Sunday School Lessons

DECEMBER 4, 2016

JOSHUA’S FAREWELL SERMON

INTRODUCTION:

1. The final two chapters of the book of Joshua consist essentially of two powerful discourses which Joshua delivered before his death. First, in Chapter 23 we have what might be called Joshua’s farewell sermon, which in all likelihood was delivered at Shiloh, since the proceedings of the previous chapter took place there, and because the Tabernacle of Meeting was there. Then, in Chapter 24 we have Joshua’s final charge to the people, which we are specifically told was delivered from Shechem. (Ch. 24:1)
2. In Joshua’s farewell address, which we will now consider, he began by reminding the congregation of how wonderfully they had been blessed with victory and success. He did this so that through the remembrance of past blessings they might be inspired and challenged to future faithfulness, and thus, they would enjoy continued success and happiness as a people.

I. JOSHUA CALLED FOR ISRAEL’S LEADERS TO ASSEMBLE AT SHILOH SO THAT THEY MIGHT HEAR HIS WORDS. (VERSES 1, 2)

A. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ADDRESS IS EVIDENT FROM THE FACT THAT A CONVENTION OF ALL OF ISRAEL’S ELDERS, OFFICERS, JUDGES, AND HEADS WAS CALLED TO HEAR IT. (VERSES 1, 2)

1. Only for the special feast days did these men come to Shiloh all at the same time. There is no indication that this assembly was in conjunction with one of those convocations.
2. No doubt all of these principal men understood the gravity of such and assemble at which Joshua himself would demand a hearing.

B. THE TIME OF THE CONVOCATION IS GIVEN IN GENERAL TERMS. “AND IT CAME TO PASS A LONG TIME AFTER THAT THE LORD HAD GIVEN REST UNTO ISRAEL.” (VERSE 1)

1. The dividing of the land had taken an estimated six or seven years after the fighting ended.
2. Joshua was in his mid-eighties when the dividing began. He died at 110 years of age, and this event took place in the last year of his life.
3. What is here said to be “a long time after” was, at best estimate, approximately fifteen years.

C. JOSHUA SOLEMNLY ADDRESSED ISRAEL’S OFFICIAL LEADERS, PLACING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ISRAEL’S SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE ON THEM. (VERSE 2)

1. He spoke to the judges, who were learned in the law, and whose officers under them were responsible to carry out their judgments. All human magistrates are answerable to God for how they conduct their office. This was particularly true respecting Israel’s chosen ministers.
2. He named the elders and appointed heads over the tribes. As we have seen in our study, these were down the chain of command heads over tribes (officers) and heads over families. (Ch. 1:10ff)
3. The noblemen and heads of tribes shouldered heavy responsibilities, especially in matters of spiritual leadership and communicating God’s Word to those under their authority.
4. Likewise in the church and in the home, the Lord places the responsibility of headship on the men, and thus, they are accountable to Him as spiritual guides.

D. JOSHUA’S MESSAGE WAS PARTICULARLY POWERFUL, SINCE THE TIME OF HIS DEPARTURE WAS AT HAND. “I AM OLD, AND STRICKEN IN AGE.” (VERSE 2c) “BEHOLD, THIS DAY I AM GOING THE WAY OF ALL THE EARTH.” (VERSE 14a)

1. Eighteen years or so before this it was the Lord Who reminded Joshua that his time on earth was drawing to an end, thus he must finish his mission of subduing and dividing the land.
2. Here it was Joshua himself, who feeling the infirmity of old age, and knowing that the end was very near, sensed the urgency of delivering some parting instructions to the congregation. (Compare Acts 20:25-32; II Pet. 1:12-15)
3. He also used his imminent departure as an argument with them, that they should give the more earnest heed to his words.

a) He taught nothing different than he had instructed all along, but under such circumstances, their attention to his words ought to have been the more intense.
b) May we as parents teach our children consistently, so that our dying words, though nothing different, may, because of the circumstances, be the more powerful and effectual.

