Joshua 13:4
“on the south; all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the border of the Amorites;”
What does Joshua 13:4 mean?
This verse is part of Joshua's description of territory that still remained unconquered when the Israelites divided up the Promised Land. God is essentially saying to Joshua, "Here's what you still need to take," pointing to specific regions and peoples who occupied the coastal areas and their surrounding lands. The mention of the Sidonians (people from the coastal city of Sidon) and the Amorites helps us see that despite Israel's victories, pockets of other nations still held territory in Canaan. It's a reminder that God's promises often unfold gradually and that sometimes what appears to be a complete victory still leaves work to be done. For those of us in difficult seasons, this can speak to how God's plans sometimes involve patience and persistence rather than instant resolution, and how He still guides us forward even when challenges remain.