Cooperative Wisdom and Trust in God's Decision

“So the men went and passed through the land, and wrote a description of it by cities in seven divisions in a book; and they came to Joshua at the camp at Shiloh. Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord, and there Joshua divided the land for the sons of Israel according to their divisions.”
—Joshua 18:9–10 (NASB2020)

The book of Joshua records a fascinating moment in Israel’s history. Seven tribes had not yet received their inheritance in the promised land. To address this, Joshua sent three men from each tribe—a total of twenty-one representatives—to travel through the land, carefully describe it, and divide it into seven sections. They then returned to Joshua with their report, and lots were cast before the Lord to determine which tribe would receive which portion.

At first glance, this might seem like a logistical detail, a practical way of settling tribal boundaries. But if we pause and reflect, there are profound lessons here for us about cooperation, trust, humility, and God’s sovereign direction.

A Cooperative Task

Notice how the process began: three men from each of the seven tribes worked together. That is twenty-one individuals, each representing a tribe with its own needs, concerns, and expectations. They had to travel through the land, study its geography, weigh its potential, and agree on a plan that divided it fairly. This was not a solitary assignment, nor was it a contest of competing proposals. Instead, it was a cooperative effort.

We are told they “wrote a description of it by cities in seven divisions in a book” (v. 9). That meant gathering insights from all twenty-one representatives and weaving them into a single, unified report. Imagine the conversations along the way: “This region has fertile fields.” “That one has fortified cities.” “Here is a natural boundary that makes sense for division.” They had to listen, evaluate, and find consensus. The process itself required patience, humility, and mutual respect.

In our world today, decision-making often takes another form. We tend to appoint a champion for each interest group. Each party develops its own plan, and then the plans are presented, debated, and defended. The strongest voices, the most persuasive arguments, or the most influential parties often shape the outcome. Compromise becomes the goal, but cooperation is not always the spirit.

How different is the example in Joshua! Instead of rivalry, there was collaboration. Instead of competition, there was complementarity. Twenty-one men worked together not to push their tribe’s interests but to create a shared vision of the land God had given.

God Decides the Outcome

After the divisions were recorded, Joshua did not simply assign them. He did not rely on his wisdom or allow the tribes to negotiate among themselves. Instead, “Joshua then cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord” (v. 10). The final decision rested not with the men but with God.

This process is reminiscent of the ancient method of dividing food between two people: one person cuts, and the other chooses. The fairness comes not from self-interest but from accountability. In Joshua’s case, the accountability was ultimate—the Lord Himself determined the distribution by lot. The representatives divided the land, but God assigned the portions.

This balance is striking. Human responsibility and cooperation prepared the way, but divine sovereignty made the final decision. Both were essential. Without the careful survey and description, the lots could not have been cast. But without God’s decision, the process would have been open to strife.

For us, this is a reminder that while God calls us to use wisdom, to plan diligently, and to work together, we must ultimately entrust outcomes to Him. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33).

The Trust Required

Consider the level of trust this process required. Each tribe had to believe that the other representatives would treat them fairly in drafting the divisions. They had to trust that Joshua would handle the casting of lots faithfully. Above all, they had to trust that the Lord would assign their inheritance according to His wisdom and goodness.

This was no small thing. Land meant survival, stability, and future generations. Yet the tribes submitted themselves to a process that emphasized cooperation and divine decision-making rather than competition and self-determination.

Such trust is rare in our time. We are more accustomed to systems where each party defends its own interests vigorously, fearful that if they do not, they will be left with less. The model in Joshua 18 calls us to something higher: to believe that God Himself ensures fairness and that His people can work together in humility rather than rivalry.

Lessons for Us

1. Seek Cooperative Solutions.
   When facing challenges—whether in family, ministry, or community—it is tempting to default to competition. But Joshua 18 shows the value of working side by side, pooling insights, and crafting solutions together.

2. Entrust Outcomes to God.
   Planning and preparation are essential, but final outcomes belong to the Lord. Just as Israel cast lots before Him, we must surrender our plans and trust His sovereignty.

3. Value the Process of Listening.
   Twenty-one men gathered information and produced one report. That required listening well, considering others’ perspectives, and building consensus. True wisdom often emerges from the integration of many voices.

4. Cultivate Trust and Relationship.
   Such a process could only work if the tribes trusted one another and trusted God. Our willingness to collaborate is directly tied to the depth of our relationships and our confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness.

A Call to Faithful Obedience

The tribes of Israel could not receive their inheritance without participating in this process. They had to send representatives, walk the land, and record the divisions. They had to gather at Shiloh and submit to God’s decision. Faith required action, and obedience required trust.

So it is with us. God’s promises often unfold through our willingness to step into the process He designs. Sometimes that process requires hard conversations, patient cooperation, and a willingness to yield control of the outcome to Him. But on the other side of obedience is inheritance—the blessing of receiving what God has prepared.

Conclusion

The passage in Joshua 18 is more than a logistical footnote; it is a picture of how God’s people can work together with humility, wisdom, and faith. Twenty-one representatives surveyed the land and created a fair plan. Joshua cast lots before the Lord. God Himself decided.

The result was not chaos but peace, not rivalry but shared inheritance. May we learn from their example, seeking cooperative solutions, entrusting outcomes to God, and cultivating the trust and relationship required for true unity. For when we walk together in this way, we reflect the faith of a people who believe that God Himself orders our steps and secures our inheritance.