II. JOSHUA’S MESSAGE TO ISRAEL’S LEADERS WAS MEANT TO ENCOURAGE BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE. (VERSES 3-10)

A. HE REMINDED THEM OF WHAT GOD HAD DONE IN GIVING THEM THIS LAND. (VERSES 3, 4)

1. God had been faithful in keeping His promise to them. He had done it for them. “…ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done…because of you.” God had fought for them. “Faithful is He who hath promised.”
2. Joshua had in faith divided to them the land according to the Lord’s revealed will. (Verse 4) There was nothing lacking to this point of what God had said He would do, and no reason to doubt that He would finish the job.
3. Joshua was speaking particularly of what the Lord had done for them under his leadership. However, he was soon to be called home, and would no longer be there to lead them. He would remind them that though he was leaving God was not. There was no reason why God’s blessing should not continue, provided they remained faithful to Him.
4. God uses good men, but no man, not even one so great as Joshua, is indispensable. Thus, Joshua spoke not of what he had done, but of what God had done. Thus, there was nothing to prevent their future success.

B. HE ASSURED THEM THAT ALL OF THE NATIONS THAT REMAINED WHOSE LANDS HAD BEEN ALLOTTED TO THEM, WOULD BE DRIVEN OUT. (VERSES 4, 5)

1. All that the Lord had promised had not fully come to pass yet. (Verse 4)
2. What better assurance could they want than to consider what He had already done? (Verse 3, 9)
3. Again, their continued success was not dependent upon their human leadership, but upon God. This is not to deny Joshua any of the honor and respect that is due him as the Lord’s anointed, but it is, after all, Joshua, who is here assuring them that his death need not hinder their success.

C. HE MADE CLEAR TO THEM THAT VICTORY WOULD COME IN THE WAY OF OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD. (VERSES 6-8)

1. The only barrier to success would be their own failure in faithfulness to God.
2. There was no additional condition. They were to courageously keep up good religion, just as they had done before. (Verse 6)
3. They were to be very careful not to become distracted, and not to be lured away from the path of obedience. “Turn not…to the right hand or to the left.”
4. They were not to mingle with idolaters, or become acquainted with idolatry. (Verse 7)

a) They were not even to take the names of false gods on their lips.
b) Many professing Christians seem to have a vast knowledge about people and things that are idolized by the world, and they sometimes speak of them all too fondly.

5. They were to continue to cleave unto the Lord, leaving no room for any rival god. (Verse 8) They must hold to Him, delight in Him, and depend upon Him.

D. HE REITERATED WHAT THE KEY TO THEIR SUCCESS WOULD BE. (VERSES 9, 10)

1. As they held to, delighted in, and depended on the Lord, He drove out their strong enemies, and at the same time, was a wall of protection about them. (Verse 9)
2. As for the future, God would remain faithful in enabling them to do the impossible. “One man of you shall chase a thousand.” (Verse 10)

a) How true this had been with respect to past victories. (Chapters 10, 11)
b) It would yet be so, as long as the people would remain true to the Lord.

III. JOSHUA CONCLUDED HIS MESSAGE WITH A FAIR WARNING. (VERSES 11-16)

A. HE WARNED AGAINST THE DANGER OF DISHONORING THEIR COVENANT OF MARRIAGE WITH THEIR GOD. (VERSES 11, 12)

1. They must guard against this awful sin by taking heed to themselves, not allowing their love for the Lord to wane. (Verse 11)
2. They must drive out the heathen, allowing for no inner-mingling that might lead to inner-marriage, which would open the door to serving their strange gods.
3. They must allow for no compromise concerning these things; for to do so would be to break their covenant with the Lord their God.

