Dividing Lines
Dividing Lines
(JOSHUA 13—21)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Joshua 13—21. This lesson references chapter 10 in Be Strong. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Joshua had successfully completed the first half of his divine commission: He had conquered the enemy and was in control of the land and the cities (1:1–5). Now he had to fulfill the second part of that commission and divide the land so that each tribe could claim their inheritance and enjoy what God had given them (v. 6). (See Num. 34—35.)
—Be Strong, page 145
1. Which half of the divine commission do you think was more daunting for Joshua? What unique challenges would he face with the dividing of the land?
More to Consider: The word inheritance is found over fifty times in these nine chapters. Why is this such an important theme here? What does this say about the Israelites and their relationship with their God?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Joshua 13—21 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The Jews inherited their land. They didn’t win their land as spoils of battle or purchase their land as in a business transaction. The Lord, who was the sole owner, leased the land to them. “The land must not be sold permanently,” the Lord had instructed them, “because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants” (Lev. 25:23 NIV). Imagine having God for your landlord!
—Be Strong, page 145
3. Why is it significant that the Israelites inherited their land rather than winning it as spoils? What was the “rent” God asked of His people? What did God promise in return? (See Lev. 26 and Deut. 27—30.)
From the Commentary
Throughout the conquest of Canaan, Gilgal had been the center of operations for Israel. Later, Joshua moved the camp and the tabernacle to a more central location at Shiloh (18:1).
We don’t know Joshua’s exact age at this time in Israel’s history, although he could well have been a hundred. Caleb was eighty-five (14:10), and it’s likely that Joshua was the older of the two. Joshua lived to be 110 (24:29), and the events described in the last half of the book could well have taken over ten years.
The system for assigning the territories in Canaan is given in 14:1–2. Eleazar the high priest, Joshua, and one representative from each of the tribes (Num. 34:13–29) cast lots before the Lord and in this way determined His will (Prov. 16:33). When Joshua relocated the camp at Shiloh, they changed the system (Josh. 18:1–7).
—Be Strong, page 146
4. What does it mean to “cast lots” before the Lord? Why is this system used to determine the distribution of land? What challenges might Joshua face in this process?
From the Commentary
Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had agreed to help the other tribes conquer the land before they returned to the east side of the Jordan to enjoy their inheritance (Num. 32). They had asked for this land outside the boundaries of Canaan because it was especially suited to the raising of cattle. The fact that these two and a half tribes would not be living within God’s appointed land didn’t seem to worry them. Moses graciously agreed to their choice and let them settle across the Jordan. When we study the twenty-second chapter of Joshua, we’ll learn that while their choice may have been good for their cattle, it created serious problems for their children.
—Be Strong, page 147
5. Review Joshua 13:1–33. Why would any of the tribes choose land outside of Canaan? What risks were they taking on by this request? (See Josh. 20—22.) What does this say about their priorities? Why did Moses agree to such a request?
From the Commentary
Four times in these chapters, we are reminded that the Levites were given no inheritance in the land (Josh. 13:14, 33; 14:3–4; 18:7), because the Lord was their inheritance (Deut. 18:1–8; 10:8–9; Num. 18). The priests received certain portions from the sacrifices as their due, and both the priests and Levites shared in the special tithes and offerings that the people were commanded to bring.
—Be Strong, page 148
6. What other factors might have contributed to the decision to scatter the tribe of Levi? What were the Levites’ primary responsibilities? How might tribal responsibilities have affected their ability to serve God and teach God’s people the Law?
From the Commentary
The next tribes to be settled were Judah in the south (14:6—15:63), Ephraim across the middle of the land (16:1–10), and the other half of Manasseh in the north (17:1–18).
Since Caleb belonged to the tribe of Judah and had been one of the two faithful spies, he received his inheritance first (Num. 13:30). Joshua, the other faithful spy, was the last to receive his inheritance (Josh. 19:49–51). Caleb reminded his friend Joshua of the promise Moses had made to them forty-five years before.… This promise gave Joshua and Caleb joy and courage as they endured years of wandering and waiting.
—Be Strong, page 148
7. Read Numbers 14:24, 30 and Deuteronomy 1:34–36. What promises did Moses give Joshua and Caleb? How were these promises fulfilled? Read Ephesians 1:3–19 and 1 Peter 1:3–6. What do these verses tell us about our inheritance today? How do we claim this inheritance?
