Interlude

1. Interlude Joshua 10: 29 – 12: 24

2. Summary of Israel’s conquest of southern cities (10: 29–43) & northern cities (11:1-5) • List of the kings Israel conquered (11:16 – 12:24) • Record reveals • It was the Lord who gave the victory (10:30, 32, 42; 11:6, 8) • Joshua obeyed the Lord by utterly destroying the enemies (11: 9, 12, 15, 20) except Gibeon • Joshua’s strategy

3. Conquer & divide • Fighting in foothills & mountains • Jews still defeated the kings & armies although they were larger than the Jewish army • The ownership of the land was by gracious act of God • The possession & enjoyment of the land depended on the submission and obedience to God • The Promised land, a gift of God’s love • The Assignments Made at Gilgal (13:1-17:18)

4. Gilgal, the center of operations for Israel • Moved to Shiloh as central location (18:1) • System for assigning the territories in Canaan (14: 1-20) • Eleazor, the high priest, & a representative from a tribe casting lots (Num 34:13-29) • The system changed when relocating (18:1-7) • The two and half tribes east of Jordan (13:1-33) • Reuben, Gad, & half Manasseh agreed to help conquer Canaan for inheritance • Buffer zone between the Jews & Canaan and heathen nations in Moab & Ammon • Vulnerable to military attack & pagan influence

5. Reuben, south (15-23); Manasseh, north (25-26); Gad, in between (24-28) • Lesson #1: Don’t be a borderline Christian • The will of God is the expression of God’s love & always the best for us • Balaak’s advice to Balaam (13:22-232; Num 22-25) • Be friendly to the Jews & invite them to Moabite religious feasts • Result: Jewish men tool Moabite women for wives • Violating God’s law • Satan as a serpent, not lion • Levites had no inheritance (13:14, 33; 14:3-4; 18:7) • The Lord was their inheritance (Deut 18:1-8; 10:1-8; 18:7); 4 times

6. Devoted to teaching God’s law • Simeon & Levi: prophecy fulfilled (Gen 49:5-7) • Two & half tribes west of Jordan (14:1-17:18) • Judah, south (17:1-18); Ephraim, middle (16:1-10); Manasseh, north (17: 1-18) • Caleb received the first inheritance (Num 13:30) • Joshua received the inheritance last (19:49-51) • Lesson # 2: Be encouraged in your pilgrim journey (Eph 1:3) • Caleb, 85 year old • Received mountain • Secret of Caleb’s life: “He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” Josh 14:14) • Lesson # 3: We are never too old to make new conquests of faith in the power of the Lord; never retire from trusting & serving the Lord

7. Caleb providing for the next generation daring faith: Othniel & his daughter for field & spring • Example of faith more available to his family than material • Lesson #4: The older generation must provide for the next generation, not only material but mostly spiritually • Inheritance of the rest of the tribe of Judah (15:1-12; 21-63) • Jerusalem wasn’t taken yet (63) • Capital during David’s time (II Sam 5:6-10) • Ephraim & Manasseh of Joseph • Sons inherited as well as the daughters of Zelophelad (3-6) • Lesson #5: God wants all His children their inheritance

8. Ephraim & Manasseh complained because the Lord didn’t give them enough room (17:14-18) • Lesson #6:It’s not their boasting but believing that gives you the victory and gain the new territory. Those who talk the most accomplish little. • The Assignments Made at Shiloh (18:1-19:15) • Tabernacle moved and remained until David moved the ark to Jerusalem (II Sam 6) • 7 tribes not yet inherit the land due to lack of faith & zeal • New system for allocating the land

9. 3 men from each tribe to go through the remaining land & describing the land • Benjamin close to Mansseh & Ephraim • Simeon shared with Judah • North of Manasseh: Zebulun (19;10-16; Issachar (17-23); Asher (24-31); Naphtali (32-39) • Zebulun & Naphtali: Galilee of Gentiles (Matt 4:15-16) • Sea of Chinneroth: Sea of Galilee • Chinneroth: harp; sea shaped as harp • Last tribe: Dan (19:40-48) • Joshua received his inheritance last: city of TimmahSerah (49-50)

10. The Assignment of the Cities of Refuge (20:1-9) • Cities for Levites (Num 35:1-5) • Cities of refuge (Ex 21: 13; Num 35:6-34; Deut 19: 1-13) • Murder & manslaughter (Ex 21:12-14; Deut 19:11-13) • 6 cities • Westside: Kedesh,Shechem, Hebron • Eastside: Golan, Ramoth, Bezer • No police to investigate • Law: anybody who killed another person could flee to a city of refuge & be protected from the avenger of the blood until the elders

11. Investigate the situation. The fugitive go free when a high priest dies • They visualize a picture of salvation in Christ • “have fled for refuge” Heb 6:180 • When coming to Christ for salvation no need for investigation or trial for we know we are guilty & admit it • Salvation is not conditional • Our High Priest never dies & we are secure (Heb 7:24-25) • Kedesh: righteousness • By faith Jesus gave His righteousness • Shechem: shoulder • Like a shepherd He carries us on his shoulder • Hebron: fellowship • Bezer: fortress or strong • He is our fortress & we are safe

12. Ramoth; heights • They dwell in heights even though they were exiles, pilgrims, or strangers in this world • Golan: exile (Gesenius Lexicon) • Lesson #7: You are not saved unless you flee to Jesus by faith. We are guilty & Jesus is our only Savior • Jews were guilty of killing Jesus Christ, but it was a sin of ignorance (Acts 3:12-18 & Luke 23:24) • Manslaughter rather than murder (I Cor 2:7-8) • Now the whole world is guilty & witout sin (Rom 3:9-19) • The Assignment of the Levitical cities (21:1-45)

13. Scattered throughout the land so the tribe of Levi can teach the people the law & influence them to be faithful to God • Places to live & pastures for cattle • 48 cities (num 35:1-5) • 2 lists : Joshua 21 & I Chron 6:54-81) • Each tribe has 4 cities • Judah & Simeon: 9 • Naphtali: 3 • Affirmations • God was faithful & gave the land to Israel (21:45)

14. God gave Israel victory over the enemies & rest from war (21:44) • God kept His promises (21:45) • The covenant of God, power of God, and promises of God are the spiritual resources we need as we claim the inheritance in Jesus Christ