B. HE WARNED ABOUT THE AWFUL CONSEQUENCES BY WAY OF PERSONAL LOSSES. (VERSES 13-16)

1. Forfeiture of the Lord’s help in battle, even abandonment to the enemy. (Verse 13)
2. God’s goodness would be replaced with evil and eventual destruction. (Verse 15)
3. The Lord’s anger would be kindled, that they should perish from off the good land.
4. We cannot, any more than Israel could, have our sins and God’s blessings too.
5. There was something very good at stake here. Three times we read the phrase, “good land, good land, good land.” (Verses 13, 15, 16)

a) Sin has a huge price tag. It will cost you the good land.
b) To choose to serve sin is to forfeit heaven itself.

NOVEMBER 20 / NOVEMBER 27, 2016

THE MISUNDERSTOOD ALTAR

INTRODUCTION:

1. Joshua had discharged the two and a half tribes from service, and they were then free to return to their inheritances on the east side of the Jordan. They had fulfilled their obligation to their brethren with honor, and thus Joshua’s words of high praise were spoken on behalf of all the people, who then blessed them and bid them a loving farewell. Though the Jordan River would flow between them, the brotherly love and communion they enjoyed could not be severed or washed away by its waters.
2. But then, all of a sudden, there arose an issue that seriously threatened that precious unified relationship to which both sides seemed committed. It appeared that the two and a half tribes had committed a trespass so great that the very people who had so recently spoken words of praise and blessing were now ready to take up arms against them.
3. As is too often the case when disputes arise among the people of God, there was on the one side a matter of careless neglect which coursed suspicions of impropriety, and on the other side a rush to judgment before discovering all of the facts. The two and a half tribes were not careful as they should have been to avoid the appearance of evil. The other nine and a half tribes leveled very serious charges based solely on what appeared to be.
4. Knowing how Satan delights to exploit these types of indiscretions in order to disrupt the spirit of unity in the church, let us be careful in both of these areas.

I. THE MISUNDERSTOOD ALTAR. (VERSES 10-20)

A. THE NOW SEPARATED TRIBES BUILT BY THE JORDAN RIVER A GREAT ALTAR TO SEE TO. (VS. 10)

1. This altar was built only for the purpose of being looked upon, i.e. an altar to see to, or to behold. It was intended to be an altar of witness.
2. It was built with the best on intentions on the part to the two and a half tribes.
a) Perhaps moved by Joshua’s earnest words of admonition (Verse 5), they wanted this altar to be a reminder to themselves, lest they or their children should forget.
b) They did not wish to allow their physical separation to be the cause of spiritual separation, thus they built an altar of witness between them.

3. This altar they hoped would serve as a constant reminder, to remind them of Shiloh and the true altar of the Lord; to encourage the faithful teaching of their children; to prevent their being disenfranchised in the future.
4. Thus their motives were good and even commendable, yet they were negligent and careless in what they did.
a) They ought to have been careful to avoid the appearance of evil (II Thess. 5:22), and to prevent their good being evil spoken of. (Rom. 14:16)
b) They should have seen the potential for creating problems, and therefore have taken proper steps to avoid such problems.

B. WHEN THE OTHER TRIBES HEARD ABOUT THE ALTAR, THEY IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE WORST, AND WERE READY TO TAKE THE SEVEREST ACTION AGAINST THEIR BRETHREN. (VERSES 11, 12)

1. They saw this as apostasy, thinking that the two and a half tribes had turned away from following the Lord, having rebelled against Him. (Verse 16) Instead of seeing an altar of witness to an unbroken communion, they saw a rival altar of separation and defection. (Verse 11)
2. The nine and a half tribes were ready to take extreme actions, if necessary, in order to put away the great sin of which they suspected the two and a half tribes were guilty. (Verse 12) This they would do out of holy jealousy for God’s honor, and also to turn away His judgment from the whole nation.
a) They remembered the iniquity of Baal Peor. (Verse 17; Num. 23:28)
b) They remembered the sin of Achan, and the curse that came upon the whole nation because of it. (Verse 20; Ch. 7:1, 5)
c) They were to be commended for their willingness to take such actions in order to preserve God’s honor and the nation’s purity. (See Deut. 13:13-15; I Cor. 5:7)
(1) They were ready to cut them off.
(2) They were ready to go to war, if need be.
(3) They were ready to rid the body of its infection, even if by amputation.

