After all the tribes of Is'ra-el had been allotted their territories, and the borders of each had been clearly defined, a special inheritance was given to Josh'u-a. He had been foremost in the service of his country, but was last to receive a reward. Not until he had brought the whole nation into rich possessions would he accept a home for himself. The same meek spirit which had dominated his entire service in the wars of Is'ra-el prevailed in the division of the land which had been conquered.
He asked of the High Priest E-le-a'zar and of the people that he be given the city of Tim'nath, an obscure place in the heart of the mountains of E'phra-im. Its chief fame in history is that it was founded and built by Josh'u-a, and that his body was buried in its vicinity.
With the smile of God upon him, with the satisfaction of having done his work well, and with the gratitude of Is'ra-el for his faithful services, Josh'u-a retired to this quiet mountain home to spend his declining years. He was then about ninety-three years old, and for forty-seven years all his energy had been devoted to the welfare of Is'ra-el. Grown old at last, and weakened by the toils and hardships of the war in Ca'naan, he was entitled to rest. He had built a nation for Is'ra-el, and now under the kindly Providences of God he was permitted to build a humble city for himself. His strength was renewed, and so much of his former vigor restored that he lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and ten.
Then his strength began to fail so rapidly that he knew the hour of his departure was near. In these moments of physical weakness his faith in God grew stronger, and his interest in the future welfare of Is'ra-el became more intense. He sent out an invitation for the elders, the princes and judges, and the leaders of various ranks in all the tribes to come to his home for a special message. A prompt response was given to this invitation, and a group which represented all Is'ra-el gathered to hear his message. He spoke not of the perpetuation of his own honor, but only of the preservation of Is'ra-el's integrity and faithfulness to God.
In recounting his past services for Is'ra-el he boasted of nothing which he had done, but called attention to the miraculous manner in which God had fought for Is'ra-el. Nowhere in his message was there a word of self-esteem or self-praise. He spoke of himself only as a servant of God, and gave all honor to God as the Captain of the host of Is'ra-el. Every victory he had won was credited to the guidance and power of God. He had done nothing, but God had done everything.
