Week 67, Day 5: Refuge
Today’s Reading: Joshua 20:1-9
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
One of the things left to be done after dividing the land was to set up cities of refuge. God set up these cities as a place for a man guilty of manslaughter to flee to. Two conditions were given; he had to kill the man unintentionally and without hatred for him beforehand. If his situation met these conditions then he would remain in the city, kept safe from the avenger of blood and await his trial before the congregation.
Question: Why do you think God would set up cities for someone guilty of manslaughter? Knowing the conditions required before the manslayer would be allowed to stay in the city of refuge, how do you think these condition should shape our sense of justice?
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Week 67, Day 4: Dividing the rest
Today’s Reading: Joshua 19:1-51
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
After the surveying was completed, Joshua divides the rest of the land by lots. Here we have detailed for us who received their portion. Much of the land still remained to be taken. If you look at the map of how far they came into the land you will see that Israel did not take the land all the way to the great sea, rather they went about two-thirds of the way into the land and then went north or south. We are not told why this is but if you look at the geography of the land, Israel took the land until they came to the plains along the coast. Israel took the hilly inner region of palestine but did not push out into the plains along the coast. This makes me wonder if this is because of the comment made in 17:16 where they reference the iron chariots of those who live in the valley. In the plains or valleys the inhabitants would have had chariots to use in their warfare. This is another indicator that Israel was not trusting fully in God to deliver the inhabitants into their hands, no matter what weapons they had.
Also consider that within the tribe of Asher’s territory were two well known cities. Sidon and Tyre. Tyre is described as a fortified city. Certainly these cities would require determination to take and great strength if it were just up to man to overthrow them. But Israel had God’s promise that He would fight for them and with them. This truth had been displayed through their many victories and through the overthrow of such places as Jericho. What match was a fortified city to an army who captain is the Lord?
Question: What was left for the children of Israel to do now that they have apportioned the land?
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Week 67, Day 3: Surveying the rest
Today’s Reading: Joshua 18:1-28
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Apparently I had a lapse of memory and forgot to make the post yesterday.
Chapter 18 gives us another indicator that Israel was not doing as it should in possessing the land. We have already seen several examples of where they did not drive out certain inhabitants and where they instead used some as their servants. Here we have recorded that Joshua speaks to Israel and gives them a reproof because only 5 tribes have taken possession of their land. This makes it sound like the other seven tribes are not anxious to move forward and leave the camp at Shiloh to go and possess their land. I take this as a negative because they are not expressing any sense of being anxious to take the land for themselves. Joshua’s question to them was “how long will you put off entering to take possession of the land?”
We are told of 3 men from each tribe surveying the land and which portion Benjamin gets. So the men map out the land and then Joshua casts lots for who gets what. Thus no disagreements should come up that someone got an unfair portion of land or were shown favortism. They surveyed the land together, divided it togetherr but then who got which portion was selected by the casting of the lots.
Question: What could be considered important about the cities or location of Benjamin’s portion?
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Week 67, Day 2: Manasseh’s portion
Today’s Reading: Joshua 17:1-18
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Manasseh’s portion stretched over a large stretch of land. On the east side of the Jordan Manasseh’s portion included the regions of Bashan and Gilead. These areas were the northern portion of the land on the eastern side. We are told that this portion was given to the descendants of Manasseh’s son Mchir because he was a man of war. This region was on the frontline and would be likely attacked by foreign armies. It seems appropriate to give this portion to a man of war so that he would be accustomed to the hardships of conflict.
We have also told to us another account of the sons of Israel not driving out the inhabitants of the land. So far, this is the third tribe to receive its land and the third time that we are told they didn’t drive out the inhabitants. Not a good trend. I again will point to the problem with Israel not being “able” to take the land as being due to their lack of faith or trust rather than any problem with God delivering upon His promises. Here we have manasseh complaining about how strong the Canaanites are who live in the valley. They have iron chariots! After all this time, after all the miracles and great victories given to them and they still let appearance affect their determination. This is the same problem their fathers had when they first came to spy out the land. They saw a strong, tall, well fortified people and became distressed. How is Manasseh’s response now any different? Too often today Christians will walk by faith, being strong in their commitment but then some tempest or trial will come up that shakes their faith. Let us strive to make certain that our reliance in God is sure and complete. He will never leave us nor forsake us and He is always true to His promises.
Question: Why did Ephraim and Manasseh complain about their inheritance?
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Week 67, Day 1: Joseph’s portions
Today’s Reading: Joshua 16:1-10
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
We now have recorded the giving of Joseph’s portions of the inheritance. I say portions because Joseph received two portions. Both of his sons received a portion so he received two portions of the land. This again reflects Jacob’s favortism toward Joseph over the other brothers.