C. THE NINE AND A HALF TRIBES ACTED PRUDENTLY AND BIBLICALLY IN THIS MATTER, THUS AVOIDING A HORRIBLE SITUATION. (VERSES 13-20)

1. They did not act upon their suspicions, but rather sought to know for certain what this was all about.
a) Even if their brethren were guilty of their worst suspicions, it was their duty to try and bring about their repentance, and be reconciled with them.
b) To destroy them in battle was the last thing they wanted to do. Excommunication from the church is always a last resort.
2. An embassage led by Phinehas the priest was sent to speak with their brethren. (Verse 13, 14) Though the embassage included princes form the tribes, the fact that it was led by the priest shows that they saw this as spiritual apostasy.
3. The embassage sent represented the concerns of the whole congregation. (Verses 15, 16)
a) One prince from each tribe went, presenting a unanimous front. (Verses 15, 16a)
b) The whole congregation was concerned and offended by what appeared to be a turning away from and rebellion against the Lord. (Verse 16)
4. Phinehas reminded them of the severe judgment that Israel had suffered for their sins in the past. (Verse 17; see Num. 25:1-9) Baal Peor was quite a vivid memory for Phinehas, for obvious reasons. (Num. 25:7-11)
5. The necessity of their turning form this sin in order to avoid God’s wrath was insisted upon, and backed up by a recent memory. (Verses 18, 20)
a) He warned that for sake of their rebellion, God would be wroth with the whole congregation, and if they did not repent, His anger would soon be revealed. (Verse 18; I Cor. 5:6)
b) He reminded them of how Achan’s sin had brought God’s wrath upon them all. (Verse 20)

6. The sincerity of Phinehas and these princes is seen in the generous offer that was extended with this appeal.
(Verse 19)
a) He pled with the two and a half tribes saying, “if the land of thy possession be unclean,” (if your strange altar has polluted it) “then pass over…and take possession with us.”
b) He appealed to them to come over and dwell where the Lord’s appointed altar was set up, “wherein the Lord’s tabernacle dwelleth.”
c) They were willing to have a smaller portion, if necessary, to make room for their brethren. See how anxious they were to restore their brethren, rather than see them cut off. (I Cor. 5:5 with II Cor. 2:5-8)
d) This was good advice. If being separate was tempting them to sin against the Lord, then let them come back and be with their brethren.

II. A STRONG PLEA OF INNOCENCE WITH AN EXPLANATION. (VERSES 21-29)

A. THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES STRONGLY PLED THEIR INNOCENCE CONCERNING THE CHARGE OF IDOLATRY OF WHICH THEY HAD BEEN SUSPECTED. (VERSES 21-23)

1. They swore with God as their witness that they were not guilty of turning away from or rebelling against the Lord in erecting this altar by Jordan.
a) They said (literally) “The God of Gods Jehovah, He knoweth.”
b) Had they not been absolutely certain of their innocence they would never have made so dangerous an appeal.
c) They, in effect, called upon the Lord to slay them if this altar was not built for His honor. “Save us not this day.” “Let the Lord Himself require it.”
2. They assured their brethren that Israel would also know the truth about the matter. “And Israel he shall know.” Israel would know that this altar was not built in rebellion. (Verses 22, 23)
a) If the Lord spared them, then Israel would know.
b) If the Lord did not “require it,” that is, if He did not take vengeance, Israel would know that He was not angry with them.

B. THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES EXPLAINED THE REASON AND PURPOSE OF THIS ALTAR. (VERSES 24-29)

1. It was not built in competition with Shiloh, but rather for a witness.
2. It was not intended for offering sacrifices, but rather for a memorial and for a testimony for their children.
a) They feared that their children might in time come to be thought by their brethren to have no part in the Lord God of Israel. (Verse 24)
b) They were concerned that future generations might cease from fearing the Lord. (Verse 25)
c) Therefore they said, “let us…build us an altar…that it may be a witness between us.” (Verses 26, 27)

3. It was a good and honorable motive that prompted the building of this altar.
a) It was to safeguard against any future spiritual separation, or any exclusion from the worship of God with their brethren at Shiloh. (Verse 27)
b) They would be able in future generations to point to this pattern of the altar of the Lord, not as an altar upon which to offer sacrifices, but as a witness between them and their brethren on the other side. (Verse 28)

4. God forbid that it should be an altar of rebellion! God forbid that it should be an altar of apostasy! (Verse 29)

III. THE EXPLANATION HAPPILY ACCEPTED. (VERSES 30-34)

A. WE ADMIRE THE SPIRIT OF GRACE AND WISDOM IN WHICH THE EMBASSAGE CAME TO THEIR BRETHREN.

1. Zeal for God’s honor, if not tempered with meekness and love, can do damage to the church.
2. Many potential fires of strife have not been ignited due to a gracious spirit.

B. WE ADMIRE, AS WELL, THE HUMBLE SUBMISSIVE SPIRIT EXHIBITED BY THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES.

1. They saw that an explanation was in order.
2. A defensive attitude on their part could have caused this to end quite differently.

C. THE EXPLANATION AND THE SPIRIT IN WHICH IT WAS GIVEN BROUGHT WONDERFUL RELIEF TO THESE AMBASSADORS AND TO THE WHOLE CONGREGATION.

D. THE ALTAR WAS ALLOWED TO REMAIN, BUT ONLY AS A WITNESS.

1. It was given a name, “Ed,” which means a witness.
2. It was given this name so that there would be no more misunderstandings about it in the future.

AN HONORABLE DISCHARGE FOR THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES

INTRODUCTION:

1. Because Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of the Moabites, had refused to allow Moses and the children of Israel safe passage through their borders, God gave orders to destroy them and give their lands to His people for their possession. (Num. 21:21-35)
2. Rueben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh, seeing that these lands which lay east of Jordan were rich and well suited for cattle, and therefore ideal for their needs, put in a request to Moses that they be allowed to possess these lands for their inheritance. (Num. 32:1-5)
3. Moses, by the Lord’s direction granted their request, but with one very important stipulation, they must go over and assist their brethren in the conquest of the land before returning to their settlements. (Num. 32:6-22)
4. Moses, on that occasion, warned them that should they fail to honor this agreement, there would be dire consequences; which having heard, they took a solemn vow that, as Moses said, they would surely do. (Num. 32:23-32)
5. Much to their credit and praise, they honored their commitment to the letter. And now, after approximately eight years, Joshua called for them, commended them for their faithfulness, and issued to them “an honorable discharge” from their service.

I. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES TO RETURN TO THE LAND OF THEIR POSSESSION. (VERSES 1-4)

A. WHAT A LONG AWAITED REUNION THEY WOULD NOW HAVE. “Therefore now return ye, and get you to your tents…”

1. How they must have longed for their families, having been so long separated. How eager they must have been to see their settlements. Keep in mind, they had never known the joy of having a place of their own that was separate from their brethren.
2. Surely there was also much anxiety as they thought about possible invasions, loss of lives, cattle, crops, etc.
3. Many things had been on their minds while they were away, yet, being good soldiers, they did not take their leave until their captain discharged them. (II Tim. 2:3, 4)
4. We may long for our heavenly home, yet we cannot take our leave until our warfare is accomplished, and our Commander calls us home. (II Tim. 4:7, 8)
5. Of all people, only a Christian has a legitimate reason to desire an early departure from this world (Phil. 1:23;
II Cor. 5:4, 8), but he realizes that his purpose here must first be fulfilled. (Phil. 1:24-26)

B. HOW PATIENTLY THESE GOOD SOLDIERS HAD AWAITED THEIR DISMISSAL. “THEN Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.”

