141 Now these are the territories which the sons of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan , which Eleazar the priest , and Joshua the son of Nun , and the heads of the households of the tribes of the sons of Israel apportioned to them for an inheritance , 2 by the lot of their inheritance , as the Lord commanded through Moses , for the nine tribes and the half-tribe e . 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of the two tribes and the half-tribe e beyond e the Jordan ; but he did not give an inheritance to the Levites among them. 4 For the sons of Joseph were two tribes , Manasseh and Ephraim , and they did not give a portion to the Levites in the land , except e cities to live in, with their pasture lands for their livestock and for their property . 5 Thus the sons of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded Moses , and they divided the land .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 14:1-5
Commentary on Joshua 14:1-5
(Read Joshua 14:1-5)
The Israelites must occupy the new conquests. Canaan would have been subdued in vain, if it had not been inhabited. Yet every man might not go and settle where he pleased. God shall choose our inheritance for us. Let us survey our heritage of present mercy, our prospect for the land of promise, eternal in the heavens. Is God any respecter of persons? Is it not better that our place, as to earthly good or sorrow, should be determined by the infinite wisdom of our heavenly Father, than by our own ignorance? Should not those for whom the great mystery of godliness was exhibited, those whose redemption was purchased by Jesus Christ, thankfully refer their earthly concerns to his appointment?