Joshua 13:2
This is the land that remains: All the territory of the Philistines and the Geshurites,
This is the land that remains
This phrase introduces the territories that were yet to be conquered by the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "remains" is "sha'ar," which implies something left over or remaining. This suggests that despite the significant victories already achieved, there was still work to be done. Historically, this reflects the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to fully possess the Promised Land, a task that required continued faith and obedience to God's commands.

all the territory of the Philistines
The Philistines were a significant and persistent enemy of Israel. The Hebrew term for Philistines is "P'lishtim," which is derived from a root meaning "to roll" or "to wallow," possibly indicating their migratory nature. Archaeologically, the Philistines are known to have been part of the Sea Peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. Their presence in the land was a constant challenge to Israel, symbolizing the ongoing spiritual and physical battles God's people face.

and all the Geshurites
The Geshurites were a lesser-known group, and their name in Hebrew, "Geshuri," is related to the root "gashar," meaning "to join" or "to bridge." This could imply their geographical position as a bridge between different territories. Historically, they occupied regions in the northeast of Israel, and their mention here underscores the comprehensive nature of the land yet to be claimed by Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Philistines
A significant group of people in the Old Testament, often in conflict with the Israelites. They inhabited the coastal regions of Canaan and were known for their advanced iron technology and military prowess.

2. Geshurites
A lesser-known group, the Geshurites lived in the region of Geshur, which was located in the northeastern part of the land of Canaan. They were not fully conquered by the Israelites during Joshua's time.

3. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites after Moses, tasked with leading the people into the Promised Land and overseeing its division among the tribes.

4. Canaan
The land promised by God to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the central geographical focus of the conquest accounts in the book of Joshua.

5. Conquest of Canaan
The military campaign led by Joshua to take possession of the land promised by God. This verse highlights the areas that were yet to be conquered.
Teaching Points
Incomplete Obedience
The Israelites' failure to fully conquer the land as commanded by God serves as a reminder of the consequences of incomplete obedience. It challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we may be holding back from full obedience to God's commands.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as the Israelites faced physical battles, Christians today face spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. We must be diligent in our spiritual warfare, fully relying on God's strength.

God's Faithfulness
Despite the Israelites' incomplete conquest, God's promises remained true. This encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness, even when we face challenges or when our circumstances seem incomplete.

Perseverance in Faith
The ongoing presence of the Philistines and Geshurites required the Israelites to continue trusting in God and persevering in their faith. Similarly, we are called to persevere in our faith journey, trusting in God's ultimate victory.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some areas in your life where you might be practicing incomplete obedience to God's commands? How can you address these areas?

2. How does the ongoing conflict with the Philistines and Geshurites illustrate the importance of spiritual vigilance in our lives today?

3. In what ways can we rely on God's faithfulness when we face challenges or feel that our circumstances are incomplete?

4. How can the account of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan inspire us to persevere in our own faith journeys?

5. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' interactions with neighboring peoples, and how can these lessons apply to our relationships with others today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 1
This chapter provides further details on the incomplete conquest of the land, including the territories of the Philistines and Geshurites, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to fully possess the land.

1 Samuel 17
The account of David and Goliath, a Philistine, illustrates the continued conflict between Israel and the Philistines, showing the long-term implications of not fully conquering the land.

2 Samuel 3
Mentions the Geshurites in the context of David's family, indicating ongoing interactions and relationships with neighboring peoples.
God Takes Note of Our ,Failing StrengthJ. Parker, D.D.Joshua 13:1-33
Joshua's Old AgeW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
More BeyondJoshua 13:1-33
On Progress in ReligionW. Jay.Joshua 13:1-33
Territory Yet to be Taken by the ChurchW. Seaton.Joshua 13:1-33
The Christian's WorkT. Guthrie, D. D.Joshua 13:1-33
The Uncompleted WorkF. B. Meyer, B. A.Joshua 13:1-33
Unconquered TerritoryCharles Vince.Joshua 13:1-33
The Land Allotted, Though not Yet SecuredR. Glover Joshua 13:2, 7
People
Ammonites, Amorites, Arah, Ashdodites, Ashdothites, Ashkelonites, Avites, Avvites, Balaam, Beor, Canaanites, Debir, Ekronites, Eshkalonites, Evi, Gad, Gadites, Gazathites, Gazites, Gebalites, Geshurites, Giblites, Gittites, Hur, Israelites, Jair, Joshua, Levi, Maacah, Maacathites, Maachathites, Machir, Machirites, Manasseh, Og, Reba, Rekem, Rephaites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sidonians, Sihon, Zereth, Zidonians, Zur
Places
Aphek, Aroer, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ashtaroth, Baal-gad, Bamoth-baal, Bashan, Beth-baal-meon, Beth-baal-peor, Beth-haram, Beth-jeshimoth, Beth-nimrah, Betonim, Debir, Dibon, Edrei, Egypt, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, Geshur, Gilead, Heshbon, Jahaz, Jair, Jazer, Jericho, Jordan River, Kedemoth, Kiriathaim, Lebanon, Lebo-hamath, Maacath, Mahanaim, Mearah, Medeba, Mephaath, Midian, Misrephoth-maim, Moab, Mount Hermon, Pisgah, Rabbah, Ramath-mizpeh, Salecah, Sea of Chinnereth, Shihor, Sibmah, Succoth, Tirzah, Valley of the Arnon, Zaphon, Zereth-shahar
Topics
Borders, Circuits, Districts, Geshuri, Geshurites, Gesh'urites, Philistines, Regions, Remains, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 13:1-6

     4207   land, divine gift

Joshua 13:1-33

     5235   boundary

Library
October 2. "Moses Gave not any Inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their Inheritance, as He Said unto Them" (Josh. xiii. 33).
"Moses gave not any inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He said unto them" (Josh. xiii. 33). This is very significant. God gave the land to the other tribes but He gave Himself to the Levites. There is such a thing in Christian life as an inheritance from the Lord, and there is such a thing as having the Lord Himself for our inheritance. Some people get a sanctification from the Lord which is of much value, but which is variable, and often impermanent. Others have learned
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Unwon but Claimed
'There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed, ... them will I drive out from before the children of Israel; only divide thou it by lot unto Israel for an inheritance'--Joshua xiii. 1-8. Joshua was now a very old man and had occupied seven years in the conquest. His work was over, and now he had only to take steps to secure the completion by others of the triumph which he would never see. This incident has many applications to the work of the Church in the world, but not less important ones
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The River of Egypt, Rhinocorura. The Lake of Sirbon.
Pliny writes, "From Pelusium are the intrenchments of Chabrias: mount Casius: the temple of Jupiter Casius: the tomb of Pompey the Great: Ostracine: Arabia is bounded sixty-five miles from Pelusium: soon after begins Idumea and Palestine from the rising up of the Sirbon lake." Either my eyes deceive me, while I read these things,--or mount Casius lies nearer Pelusium, than the lake of Sirbon. The maps have ill placed the Sirbon between mount Casius and Pelusium. Sirbon implies burning; the name of
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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