Joshua 13-21

Last week we saw many victories given to Joshua by God.  We saw God’s awesome power when He extended the daylight hours so Israel could have a complete victory over the enemy.  God heard Joshua’s prayer to reverse the natural order.  Nothing is impossible for God!

 

Joshua 13:1-7 – More Land to be Taken

Joshua was old and well advanced in years.  He had conquered most of the land, but God told him that there were still large areas of land to be taken.  They would not need to fight for it.  God would do it for them.  They just needed to trust God.  God told Joshua to be sure to allocate this land to Israel as He had instructed.  Joshua was to divide up the land among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.  (Joshua 13:1-7)

Principle:  God will fight for His people.

When has God fought for you?

How has God conquered your enemies during your lifetime?

Joshua 13:8-33 – 14-19 – Joshua Divides the Land

The other half of the tribe of Manasseh, the Reubenites and the Gadites had already received their inheritance from Moses.  This land is described in verses 8-13.  Remember back in Num. 32 theses tribes were referred to as the Transjordan Tribes?  They decided they wanted to live east of the Jordan where the land was sufficient for their livestock.  However, they still would help the rest of Israel conquer Canaan.   Moses granted their request, if they promised to fight alongside the others.  They agreed and fought with Israel.  The Levites was not given any land, since their inheritance was the offerings to the Lord. (Joshua 14)  Remember they were the tribe of priests.

In verses 15-31 is the description of the land given to the tribe of Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh. 

The next chapters are descriptions of the division of the land:

Joshua 14 – Allotment for Caleb

Joshua 15 – Allotment for Judah

Joshua 16-17 – Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

Joshua 18 – Allotment for Benjamin

Joshua 19 – Allotment for Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, and Joshua

There are several passages that describe the inheritance of the tribes of Israel.  When we read these in the light of God’s faithfulness, we are encouraged.  We, too have an inheritance.  There is a place reserved for every faithful Christian in God’s kingdom.  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:1-3.

Will you receive the inheritance God has for you?

Will He call you His faithful servant?

Principle:  God has an inheritance for all of His faithful people.

Joshua 20 – Cities of Refuge 

God told Joshua to designate cities of refuge as He had instructed Moses in Num. 35.  These cities were for anyone who killed a person accidentally.  They could flee to these cities for protection from those who wanted to take revenge.  They would wait there until trial.  Then if they were guilty they would be put to death by the high priest, but if innocent they would be freed.

These cities were strategically chosen so that anyone living in Israel or any stranger could flee to them for refuge within a day or less.

 

These cities of refuge are like a picture of Jesus.  We are all guilty and have sinned, but we can go to Jesus as our refuge.  He will forgive us and keep us safe.  We must confess that we’ve sinned.  We don’t have to wait for death by the high priest.  Jesus who is our High Priest has already died for us and is now alive and intercedes for us with the Father.

Who is your High Priest?

Have you confessed your sins?

Principle:  Jesus who is our High Priest has already died for us and is now alive and intercedes for us with the Father.

Joshua 21 – Levite Towns

The family heads of the Levites approached the tribal families of each tribe of Israel and reminded them that through Moses God commanded them to give the Levite tribes town in which to live.  So each tribe gave the Levites towns and pasture lands out of their own inheritance.  The Levites didn’t need a lot of land because they depended on the Lord.   There were 48 towns in all.  By providing these towns it kept God’s Word and His commandments among them.

How has God provided for you this week?

Next week we will study Joshua 22-24.  See you here.

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