Joshua 16 and 17 continue with the allocation of lands to the tribes of Israel. The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim are many and need more land than one allotment each. Joshua encourages them to take land beyond the borders of the land they had taken in battle. They have already put some of the Canaanites into servitude, but now they are encouraged to take land by force.

In Joshua 18 and 19 the people set up the tent of meeting at Shiloh. Seven tribes still have not received their allotments. Joshua sends representatives from those tribes to survey the remaining land and determine the borders for themselves. Joshua and Eleazar the priest are given towns. The land is finally divided.

In Romans 14 Paul addresses some of the quarrels that have broken out in the fellowship. He encourages them not to judge the practices of others. All are doing what they are doing for the Lord and that is all that matters. He encourages them not to think about themselves but rather about the other and to try to live their lives without putting a stumbling block in their way. When they are together they should try to live in a way that will keep another’s faith from being injured. He says that the faith they have, they have as their own conviction before God. If they approve of what they do in faith then it is a blessing, however if they have doubt about certain acts feeling that it is not faithful then those same acts are sin to them.

Paul asserts that Jesus says that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for an individual if he or she believes it is. Belonging to the kingdom is not determined by those things that we do but by the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. One who serves Christ is acceptable to God and should have human approval. But we should pursue what brings peace to the community and building up of others. Those who are struggling with the behavior of others should try not to judge. Those who are doing the activity should try to refrain when in the others presence so as not to be a stumbling block.

This is an attitude that is a struggle for those of us who live with the concept of individual freedom. We all want to believe that we should be able to do and believe what we want. Unfortunately, many of us are not as accepting of others doing and believing what they want. Paul is encouraging all of us not to judge the activities of others but on the other hand to try and think about what others think when in their presence to keep peace.