AUGUST 21, 2016
THE DIVISION BEGINS
INTRODUCTION:
1. The first division of the book of Joshua, which is devoted to the initial conquest of the land, concluded with a summary of all of their victories under both Moses and Joshua. (Chapter 12)
2. Now, we enter upon the second division of the book, which deals with the dividing of the land among the conquerors. It had long been settled that Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh would inherit on the east side of Jordan. Reuben and Gad would divide the kingdom of Sihon, the land of the Amorites, and Manasseh would occupy the entire kingdom of Og, the land of Bashan. Together, these tribes would inherit a very massive area on the east side, according to the commandment of Moses. (Verses 8-12)
3. The other nine and a half tribes would have their inheritance divided to them by lot, even as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. (Verse 7; Ch. 14:2; Num. 25:55, 56; 33:54; 34:13)
4. There was yet much fighting to be done, and each tribe would be required to drive out the remaining inhabitants. This would be a test to their faith and courage, but it would definitely be in their best interest to be thorough in this work. (Num. 33:55)
I. IT REMAINED FOR JOSHUA TO SEE TO THE DIVIDING OF THE LAND BEFORE HIS DEATH. (VERSES 1-7)
A. JOSHUA’S COURSE WAS ALMOST RUN. “JOSHUA WAS OLD AND WELL STRICKEN IN YEARS.”
1. In this reminder, the Lord was notifying the great commander that his calling and mission as Israel’s captain was fulfilled. He had successfully brought Israel into the land, and having led them in two great campaigns, had given them the mastery of the land.
2. Though there was still much fighting to be done, and there remained yet very much land to possess, it would be up to the individual tribes to take full possession of their portions by driving out the remaining inhabitants.
B. IT REMAINED FOR JOSHUA TO DIVIDE TO THE TRIBES THEIR INHERITANCE.(VERSE 7)
1. Since God took notice of Joshua’s old age, and called it to his attention, we are reminded that it is good for those who are well stricken in years to be put in remembrance of it. Some have gray hairs here and there and perceive it not. (Hos 7:9) they do not care to think about it, and therefore do not prepare for what is coming next.
2. It is comforting to know that God considers our frame, and would not have us burdened above our strength. That said, we are sure that it was not Joshua’s old age that necessitated his retirement from warfare. He and Caleb were the only two old men among the thousands of Israel, and if it had pleased the Lord, his strength and vigor might have remained as unabated as did Caleb’s. (Ch. 14:10-12)
3. Even though Joshua was old and well stricken in years, and his time as commander and leader of Israel’s troops was now ended, his work was far from over. It would be another twenty years (approximately) before the Lord would call him home, and those years were filled with service that required a man who had all of his faculties about him. Since the responsibility of dividing to the tribes their inheritance was placed on his shoulders, (Num. 27:18-23; Josh. 1:6) that would be the first order of business to be taken up.
C. A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT IS GIVEN OF THE LAND THAT REMAINED TO BE CONQUERED, WHICH WAS INTENDED TO BE THEIRS. (VERSES 2-6)
1. There were lands in the southwest now occupied by the Philistines, who had driven out the Canaanites, the old inhabitants, (Deut. 2:23) yet was part of Canaan, and therefore belonged to the Israelites. Geshuri is also mentioned, which were a people in the northeast of Canaan (Deut. 3:14), as the Philistines were in the southwest. (Verse 2)
2. The land which was now occupied by the Philistines stretched along the southwest coast from Sihor which is before Egypt, and stretch northward unto the borders of Ekron, and was governed by the five lords of the Philistines. (Verse 3)
3. From those southern parts of the sea coast that were in possession of the Philistines, all of the more northern parts of the Philistines, all of the more northern parts of the sea coast, almost as far as Sidon, were yet inhabited by the Canaanites as well. Two strongholds are named particularly, Mearah, a strong-place, and Aphek, not that of Judah, but in the tribe of Asher. (Verse 4)
4. From Sidon eastward was the land of the Giblites and all of Lebanon, which yet remained to be taken. (Verse 5)
5. All of these, the Lord assured Joshua, “Them I will drive out from before the children of Israel.” This the Lord would do presently after Joshua’s death, if they did not hinder it by their unbelief. (Verse 6)
a) This was to remind them of the love and favor of God toward them. Should they desire more, God would give them more.
b) This was to encourage them, so that they not be tempted to make any leagues with them; so that they should not become familiar with them as to adopt their ways so that they might see them as hindering them in having their allotted inheritance, and therefore, be more eager to drive them out.
c) This was to keep them in a posture of war, and not to think of laying down their weapons so long as there remained any land to possess.
6. Joshua, being old and near the end of his earthly life, would not live to see all of these countries subdued, yet he could relay the promise to the people that God had made to him, “Them will I drive out from before the children of Israel.”
7. We too can stand upon the promises of God. When it seems that the battle is being lost, we must remember the promises that God made to the Son, and that Christ has relayed to us.
II. THE TWO AND A HALF TRIBES WHOSE INHERITANCE WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN WERE ALLOTTED THEIR PORTION. (VERSES 8-32)
A. REUBEN. (VERSES 8-13, 15-23)
NOTE: The fate of Balaam is here inserted. (Verse 22) the reason this information is here given is because Balaam was slain at the same time as those kings whose countries were now being divided to the two and a half tribes. (Num. 31:8)
B. GAD. (VERSES 24-28)
C. THE HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH. (VERSES 29-32)
III. TWICE IN THIS CHAPTER IT IS STIPULATED THAT THE TRIBE OF LEVI RECEIVED NO INHERITANCE. (VERSES 14, 33)
A. THE TRIBE OF LEVI RECEIVED NO INHERITANCE OF LAND.
1. Those who devote themselves to the service of God must be willing to make earthly sacrifices.
2. Earthly possessions can distract attention from heavenly service. This is true not only for ministers, but for all Christians.
3. It is right that they who have the care of souls be freed form the cares of earthly business as much as possible.
B. THE TRIBE OF LEVI HAD ITS TEMPORAL WANTS ADEQUATELY PROVIDED FOR. (VERSE 14) “The sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance.”
1. They who served at the altar had a right to “live by the altar.” (I Cor. 9:7-14)
2. In contributing to the support of God’s servants we are making sacrifice to God.
a) The sacrifices were the priests’ and Levites’ portion. (Deut. 18:1)
b) It is our duty to provide in temporal things for those who minister to us in spiritual things.
C. THE TRIBE OF LEVI FOUND ITS TRUE INHERITANCE IN GOD. (VERSE 33)
1. Though the sacrificial gifts were needful to sustain them, their true inheritance was spiritual. And so it is with all believers who make up the royal priesthood in Christ. (I Pet. 2:9)
2. The minister, nor any Christian, should regard earthly returns as the reward of his service.
3. Sacrifices are often required, but they shall be amply compensated. (Mark 10:29, 30)
4. How wonderful to have God as our portion! (Psa. 73:26)
D. SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING, ALL CHRISTIANS ARE OF THE TRIBE OF LEVI.
1. All are called to the altar of sacrifice. (Heb. 13:10)
2. All are to serve as priests. (I Pet. 2:9)
3. All should find their true inheritance in God. (I Pet. 1:4)
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