‘A Lot meant’ nothing if you don’t buy into it

Joshua Chapters 11 – 24

- Covering this many Chapters is not my intention to minimize the historical importance of Joshua’s conquest with GOD’s enabling of the promised land.

- In Chapter 11 verse 20, It mentions that these Kings and peoples had attacked Israel because the LORD had hardened their hearts and they were devoted to destruction. They were to receive no mercy but be destroyed. GOD had given this people 430 years, some of these people were also of the Anakim, they were part of that forbidden mixture and aligned as children of the Adversary.

- In Chapter 13 GOD tell Joshua he’s getting along in years and there is still a lot of land to possess, this may be a hint for Joshua to do what Moses had done for him, but we never get the indication that Joshua had anyone that he was teaching, mentoring like Moses had done.

- The land was to be divided up by allotment for the nine tribes and the half tribe of Manasseh. Notice the tribe of Levi did not get one because GOD is their inheritance.

- The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh received their inheritance from Moses outside of the promised land, by their choice.

- Faithful Caleb at 85 years young is granted his request and inheritance of Hebron, the Anakim were there with great fortified cites. Chapter 14:15 says - Now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriath-arba. (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim.) And the land had rest from war. Caleb’s portion is included among the children of Judah.

- Starting with Chapter 15 we see a trend happening, we see with Judah’s allotment at the end of the chapter verse 63 that they could not drive out the Jebusites who dwell in Jerusalem. 

- Ephraim and the half tribe of Manasseh allotment in Chapters 16 and 17, we see that Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. The people of Manasseh could not drive out some of the Canaanites either, but did as Ephraim had done and put them to forced labor.

- Seven of the tribes had yet to take possession of their inheritance.

- The tribe of Dan not only lost their territory, but they also took land not allotted to them and set off on their own path apart from GOD’s will for their lives. We will see this played out in the book of Judges chapter 18.

- Joshua is given his inheritance last, in the hill country of Ephraim, the city Timnath-serah.

- Cities of refuge are designated along with pastureland for Levi

- Joshua releases the men (warriors), the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh to go home. Originally, they had made a promise to Moses, Numbers 32:18 – “We will not return to our homes until each of the people of Israel has gained his inheritance.” This obviously did not happen, the remaining Seven tribes drug their feet so long in this process, I wonder if Joshua got tired of making them wait and released them from their duties?

- The Alter of witness was built to show that the LORD is GOD, not just in Israel, but in the territory belonging to the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh.

- In Chapter 24 we get Joshua’s well know quote, choose this day who you will serve,…., but as for me and my house we will serve the LORD.

- The Rephaim and the children of Anak were large and strong, cities like Jericho were fortresses, Gibeon had elite soldiers, the people and kings were numerous, but regardless of all this because GOD was with them Israel prevailed.

- Just because a land or country seems to have it all, flowing with wealth and prosperity, military might, doesn’t mean it is following the king of KINGS. This is also true of people, things may look incredible on the outside, but inwardly not so much. 

- The LORD is patiently waiting for your (my) answer, don’t be like the Kings whose time expired and no mercy remained for them. It again comes back to what Joshua said, “choose this day (today) who you will serve?”

Next – Here come the Judge