Joshua's Inheritance (Joshua 16)

As Israel received various inheritances, will we? Will some be priests, kings, mayors of cities, some rewarded tenfold, some fivefold? Let’s look at Joshua 16.

Did Ephraim and Manasseh choose their inheritance or was it by lot?

The lot fell to the children of Joseph from the Jordan, by Jericho, to the waters of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho through the mountains to Bethel, then went out from Bethel to Luz, passed along to the border of the Archites at Ataroth, and went down westward to the boundary of the Japhletites, as far as the boundary of Lower Beth Horon to Gezer; and it ended at the sea. So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance. (Joshua 16:1-5 NKJV)

What was the territory of the various clans of Ephraim?

The following territory was given to the clans of the tribe of Ephraim. The boundary of their homeland began at Ataroth-addar in the east. From there it ran to Upper Beth-horon, then on to the Mediterranean Sea. From Micmethath on the north, the boundary curved eastward past Taanath-shiloh to the east of Janoah. From Janoah it turned southward to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho, and ended at the Jordan River. From Tappuah the boundary extended westward, following the Kanah Ravine to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the homeland allocated to the clans of the tribe of Ephraim. In addition, some towns with their surrounding villages in the territory allocated to the half-tribe of Manasseh were set aside for the tribe of Ephraim. They did not drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, however, so the people of Gezer live as slaves among the people of Ephraim to this day. (Joshua 16:6-10 NLT)

Do the various churches of Revelation have different inheritances?

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life… He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death… To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna… He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations… He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments… He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God… He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne… (Revelation 2:7b, 11b, 17b, 26, 3:5, 12a, 21 WEB)

Will some have authority as mayors over multiple cities?

The first servant came forward and said, ‘Your money has earned a return of one thousand percent.’ The king replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good servant. Because you have been faithful in a small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’ “The second servant came and said, ‘Master, your money has made a return of five hundred percent.’ To this one, the king said, ‘You will have authority over five cities.’ (Luke 19:16-19 CEB)

Will some serve as kings and priests during the millennium, on the new earth or both?

You let them become kings and serve God as priests, and they will rule on earth. (Revelation 5:10 CEV)

As Israel received various inheritances, will we? Will some be priests, kings, mayors of cities, some rewarded tenfold, some fivefold? You decide!