1. Even though the actual fighting had ended a good while before, still they had not come forward to request their leave, but rather waited for Joshua’s call.
2. Even though they had been first in the assignment of their portions (Num. 32) also been first to receive the allotment of them (Josh. 13), they would be last in the enjoyment of them. (Matt. 20:16)
3. Patience is a beautiful virtue so wonderfully exemplified in these men. (James 5:7, 8)

II. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES WITH WORDS OF PRAISE AND APPRECIATION. (VERSES 1-4)

A. THIS WONDERFUL COMMENDATION SPEAKS FOR THEIR GODLY CHARACTER. (VERSES 2-4)

1. Though their service was a debt and an obligation, and in the performance of it they had only done their duty, still Joshua commended them as men of true faithfulness and integrity.
2. Those that are faithful to their word and careful to honor commitments are worthy to be praised.
3. It speaks well for these people, who, having been paid in advance, as it were, proved their trustworthiness by fully and completely honoring their prearranged commitment. It was one thing for their leaders while viewing those plush meadows and flowing streams to say to Moses, “We will do whatever you require of us,” but it was quite another thing to remain true to that vow through eight long years of conflict and separation, which they did. Agreeing to years of monthly installments can seem like no big deal when the desired object looks so appealing, but long after the new has worn off the purchased possession the agreement is still binding.
4. Joshua could now say to the men of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, “Ye have kept all that Moses…commanded you.” (Verse 2)

a) These men of war were all men of honor. Joshua had not given to them a single order that they had not fully obeyed. “Ye have…obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you.” (Verse 2b)
b) Let us remember the words of Christ, our Joshua: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” (John 15:10) “Ye are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:4)

B. THEIR CONSTANT AND UNWAVERING AFFECTION FOR THEIR BRETHREN WAS TO JOSHUA SOMETHING WORTHY OF COMMENDATION. (VERSES 3, 4)

1. Notice, Joshua realized that the honor and respect shown to him could not be separated from the loyalty and love shown to their brethren. (Verse 3; John 15:12; I John 3:14; 4:7, 20)
2. Love for the brethren is evidence of our love for Christ, and it will be manifested in our willingness to bear one another’s  burdens. (Gal. 6:2)
3. It is to the honor of all who espouse Christ’s church to remain constant and faithful until God grants us rest from our battles. (Verse 4)

C. JOSHUA COMMENDS THEM FOR THEIR OBEDIENCE TO THE DIVINE LAW. Notice in Verse 3 he says, “Ye…have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God.”

1. “Ye have kept the keeping…” (literally) In other words, they had most carefully kept the commandments of the Lord their God. This is key to their good character, the point being, it was not only regarding their obligations in battle that they kept the commandment of the Lord, but they apparently consistently walked in righteousness in their part of the camp.
2. What higher commendation could they have received from their captain? He essentially said to them, “Well done good and faithful servants.”

III. JOSHUA DISMISSED THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES WITH A SOLEMN CHARGE AND A GRACIOUS BENEDICTION. (VERSES 5, 6)

A. AS A FAITHFUL LEADER AND FATHER, JOSHUA, PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE, GAVE GOOD AND GODLY COUNSEL TO HIS CHILDREN. (VERSE 5)

1. Having observed how they had “kept the keeping,” he admonished them not to let those things slip. He was no doubt concerned to see them separate themselves from their brethren.
2. Key to their happiness and success he knew was their remaining faithful to the Lord and His word. The secret to true happiness and prosperity is ever the same.

a) Heed the holy commandments. (Josh. 1:8; Psa. 84:11)
b) Love the Lord your God. (Matt. 22:37-40)
c) Walk in His ways.
d) Cleave to Him.
e) Serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

3. Joshua here sounds like a good Christian father who is sending his son or daughter out on their own. He knows that negligence regarding this duty will inevitably have serious consequences.