From the Commentary
Caleb was eighty-five years old, but he didn’t look for an easy task, suited to an “old man.” He asked Joshua for mountains to climb and giants to conquer! His strength was in the Lord, and he knew that God would never fail him. The secret of Caleb’s life is found in a phrase that’s repeated six times in Scripture: “He wholly followed the LORD God of Israel” (Josh. 14:14; also see Num. 14:24; 32:12; Deut. 1:36; Josh. 14:8–9). Caleb was an overcomer because he had faith in the Lord (1 John 5:4).
—Be Strong, page 149
8. What does it say about Caleb that he continued to seek challenges even in his old age? How can his life serve as an inspiration for believers today?
More to Consider: Traditionally in the nation of Israel the sons inherit property from their parents, but the daughters of Zelophehad saw to it that they weren’t discriminated against (Josh. 17:3–6; Num. 27:1–11). Why is this significant in the biblical narrative?
From the Commentary
Seven tribes still had to have their inheritance marked out for them, and apparently they were slow to respond to the challenge. Unlike Caleb and the daughters of Zelophehad, these tribes didn’t have faith and spiritual zeal. These tribes had helped fight battles and defeat the enemy, but now they hesitated to claim their inheritance and enjoy the land God had given them. “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man’s precious possession” (Prov. 12:27 NKJV).
At this point, Joshua and the leaders inaugurated a new system for allocating the land. After each of the seven tribes appointed three men, all twenty-one men went through the remaining territories and listed the cities and the landmarks, describing each part of the land. They brought this information back to Joshua, who then assigned the various portions to the remaining seven tribes by casting lots before the Lord.
—Be Strong, page 152
9. Why would any of the tribes have hesitated to claim their inheritance? What fears might they have been harboring? Why then did Joshua devise a new system for divvying up the land? What does this entire section of Joshua teach us about how we’re to respond to God’s generous gift of our inheritance?
From the Commentary
This long section in the book of Joshua (21:1–45) closes with three wonderful affirmations:
First, God was faithful and gave Israel the land (Josh. 21:43). He kept the covenant that He made, first with Abraham (Gen. 12:7) and then with his descendants.
Second, God gave Israel victory over all their enemies and then gave them the rest from war (Josh. 21:44; see 1:13, 15; 11:23). What the ten unbelieving spies at Kadesh Barnea said could never happen did happen, because Joshua and the people believed God and obeyed His Word.
Third, God kept His promises (21:45). At the close of his life Joshua would remind the people of this (23:14), and Solomon reminded them of it when he dedicated the temple (1 Kings 8:56).
—Be Strong, pages 156–57
10. After forty years of wandering, the Israelites finally found their God-promised home. How might they have received the affirmations Joshua gave at the end of this section? How can we receive these same affirmations today?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Joshua 13—21. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. How might you have reacted to the allocation of land as described in Joshua? Do you have a tendency to be thankful for whatever you have, or do you often wish you had more? How does humility factor into our acceptance of God’s generosity? What gifts from God are you most thankful for?
12. In what ways have you sometimes been a “borderline believer”—someone who would rather live outside the Promised Land than accept God’s gifts? What leads to a “borderline believer” attitude? How do you find your way back into the Promised Land? What attitudes or behaviors or habits help you to stay in the middle of God’s will?
13. Caleb didn’t retire when he got older—he asked God for more challenges. Do you welcome challenges or shy away from them? What do you hope the future holds for you? What would it take for you to be as bold as Caleb? Is everyone cut out to be so bold? Why or why not?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to take steps to accept your inheritance from God? Be specific. Go back through Joshua 13—21 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: One of the notable revelations in this section of Joshua is that the Levites didn’t get their own land—that they were instead told to travel between lands to be “salt and light” to God’s people. Think about the lands you inhabit—at home, work, school, or anywhere else. In what ways are you like the Levites? How are you currently being salt and light in these various “lands”? Think of specific things you can do to be that salt and light wherever you spend time. Then do those things.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Joshua 22—24. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapters 11 and 12, “And When the Battle’s Over” and “The Way of All the Earth,” in Be Strong.