For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Some of God's people are waiting around instead of taking hold of His gifts — and Joshua gives them a nudge.
Today's Story
God's people set up the holy tent of meeting (the tabernacle) at a place called Shiloh. Now the whole community had a special place to come and worship God together.
But Joshua noticed a problem. Seven of the tribes still hadn't gone to take hold of the land God had given them! They were just… waiting around. So Joshua said to them, “How long will you wait before you go and take the land the Lord has given you? Get up! Go explore it, map it out, and receive your inheritance!”
So the people got up and did it. They walked through the land, carefully wrote down what each part was like, and divided it fairly among the tribes. Each tribe finally took hold of the good gift God had given them.
Sometimes God gives us good things, but we have to actually get up and receive them, instead of just waiting around. Don't put off the good things God has for you — get up and walk in them!
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Seven tribes were waiting instead of taking God's gift. Why do you think they waited?
- Joshua said, “Get up and take hold of it!” Is there something good God wants you to step up and do?
- God had a gift ready for each tribe. How does it feel that God has good things ready for you?