For the most part, these chapters continue in the giving of the territory to the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 16, Joshua provides for the "Josephites", the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim. In time, Ephraim will become a powerful tribe and dominate the northern kingdom. However, for now they receive their lot. The end of the chapter mentions that they did not drive the Canaanites from the land but subjected to servitude. This is important since in the next book of Judges the Canaanites will cause problems for Israel.
Joshua 17 continues with the gift to the Josephites and the tribe actual complains that they are given too small a land, since they were favored by God in the story of Joseph. However Joshua gives them the option for more land but they turn it down since it involves having to remove trees and Canaanites from the land. The chapter ends with Joshua exhorting the tribes of Joseph to drive the Canaanites from the land, which they do not.
In Joshua 18, Joshua commissions a survey to divide the rest of the land in order to provide lots for the remaining tribes. Finally by the end of Joshua 19, all the land has been divided and Joshua recieves the town of Timnath-serah.
Romans 14
After much writing that is frequently confusing for us to follow, Paul writes a clear statement on Christian unity. We live our lives not for ourselves, but for others. Just a Christ lived for us, we too live for others as Christ does. If our actions lead to discomfort or confusion for our brothers and sisters in faith, then we must change our practices. All practices within the Christian community stem from the grace of God, therefore it is not our place to regard these practices with contempt. If god has welcomed them into God's household, then it is not for another to judge God's decision. We are not to become stumbling blocks to others, but we must affirm the Gospel that we have received through the Holy Spirit, that in Christ was are saved, not through our own actions and judgments.
If Paul was to be clear about anything, it truly is a gift that he is clear in Romans 14.
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