golan Heights, populated by a people group called the Geshurites. They were a smaller, neighboring kingdom, yet their presence made them a notable factor in Israel’s territorial matters.
In the historical timeline, Joshua would be leading Israel roughly between 1405 BC and 1390 BC after Moses passed away (Deuteronomy 34). By this point in the book of Joshua, much of the Promised Land had already been subdued, but “this is the land that remains” (v.2) signals that pockets of resistance and unconquered territory lingered. The proximity of these territories to vital trade routes and crossroads posed ongoing challenges. God’s command to list these regions served as both a reminder of what still needed to be accomplished and an assurance that His promises remained sure, even if the fulfillment was delayed by Israel’s incomplete conquest. This anticipates a future in which Israel’s faithfulness—or lack thereof—would directly impact whether these groups were fully displaced or persisted to test Israel’s devotion to the LORD (Judges 2:20-23).
In applying this passage today, believers can see a spiritual reflection of incomplete victories in living out God’s calling. While the land was promised, the people still had to take possession of it. This parallels Jesus’s exhortations for believers to trust in God’s power and faithfully do their part (John 6:29). Just as Israel was to continue what Joshua began, the Church is called to carry forward the mission given by Christ until every spiritual “region” in our lives is aligned to God’s will (Philippians 3:12-14). The “remaining” tasks and territories serve as a call to persevere in faith-driven obedience.
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Joshua 13:2 meaning
Joshua 13:2 reads, “This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and all those of the Geshurites” (v.2). This verse takes place during a pivotal moment in Israel’s history when Joshua, successor to Moses, is well advanced in years (Joshua 13:1) and is instructed by the LORD to allocate the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel. Calling out “all the regions of the Philistines” highlights the southwestern coastal territory of Canaan, an area that stretched roughly from Gaza in the south to Ekron in the north. The Philistines, who would remain a persistent threat to Israel (Judges 13-16), dwelled in these strategic cities located near the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, which allowed them trade and military advantage. Mentioning “all those of the Geshurites” indicates a region typically north of Philistia, an area near the southern border of what is now the Golan Heights, populated by a people group called the Geshurites. They were a smaller, neighboring kingdom, yet their presence made them a notable factor in Israel’s territorial matters.
In the historical timeline, Joshua would be leading Israel roughly between 1405 BC and 1390 BC after Moses passed away (Deuteronomy 34). By this point in the book of Joshua, much of the Promised Land had already been subdued, but “this is the land that remains” (v.2) signals that pockets of resistance and unconquered territory lingered. The proximity of these territories to vital trade routes and crossroads posed ongoing challenges. God’s command to list these regions served as both a reminder of what still needed to be accomplished and an assurance that His promises remained sure, even if the fulfillment was delayed by Israel’s incomplete conquest. This anticipates a future in which Israel’s faithfulness—or lack thereof—would directly impact whether these groups were fully displaced or persisted to test Israel’s devotion to the LORD (Judges 2:20-23).
In applying this passage today, believers can see a spiritual reflection of incomplete victories in living out God’s calling. While the land was promised, the people still had to take possession of it. This parallels Jesus’s exhortations for believers to trust in God’s power and faithfully do their part (John 6:29). Just as Israel was to continue what Joshua began, the Church is called to carry forward the mission given by Christ until every spiritual “region” in our lives is aligned to God’s will (Philippians 3:12-14). The “remaining” tasks and territories serve as a call to persevere in faith-driven obedience.