Dividing Canaan
A Study of Joshua 13-21
Introduction
Although this section of Joshua can seem tedious to read, it is an important part of the story of Israel. Scattered throughout are stories and events that encourage us to follow the Lord.
Joshua declares that the land is God’s gift. God instructs Joshua to “allot” the land - the method of distributing the land is through the drawing of lots.
Chapter 13 Dividing Up The Inheritance
Joshua was old and much land was yet to be possessed (vs 1). Woudstra suggests that since Caleb is 85 years old, Joshua is likely in that same age range. He dies at age 110. There is still a lot of work to do (2-6).
- What do you think is the significance of the word ‘Inheritance’ that God uses to describe the promised land? (7 “and divide it as an inheritance among the nine tribes and half of the tribe of Manasseh.”)
Hayford: Inheritance (Heb. nachalah) is a key word in Joshua, used fifty-seven times in the New King James Version. The fifty-one uses in chapters 13–21 highlight its special significance in this section. Canaan was Israel’s special inheritance from God (Josh. 13:6). Each tribe received an inheritance by lot according to its population; then each family in the tribe was given its inheritance. These allotments were to remain in the family forever and could never be sold permanently. Hence in the Year of Jubilee, any land lost through debt bondage was to be returned to its original owners (Lev. 25:10). To the Hebrews, the term “inheritance” had important spiritual and national associations that extended beyond the family property.
- It is mentioned at least three times in Joshua that the Tribe of Levi would have no inheritance of land. (Joshua 14:3, 4, 18:7). What is mentioned as being an inheritance for them? (13:14; 18:7) What do you think that means?
- Lots were not drawn for Reuben, Gad ½ Manasseh - why? (vs 15-32)
- In verses 22-23 we have a mention of Balaam.
Woudstra: The death of Balaam - here called the soothsayer - a title assigned only in this passage. The story of how the Lord frustrated Balaam’s intended curse and turned it into a blessing is told several times (Joshua 24:9-10; Deut. 23:4-5; Nehemiah 13:2; Micah 6:5), for this had been an outstanding act of God’s deliverance. The present verse recalls Balaam’s death at the hand of the Israelites (Numbers 31:8).
-What do you think might be the purpose of mentioning Balaam here? Was this also intended as an indirect warning against a possible repetition of the apostasy in which Balaam had played an infamous role (Number 31;16)?
-Why do you think the author includes so much detail about which land was allotted to each tribe?
Chapters 14 & 15 Caleb’s Faithfulness Rewarded
Creach: Caleb appears as a man of faith and courage, zealously committed to the Lord’s causes. His lineage indicates he is the son of a foreigner, a Kenizzite. Caleb, like Rahab, professes faith in an ideal way, even though his heritage is not pure. it increases the sense that the “outsiders” in Israel’s midst often are ironically more insightful and more zealous for the Lord than are the pedigree Israelites.
- What obstacles are in Caleb’s way of receiving his reward?
-Describe Caleb’s attitude toward the Lord’s commands and promises, and how he showed that attitude.
-Why do you think these events merit special mention in light of the whole message of the book? (Perhaps because Caleb was claiming Moses’ promise from many years ago. 21:45 Not one of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.)
Caleb’s brother is Kenaz. Kenaz’ son is Othniel, who plays a role in chapter 15.
15:13-20 Caleb and Othniel
85 year old Caleb outsources the taking of Kiriath Sepher.
Judges 1:12-13 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” 13 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.
Othniel was eventually one of the Judges, who led Israel in peace for 40 years.
Judges 3:9-11 But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them. 10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him. 11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.
Chapters 16 -18 Challenges of Taking the Land
Chapter 16 Ephraimites take their land. Canannites were forced labor, but not dispossessed.
Chapter 17 The Sons of Joseph have two complaints: What were they?
Not enough land
Canaanites still live there
What was Joshua’s suggestion? (17:17-18)
17-18 But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”
In your judgment, what attitudes toward God, self, and God’s gifts did the house of Joseph show?
Chapter 18
3 Tribes had not possessed their land. Joshua wonders what they are waiting for!
9-10 Solution to the problem.
Even under the great leadership of Joshua, the Israelites seemed to be hesitant about moving forward into the promised land. What would you guess were some of their fears and concerns?
Chapter 19 The Conclusion of the Dividing Up of the Land
19:49-51 Concluding the Dividing of the land.
Creach: Joshua 19:51 gives a final reminder that Joshua and Eleazar had distributed Canaan by lot. What does the dividing up by lot tell you about this entire process?
Chapter 20 Cities of Refuge
Creach: The cities of refuge are discussed also in Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:9-15; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; 19:1-13, and 1 Chronicles 6:54-81. The overarching concern of these texts and Joshua 20 is the shedding of innocent blood.
Three cities were named east of the Jordan (Golan, Ramoth, and Bezer) and three west of the river (Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron).
Woudstra: The rules for what one had to do when approaching a city of asylum are specified only here, and are not found in Number. 35; Deut. 19. The one who accidentally killed another was to halt at the entrance of the city gate and present his case to the elders of that city. The latter then were to receive him into the city and assign him a place where he could live, at which place he was to remain. The one who killed another may remain in the city until he has stood trial before the assembly (vs 6). He can stay in the city until that assembly takes place or until the death of the high priest in power at the time.
Lee-Thorpe: Also, the cities were available to everyone, to travelers and resident foreigners as well as Israelites (see Numbers 35:15). Their doors were never locked. It is not clear why the death of the high priest (20:6) marked the end of the killer’s exile. The high priest was anointed with the holy oil and performed the annual atonement sacrifices, so his death may have had some power to atone for accidental bloodguilt. Or, his death may have marked the end of an epoch, a sort of statute of limitations. Other possibilities abound
What important truths about God—His character, values, justice—do you learn from the institution of the cities of refuge?
Hebrews 6:18 says that we “have fled to take hold of the hope” of salvation in Christ. How is Christ like and unlike a city of refuge for us?
Why do you think the Lord wanted cities in each tribe inhabited by Levites?
They were students of His Word and men devoted to His worship.
Why didn’t He put all the Levites in one place?
Chapter 21 Levites Receive Cities from each tribe.
The Levites did not receive land inheritances. What did they receive?
Creach: Their inheritance came through their service in the sanctuary or later in the temple. They did have a need, however, for lodging and a place to pasture their flocks. The cities of refuge, listed in Chapter 20, are also identified as Levitical towns in Chapter 21. Hence the Levites may have overseen or played a prominent role in the institution of asylum for the one who killed unintentionally.
Conclusion of this section: 21:43-45
Next: Joshua’s Farewell 22:1-24:33