Interlude

Joshua 10: 29 – 12: 24

• Summary of Israel’s conquest of southern cities (10: 29–43) & northern cities (11:1-5)

• List of the kings Israel conquered (11:16 – 12:24)

• Record reveals – It was the Lord who gave the victory

(10:30, 32, 42; 11:6, 8)– Joshua obeyed the Lord by utterly

destroying the enemies (11: 9, 12, 15, 20) except Gibeon

• Joshua’s strategy

– Conquer & divide• Fighting in foothills & mountains• Jews still defeated the kings & armies although

they were larger than the Jewish army

• The ownership of the land was by gracious act of God

• The possession & enjoyment of the land depended on the submission and obedience to God

• The Promised land, a gift of God’s love• The Assignments Made at Gilgal

(13:1-17:18)

– Gilgal, the center of operations for Israel–Moved to Shiloh as central location

(18:1)– System for assigning the territories in

Canaan (14: 1-20)• Eleazor, the high priest, & a representative

from a tribe casting lots (Num 34:13-29)• The system changed when relocating (18:1-

7)

– The two and half tribes east of Jordan (13:1-33)• Reuben, Gad, & half Manasseh agreed to

help conquer Canaan for inheritance• Buffer zone between the Jews & Canaan and

heathen nations in Moab & Ammon– Vulnerable to military attack & pagan influence

• Reuben, south (15-23); Manasseh, north (25-26); Gad, in between (24-28)• Lesson #1: Don’t be a borderline

Christian– The will of God is the expression of God’s love &

always the best for us

• Balaak’s advice to Balaam (13:22-232; Num 22-25)– Be friendly to the Jews & invite them to Moabite

religious feasts– Result: Jewish men tool Moabite women for wives– Violating God’s law– Satan as a serpent, not lion

• Levites had no inheritance (13:14, 33; 14:3-4; 18:7)– The Lord was their inheritance (Deut 18:1-8; 10:1-

8; 18:7); 4 times

– Devoted to teaching God’s law» Simeon & Levi: prophecy fulfilled (Gen 49:5-7)

– Two & half tribes west of Jordan (14:1-17:18)• Judah, south (17:1-18); Ephraim, middle (16:1-

10); Manasseh, north (17: 1-18)– Caleb received the first inheritance (Num 13:30)– Joshua received the inheritance last (19:49-51)

• Lesson # 2: Be encouraged in your pilgrim journey (Eph 1:3)– Caleb, 85 year old

» Received mountain» Secret of Caleb’s life: “He wholly followed the Lord God

of Israel” Josh 14:14)» Lesson # 3: We are never too old to make new

conquests of faith in the power of the Lord; never retire from trusting & serving the Lord

» Caleb providing for the next generation daring faith: Othniel & his daughter for field & spring

» Example of faith more available to his family than material

» Lesson #4: The older generation must provide for the next generation, not only material but mostly spiritually

• Inheritance of the rest of the tribe of Judah (15:1-12; 21-63)– Jerusalem wasn’t taken yet (63)

» Capital during David’s time (II Sam 5:6-10)

• Ephraim & Manasseh of Joseph– Sons inherited as well as the daughters of

Zelophelad (3-6)– Lesson #5: God wants all His children their

inheritance

» Ephraim & Manasseh complained because the Lord didn’t give them enough room (17:14-18)

» Lesson #6:It’s not their boasting but believing that gives you the victory and gain the new territory. Those who talk the most accomplish little.

• The Assignments Made at Shiloh (18:1-19:15)– Tabernacle moved and remained

until David moved the ark to Jerusalem (II Sam 6)

– 7 tribes not yet inherit the land due to lack of faith & zeal

–New system for allocating the land

• 3 men from each tribe to go through the remaining land & describing the land• Benjamin close to Mansseh & Ephraim• Simeon shared with Judah• North of Manasseh: Zebulun (19;10-16;

Issachar (17-23); Asher (24-31); Naphtali (32-39)– Zebulun & Naphtali: Galilee of Gentiles

(Matt 4:15-16)– Sea of Chinneroth: Sea of Galilee

» Chinneroth: harp; sea shaped as harp

• Last tribe: Dan (19:40-48)• Joshua received his inheritance last:

city of Timmah Serah (49-50)

• The Assignment of the Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)– Cities for Levites (Num 35:1-5)– Cities of refuge (Ex 21: 13; Num 35:6-

34; Deut 19: 1-13)• Murder & manslaughter (Ex 21:12-14; Deut

19:11-13)• 6 cities

– Westside: Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron– Eastside: Golan, Ramoth, Bezer

• No police to investigate• Law: anybody who killed another person

could flee to a city of refuge & be protected from the avenger of the blood until the elders

• Investigate the situation. The fugitive go free when a high priest dies• They visualize a picture of salvation in Christ

– “have fled for refuge” Heb 6:180– When coming to Christ for salvation no need for

investigation or trial for we know we are guilty & admit it

• Salvation is not conditional– Our High Priest never dies & we are secure (Heb

7:24-25)– Kedesh: righteousness

» By faith Jesus gave His righteousness– Shechem: shoulder

» Like a shepherd He carries us on his shoulder– Hebron: fellowship– Bezer: fortress or strong

» He is our fortress & we are safe

– Ramoth; heights» They dwell in heights even though they were

exiles, pilgrims, or strangers in this world– Golan: exile (Gesenius Lexicon)

• Lesson #7: You are not saved unless you flee to Jesus by faith. We are guilty & Jesus is our only Savior• Jews were guilty of killing Jesus Christ, but it

was a sin of ignorance (Acts 3:12-18 & Luke 23:24)– Manslaughter rather than murder (I Cor 2:7-8)– Now the whole world is guilty & witout sin (Rom

3:9-19)

• The Assignment of the Levitical cities (21:1-45)

– Scattered throughout the land so the tribe of Levi can teach the people the law & influence them to be faithful to God

– Places to live & pastures for cattle• 48 cities (num 35:1-5)• 2 lists : Joshua 21 & I Chron 6:54-81)• Each tribe has 4 cities

– Judah & Simeon: 9– Naphtali: 3

• Affirmations– God was faithful & gave the land to

Israel (21:45)

– God gave Israel victory over the enemies & rest from war (21:44)

– God kept His promises (21:45)

• The covenant of God, power of God, and promises of God are the spiritual resources we need as we claim the inheritance in Jesus Christ