We have another statement given at the end of detailing Ephraim’s possession that tells us some of the inhabitants of the land were not driven out. This time there is no mention of not being able to do overcome them. Rather we are told that they did not drive them out and they were made forced laborers. This again reflects that there is something wrong with how Israel is taking the land. God had instructed them to remove ALL of the peoples and to not spare them, pitty them or make covenants with them. Here is yet another time stated where they do not remove them. In order to make these people forced laborers indicates that they subjugated them. If you can subjugate a people then you can defeat them. Ephraim was able to defeat these people, but for some reason they allowed them to stay. Violations like these will lead to God turning against Israel. They will soon not have the Lord fighting for them to drive out the rest of the inhabitants which will lead to further conflicts down the road. I can imagine Ephraim being willing to let these few people remain so that they may serve them. I can imagine that they reasoned that these people were few and would not be a problem. But when man begins to alter or stray from God’s commands there will be unintended consequences. They didn’t think about what consequences would come from such disobedience. Again, it is sad to see how Israel squandered a rich blessing from God (to deliver the land completely to them).
Question: If Joseph received two portions of the land and there are still only 12 portions given, whose other portion of land did he receive?
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Week 66, Day 5: Judah’s portion
Today’s Reading: Joshua 15:1-63
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
This chapter details for us the border of the territory of Judah. It is hard to follow the exact lay of the territory from just reading the description. But you can easily tell from the description that the lay out of the land was very detailed. I was also struck by the number of cities inherited by Judah. Remember that in the counting of Israel before entering the land, Judah had 76,500 men in it, Num 26:22. The territory of Judah is one of the larger territories.
We also have a note given in this chapter regarding Jerusalem. It is interesting to read that Judah was unable to drive out the inhabitants of Jerusalem. I wonder if this was because of some lack of trust in Jehovah by the people of Judah or if this was due to some plan that God was setting into place for later.
Question: What problems could arise later for Israel if the territories were not clearly laid out?
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Week 66, Day 4: Caleb’s Reward
Today’s Reading: Joshua 14:1-15
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
While in the process of dividing the land, Caleb comes forward to request his portion. Caleb was like Joshua, the only ones out of the 12 spires to speak favorably about taking the land. For his faithfulness towards God he was promised th land he had traveled upon. Caleb tells us some additional information about the timing as well. He was 40 when they first spied out the land and he is now 85. This means that they have been fighting in the land for 5 years now. I find it also interesting that he mentions that his energy and strength is the same as when he first entered the land. God had preserved Caleb’s ability to enjoy the land as well. God is good to keep His promises and to make it possible for man so that he can enjoy those promises.
Question: Who are the Anakim?
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Week 66, Day 3: Divide the Land
Today’s Reading: Joshua 13:1-33
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
By this time in Israel’s history, Joshua is an old man. The Lord tells him that much of the land still remains to be possessed. It is not clear exactly how much time has lapsed since Israel crossed over the Jordan. It would be reasonable to say that it is possible that the time was several years. We are then told some additional information regarding the land that was left to take and the land that had been taken by Moses. In a way this chapter adds well to the list of kings defeated by Israel in chapter 12. In this chapter we are told of all the territory that had already been taken by Moses. This adds well because it emphasizes how much God has done for Israel. Granting them great victories over their enemies. This could be a very good encouragment for those who will be tasked with removing the rest of the inhabitants.
Question: Why do you think that the land was to be divided up instead of keeping Israel together while finishing taking the land?
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Week 66, Day 2: The defeated kings
Today’s Reading: Joshua 12:1-24
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
Chapter 12 lists out for us the kings who were defeated under Joshua’s leadership. We will see that the defeat of these 31 kings makes it now possible for Israel to have control of the land to where they can divide the land up for each tribe. The job of defeating all of the inhabitants still lay ahead of them, and this task would be given to each tribe to follow through on in their alloted portion of land.
Question: What problems could potentially come upon Israel because they were so sucessful? What problems regarding the taking of the land did happen after this point in time?
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Week 66, Day 1: Numerous as the sands
Today’s Reading: Joshua 11:1-23
Some thoughts from today’s reading…
After Joshua was given victory over the five kings of the Ammorites, a group of kings from the north rallied their armies together. We are told that this army had as many people in it as the sand of the seashore (vs. 4). I am always impressed with the thought of things like this. Here Israel faces a HUGE army. They also have chariots and many horsemen. And yet Israel is able to utterly smash this army as well. There is no way that someone can try to explain away how Israel was able to have such utter victory over the inhabitants of the land. Their victory was nothing less than God granting them such victories. Remember that the nations inhabiting Canaan are all stronger than Israel (Deut 7:1). As we read through the conquest of the land, keep these things in mind. God is providing a series of great victories for Israel. These events of God providing Israel with these victories also makes me think of the time when Elisha was surrounded by the army from the king of Aram. His servant dispaired but Elisha told him, “do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then the eyes of the servant were opened so that he could see the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:16-17).
Question: How can we apply God’s provisions and fulfilled promises in this chapter to our lives today?
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