B. AS A FAITHFUL MINISTER AND FRIEND, JOSHUA EARNESTLY PRAYED THAT GOD’S BLESSINGS WOULD GO WITH THEM. (VERSE 6)

1. This benediction was not a mere formality.
2. Our partings ought always to be occasions of prayer.

a) Let us pray for the Lord’s presence and guidance, and keeping.
b) Let us pray that He should watch between us as we part company until we meet again, if not here below, surely in heaven.
c) Certainly Joshua would not see them again in this life.

IV. JOSHUA SAW TO IT THAT THESE FAITHFUL WARRIORS DID NOT GO AWAY EMPTY. (VRS. 7-9)

A. REUBEN, GAD, AND THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH WERE GIVEN A SHARE OF THE SPOILS OF WAR. (VERSE 8)

1. Though the land they helped to conquer rightfully belonged to the other nine and a half tribes, they still shared in the dividing of the spoil.
2. God had blessed them with abundance of spoil, and Joshua would teach liberality to all of the people. There is no indication that any of their brethren objected to this arrangement.
3. They were to take freely of the spoil so that they might share it with those who had stayed by the stuff over on the other side. (I Sam. 30:21-25)
4. Serving our Lord is a great honor and a great privilege as well as a solemn duty, yet He has promised rewards to the faithful (Mark 10:29, 30)

B. PARTICULAR MENTION IS MADE OF THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH REGARDING THIS MATTER. (VERSE 7)

1. Perhaps this was because Joshua felt a near kinship to them since he was of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh’s brother.
2. Or perhaps the departure was more difficult for them, since half of their tribe would remain on the west side.

C. HAVING RECEIVED THEIR FINAL ADMONITION AND BENEDICTION, THEY PARTED TO THE LAND OF THEIR POSSESSION. (VERSE 9)

OCTOBER 30, 2016

THE LEVITICAL CITIES (PART I)

INTRODUCTION:

1. In our study of this history, we have been often reminded that the tribe of Levi would not inherit with their brethren. (Ch. 13:14; 14:4; 18:7)
2. That did not mean, however, that the priestly tribe, whose inheritance was the priesthood of the Lord
(Ch. 18:7) would receive nothing. God had ordained a plan by which the Levites would have abundant provision. Through the faithful and grateful generosity of the other tribes, the Lord would not only provide for the Levites, but also see that the others were wonderfully blessed for their charity.
3. The Apostle Paul likens the care of the Levitical priests to God’s provision for His Gospel ministers. While we understand the comparison with respect to the matter of support, we happily recognize a radical difference regarding the nature of the two ministries. While the priest under the old covenant offered continuous sacrifices, all pointing forward to the true sacrifice for sin, Gospel ministers of the new covenant are blessed and honored to declare a finished work, proclaiming that Redemption has been accomplished by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the true Lamb of God, and that He thereby put an end to that old Levitical system forever.
4. In this chapter we see the gracious manner in which our Lord would supply the temporal needs of the priestly tribe. As they were called to minister to their brethren in holy things; their brethren must, in turn, minister to them in temporal things.

I. THE MOTION WAS MADE BY THE LEVITES THAT THEIR PROMISED CITIES BE ASSIGNED TO THEM (VERSES 1, 2)

A. NOTICE WHEN THEY MADE THIS APPEAL. “Then…”

1. Then. “When they had made an end of dividing the land by inheritance,” and “when the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua, the son of Nun.” (Ch. 19:14)
2. The Levites deferred their request until all of the other tribes had been provided for. In this they set an admirable example for all true ministers of God.
3. How incongruous and reprehensible it is for those who profess to be ministers of grace and truth to exhibit a mercenary or greedy spirit.
4. Their humility, modesty, and patience were indeed admirable, but these virtues were also grandly rewarded by the Lord and also the people.
5. There will occasionally be some among God’s people who would “muzzle the ox.” (Deut. 25:4;
I Cor. 9:9), but under both the old economy and the new, God would not have it to be so.

