Joshua 13-19
A man who just died is delivered to the mortuary wearing an
expensive, expertly tailored black suit.
The mortician asks the deceased’s wife how she would like the body
dressed. He points out that the man does look good in the black suit
he is already wearing.
The widow, however, says that she always thought her husband
looked his best in blue, and that she wants him in a blue suit.
She gives the mortician a blank check and says, “I don’t care what it
costs, but please have my husband in a blue suit for the viewing.”
The woman returns the next day for the wake. To her delight, she
finds her husband dressed in a gorgeous blue suit with a subtle
chalk stripe; the suit fits him perfectly.
She says to the mortician, “Whatever this cost, I’m very satisfied.
You did an excellent job and I’m very grateful. How much did you
spend?”
To her astonishment, the mortician presents her with the blank
check. “There’s no charge,” he says.
“No, really, I must compensate you for the cost of that exquisite
blue suit!” the woman says.
“Honestly, ma’am,” the mortician says, “It cost nothing. You see, a
deceased gentleman of about your husband’s size was brought in
shortly after you left yesterday, and he was wearing an attractive
blue suit. I asked his wife if she minded him going to his grave
wearing a black suit instead, and she said it made no difference as
long as he looked nice. Then it was just a matter of switching the
heads.”
We will be discussing chapters 13-19 of Joshua. Before we do that let me give
you a brief overview of chapter 12.
It is a recap of all the many kings and cities that God
gave over into the hands of Israel. Many of them we have
discussed in detail as we have studied chapters 6-11 of
Joshua.
Today we are going to discuss Israel’s Inheritance as well
as our Inheritance as followers of Christ.
Let’s begin by looking at
Joshua 13:1-7
The Lord speaks to Joshua
The first thing I noticed here was that God has spoken to
Joshua once again. This has been a constant throughout
their relationship.
God speaks and Joshua obeys.
God delivers a fourfold message to Joshua this time.
Discussion of Age – Lord says, “you are old”
Dispossession of Land – very much land to possess
Divine Assistance – God “I myself will drive them out”
Division of the Inheritance – as God directs, cast lots
Joshua 13:8-13 tell us that Moses had given the
inheritance to 2 1⁄2 tribes already
1⁄2 tribe of Manasseh
Reubenites and Gadites
They received land East of the Jordan
Joshua 13:14 “To the tribe of Levi alone Moses
gave no inheritance. The offerings by fire to the
Lord God of Israel are their inheritance, as he said
to them.”
Levi didn’t need an inheritance, the priests were taken
care of because they received the offerings that were
presented by the Israelites. Ch. 14:4 tells us that the
Levites were given cities to dwell in and pastureland for
their livestock and their substance.
West of the Jordan
14:2 the inheritance was by lot just as the Lord
commanded for the remaining 9 1⁄2 tribes.
Caleb asks for inheritance
Joshua 14:12 “So now give me this hill country of
which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on
that day how the Anakim were there, with great
fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with
me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord
said.”
Joshua gives Caleb Hebron as inheritance “because he
wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.” Josh 14:14b
Judah received Edom to wilderness of Zin
But the Jebusites, from Jerusalem, they could not drive
out, so they dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem
to this day.
Ephraim and Manasseh – Joseph’s sons
16:10 Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites but they
became forced labor to Ephraim
Manasseh received Gilead and Bashan
17:12 yet the people of Manasseh could not take
possession of those cities so the Canaanites persisted in
dwelling in that land.
They also became forced labor to Israel
Chapter 18
Camp at Shiloh – tent of meeting is set up
7 tribes remaining who had not received their
inheritance.
Joshua told them to choose 3 men from each tribe and go
up and down the land.
Write a description of the land and bring it to Joshua and
he will cast lots to determine who gets what area.
Benjamin
18:11 between Joseph and Judah
14 cities with their villages
Simeon
19:1 in the midst of the people of Judah
13 cities with villages
4 cities with villages
The inheritance of Judah was too large for them so some
of it was given to Simeon
Zebulun
19:10-16
12 cities with villages
Issachar
19:17-23
16 cities with villages
Asher
19:24-31
22 cities with villages
Naphtali
19:32-39
19 cities with villages
Dan
19:40-49
Conquered Leshem and lived there and renamed it Dan
Inheritance – God gave Israel the Promised Land as a
display of His love. It was promised so many years earlier
when God told Abraham He would make him a great
nation and give him descendants as numerous as the
sand of the sea and the stars in the sky.
The land was theirs, but they still had to possess it.
There were still many pockets of people who would have
to be driven out so the tribes could enter their land and
dwell there.
APPLICATION
As we read the story of God providing the Promised land
to His chosen people we should be reminded that Israel
at this time was faithful to God and obedient to His
commands.
They received their inheritance.
We too have the promise of an inheritance.
I wanted to share with you 3 Scriptures that remind us of
our inheritance we have in store for us.
Permanence of Our Inheritance
I Peter 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he
has caused us to be born again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable,
undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,”
Because of what Jesus did on the cross, those who
believe in Him will receive the inheritance of eternal life.
Peter describes it with three adjectives.
Imperishable – it cannot and will never be destroyed.
Undefiled – our inheritance is perfect, just like Jesus,
white as snow, the spotless lamb.
Unfading – it never goes away, never deteriorates.
Partnership of Our Inheritance
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself bears witness
with our spirit that we are children of God, and if
children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs
with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order
that we may also be glorified with him.”
Not only are believers children of God, we are joint heirs
with Jesus. He suffered for us so that we would be able to
receive our inheritance.
Pledge of Our Inheritance
Ephesians 1:13-14 “In him you also, when you
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with
the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of
our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to
the praise of his glory.”
While we are here on earth God has given us the Holy
Spirit as a guarantee that we will one day be with Him in
glory. He is the pledge and He will never leave or forsake
us. He is living inside of every believer.