Someone among the children of Israel on the west side of the Jordan River noticed that the tribes on the east side had built an altar at the Jordan River frontier. They reported it to Phinehas the priest, who took representatives of all the tribes and arrayed in battle formation to go to war against … Continue reading An Altar at Jordan and Joshua’s Goodbye (Joshua 22:10 – 23:16)
Eastern Tribes Released to their Inheritance (Joshua 22:1 – 9)
Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh and commended them for obeying God, Moses, and him in taking the land from the Canaanites alongside of their brethren. He then released them to return to their land East of the Jordan. His only instruction was to obey all that the Lord had … Continue reading Eastern Tribes Released to their Inheritance (Joshua 22:1 – 9)
Cities of the Levites (Joshua 21)
The children of Israel, as commanded by the Lord through Moses, gave cities to the Levites from within their inheritance. This way, the Levites would be able to live within the inheritance of each of the tribes, and do service in the faith tradition of the Jews. They received a total of 48 cities with … Continue reading Cities of the Levites (Joshua 21)
Joshua’s Space and the Cities of Refuge (Joshua 19:49 – 20:9)
At the tabernacle of meeting, in the one-time capital of Israel's new territory, the city of Shiloh, the land was divided by lot. Each tribe received land according to its size, except the Levites, whose inheritance was the tabernacle and the work of the ministry. Finally, Joshua received an inheritance in the city of Timnath … Continue reading Joshua’s Space and the Cities of Refuge (Joshua 19:49 – 20:9)
Naphtali and Dan (Joshua19:32 – 48)
Naphtali and Dan received their inheritance in Canaan. Dan's territory included some Philistine cities, Timnah and Ekron, and it also included some land beyond what Joshua allotted them. Leshem was adjacent to Dan's territory, and they attacked it and took it. Dan did not drive out all the Philistines, and they were a thorn in … Continue reading Naphtali and Dan (Joshua19:32 – 48)
Issachar and Asher (Joshua 19:17 – 31)
You can tell the relative size of each tribe by the size of their territory and the number of cities they received. In this passage, Issachar received 16 cities and Asher 22. Issachar's cities were largely unknown, but Asher's include cities that had future significance in the life of Israel. It included Carmel, which was … Continue reading Issachar and Asher (Joshua 19:17 – 31)
Simeon’s Inheritance with Judah (Joshua 19:1 – 16)
The inheritance of Simeon was found within the inheritance of Judah. The only reason given for this was that the share of Judah was too much for them. Sometimes, God gives individuals, families, or churches more than they need. When this happens, it could very well be for a purpose: that the one blessed be … Continue reading Simeon’s Inheritance with Judah (Joshua 19:1 – 16)
The Land of Benjamin (Joshua 18:11 – 28)
Benjamin ended up receiving his inheritance between Judah and the children of Joseph. The cities in this territory included many with significance, such as Jericho, Gibeon, and Jerusalem. Benjamin was younger brother to Joseph, so it is appropriate that Benjamin would be next to Joseph's children. It is important to notice that Judah, the first … Continue reading The Land of Benjamin (Joshua 18:11 – 28)
More on Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 17:14 – 18:10)
Ephraim and Manasseh asked Joshua to give them more land, because they were such a large people. He granted them the mountain country adjacent to them, and the valley of the Canaanites, even though it was inhabited with giants who drove iron chariots. The entire congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh, and they set up … Continue reading More on Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 17:14 – 18:10)
Situations Related to Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:5 – 17:13)
The Ephraimites did not drive out the Canaanites who dwelt in Gezer, but turned them into forced laborers. Manasseh did not drive out the Canaanites from Megiddo and its towns. Manasseh also had one grandson of Joseph who only had daughters. They were provided an inheritance as well, which was not normal procedure. God instructed … Continue reading Situations Related to Ephraim and Manasseh (Joshua 16:5 – 17:13)
Devoted To You 