B. NOTICE WHERE THEY MADE THIS APPEAL. “And they spake unto them at Shiloh.”

1. Where God had now put His name. (Tabernacle)
2. Where the magistrates conducted matters of law.
3. Where the convention gathered. (Gen. 49:10)
4. Where Eleazar ministered with the urim and thummin, and God’s mind was revealed.
5. Let us bring all of our petitions to our SHILOH.

C. NOTICE HOW THEY MADE THEIR APPEAL. (VERSES 1, 2)

1. Publicly and openly. (Verse 1)
2. Based upon the promise of God. (Verse 2b)
3. They had their portions reserved, but it was not theirs until they asked for it.
4. But notice, even though they had patiently waited their turn, they needed no goading once the time came. (Ch. 18:2)
5. There is an inheritance provided for all who are part of that royal priesthood in Christ. (I Pet. 2:9) Let us therefore claim it. (I Tim. 6:12, 19)

II. THE PETITION HAVING BEEN MADE BY THE LEVITES WAS IMMEDIATELY GRANTED BY THE PEOPLE. (VERSE 3)

A. THERE WAS NEITHER ANY DISPUTING NOR HESITATION.

1. Perhaps the princes of the tribes were a little ashamed that they had not been more forward in making the motion themselves.

2. The princes of Judah here present were quite aggressive in seeing that Caleb was not overlooked
(Ch. 14:6), and to have their own portion. They were concerned that all of the tribes have their settlements. (Ch. 18:2) They had enthusiastically given Joshua his Timnath Serah. (Ch. 19:49, 50) Yet, the Levites, “who watched for their souls” had to represent their own interests.
3. Should not the essential and selfless work of Eleazar in all of these transactions have been sufficient to remind them of God’s promise to the priestly tribe?
4. Clearly, if there had been any neglect concerning the Levites, the fault was corrected, and a genuine eagerness for their provision was here manifested.

B. THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL GAVE CITIES UNTO THE LEVITES. (VERSE 3)

1. God had appointed them, but the people gave them. (Num. 35:8)
2. The Lord had appointed 48 cities in all, and they were to be donated, some by each of the tribes.
3. Notice, it was after the tribes received their inheritances that the cities to be given the Levites were designated.

a) The Lord could have claimed His cities before they were put into the possession of the tribes, so that these cities would have never been considered their property at all. But then, the people would not have known either the responsibility or the joy of providing for their ministers. With great blessing came this responsibility.
b) God could somehow keep the tithe that He requires of us, so that it would never come into our possession. Why does He give to us that which he requires us to return to Him?

(1) It is our responsibility and joy to give it.
(2) Our love and obedience is thereby tested.

4. If the Lord was trying their generosity in this, they certainly proved themselves honorable.

a) They offered some of the very best and most considerable cities in the whole land.
b) That which we offer to the Lord should be the best we have. It should always be a true sacrifice. (II Sam. 24:24)

5. Their selections also demonstrated a desire for having God’s ministers near them. Like the cities of refuge, they were evenly spaced for quick access to all of the people, wherever they may have dwelt.

III. THE CITIES HAVING BEEN SURRENDERED BY THE PEOPLE, THE LORD ORDERED THE PLACEMENT OF HIS SERVANTS IN THEM. (VERSES 4-8)

A. THERE WERE FOUR FAMILIES OF THE LEVITES.

1. Aaron’s family.
2. The Kohathite-Levites, who were the posterity of Moses.
3. Gershon’s family.
4. Merari’s family.

B. THESE FAMILIES WERE GIVEN THEIR CITIES ACCORDING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THE LORD. (VERSES 7, 8)

The Lord’s ministers are placed according to His appointed purpose throughout the world.