Winter 2010—The Life of Joshua
Lesson5: Joshua 13–22
Day One:Read Joshua 13:1–17:18; Division of the Land at Gilgal
- Despite Joshua’s major victories, much land was yet to be possessed by the Israelites. What was God’sstrategy for taking possession of the land?
2.Which tribes were given an inheritance east of the Jordan River? Under whose leadership was this territory given to them?
3.What common thread runs through Joshua 13:13; 15:63; 16:10, and 17:12–13?
a.Why do you think this situation existed and what were some of the dangers and repercussions it created?
4.What did Joseph’s sons, Manasseh and Ephraim,do in Joshua 17:14–17?
a.Have you responded similarly to situations at home, among friends, at work, or in ministry?
b.What was Joshua’s answer to Manasseh and Ephraim, and what is God’s answer to you today?
Day Two:Read Joshua 14:6–15; 15:13–19;Caleb
1.With which tribe is Caleb identified and how is God’s grace revealed inhis ancestry?
2.Approximately how long did it take to conquer Canaan?
3.Dig Deeper: Caleb asked for, and received, Hebron as his inheritance. Why is that significant?
4.Read Numbers 13 and describe the enemies Caleb had to drive out of Hebron. (Cite verses.)
5.From the verses cited in Joshua 14 and 15, whatare the reasons for Caleb’s spiritual strength?
6.In what way do you think Caleb was a spiritual influence on his daughter?
a.In what ways are you influencing others for Christ?
Day Three: Read Joshua 18 and 19; Division of the Land at Shiloh
1.The five strongest tribes were assigned land at Gilgal. Joshua now moves to Shiloh to divide the remainder of the land among the other tribes.
a.What proved that the remaining tribes were weaker, according to Joshua 18:2–10?
b.In what manner were their portions decided? Who was in control of that process?
2.Where was Simeon’s portion and how did that fulfill the prophecy of Genesis 49:7?
3.What privilege did the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali have, according to Matthew 4:12–17?
4.Dig Deeper: Read Judges 1:1–3:6
a.Which verses give evidence of Israel’s failure and the consequences they suffered because of it?
b.How can you relate this to the church today?
5.When did Joshua receive his inheritance? What does that tell you about his character?(Cite verses.)
DayFour:Read Joshua 20–21; Cities of Refuge and Priestly Cities
1.What do you learn about the cities of refuge from the following verses?
a.Exodus 21:13
b.Numbers 35:6
c.Numbers 35:9–14
d.Deuteronomy 4:41–43
e.Deuteronomy 19:2–10
2.From Joshua 21, Levi was not given a portion of the land in Canaan. What were the Levites given and why?
3.In what way was the distribution of the Levites beneficial to the people of Israel and at the same time afulfillment of Genesis 49:7?
4.How do you see God’s faithfulness displayed in Joshua 20 and 21? (Cite verses.)
Day Five:Read Joshua 22; Rest from War
1.Find the following examples in Joshua’s charge to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh as theyreturned to their landeast of the Jordan River. (Cite verses.)
a.A commendation
b.A reminder of God’s faithfulness
c.A warning
2.Was it right for the tribes west of the Jordan to confront their brothers? Explain your answer.
3.Where in this confrontation do you see the following?
a.A zeal for the holiness of God
b.A love for the tribes who built the altar
4.Why did the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh build this altar and why was that acceptable to their brothers across the JordanRiver?
5.In what way can Matthew 18:15–17 be applied to this event in Joshua 22?
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Luenebrink/Peters February17, 2010
NOTES