Joshua 22-24

1. Eastern Tribes Return Home
In this passage, Joshua blesses the tribes who will dwell on the eastern side of the Jordan River - the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh.  Now as these tribes return to their homes, they build an altar that spurs the rest of Israel to prepare for war against them.  Phinehas (the son of Eleazar) and ten tribal leaders - one for each of the "western tribes" - meet the "eastern tribes" in order to forestall a civil war; it turns out that a great misunderstanding has occurred, and so no blood is spilled.

This is a rather bizarre story; it does illustrate the importance of communication.  Perhaps the eastern tribes should have informed the western tribes of their plans before they built their altar (to serve as a memorial for future generations).  This story also illustrates the zeal for the Lord that prevailed in Israel at that time; any perceived affront to His glory and honor would be immediately addressed in the appropriate fashion - with war being an option.

2. Joshua's Farewell to the Leaders
In this passage, Joshua reminds the leaders of Israel of the Lord's providence in bringing them to their present inheritance.  He exhorts them to hold fast to the Lord and to His Law.  He also assures them that if they turn away from the Lord and intermarry/associate with other nations, the Lord will punish them - via these other nations.

I wonder if the people of Israel were feeling rather complacent after the allocation of the Promised Land; if so, this speech by Joshua was designed to wake them from their stupor and help them focus on God and His covenant with them.

3. The Covenant Renewed at Shechem
In this passage, Joshua reminds the Israelites of all that the Lord had done for them, starting from the time of Abraham.  Given the Lord's providence in bringing Israel to the Promised Land, Joshua challenges them regarding their ultimate loyalties.  The people respond by declaring their allegiance to God, and they refuse to change their minds after Joshua hints at their inability to fulfill their vows to Him.  Thus, Joshua renews the covenant between Israel and the Lord; he commemorates the occasion by placing a stone under an oak tree.

This story implies that the Israelites were experiencing a "spiritual high" after the allocation of the Promised Land.  Perhaps they should have listened carefully to Joshua's hint in verses 19-20 that they would be unable to fulfill their vows to the Lord.  Yet they were probably so ensnared by their spiritual high that they repeatedly declared their devotion to God.

4. Buried in the Promised Land
In this passage, it is noted that Joshua passes away at the age of 110.  Israel continues to serve the Lord faithfully during Joshua's lifetime and that of the elders who outlive him.  Joseph's bones, which had been transported by Israel during their years of wandering in the desert - are buried at Shechem.  Eleazar, the high priest, also passes away.

This is a very natural way to conclude the book of Joshua.  The leaders - both military and spiritual - of Israel have now passed on, and the onus is on Israel to remain faithful to the Lord in their absence.  Of course, the book of Judges will reveal how they did...

Joshua 19-21

1. Allotment for Simeon
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Simeon.  It is noted that their allotment lies within the allotment of the tribe of Judah.  In verse 9 we see that "Judah's portion was more than they needed.  So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah."

This allotment essentially fulfills Jacob's curse on Simeon in Genesis 49:7.

2. Allotment for Zebulun
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Zebulun.  Their allotment includes the town of Rimmon.

3. Allotment for Issachar
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Issachar.  Their allotment includes the town of Jezreel.

4. Allotment for Asher
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Asher.  Their allotment includes the city of Tyre.


5. Allotment for Naphtali
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Naphtali.  Their allotment includes the city of Kedesh.


6. Allotment for Dan
In this passage, the Lord allots land for the tribe of Dan.  In verse 47 we see that the Danites had trouble conquering their assigned territory, so they ended up attacking Leshem and conquering it.

I'm assuming that the Danites' difficulties in terms of conquering their assigned territory stemmed from their lack of faith and trust in the Lord.  As I've noted in previous posts, I would have been quite fearful if I had been a Danite at that time - war is not something to be taken lightly.  Also, did the Lord actually condone their attacking and conquering Leshem?  The passage doesn't provide an explicit indication of His reaction to their change of plans.


7. Allotment for Joshua
In this passage, Israel fulfills the Lord's command that they give Joshua the town of Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim.  This concludes the division of the Promised Land for Israel.

Now I cannot recall the reason why Joshua chose the town of Timnath Serah as his inheritance.  If any readers can shed some light on this, that would be neat.

8. Cities of Refuge
In this passage, the Lord designates six "cities of refuge" in Israel.  The function of these cities can be described as follows: assume that Person A kills Person B by accident.  Person A can flee to one of these cities and be protected from the avenger of blood, who is typically the closest male relative of Person B.  After a trial occurs, Person A is ostensibly pardoned; he must then remain in that city until the high priest at the time has passed away.  Person A is then free to return to his hometown.

This is a rather interesting passage and it raised some (probably fanciful) questions.  Were there instances in the Old Testament period when Person A killed Person B by accident, yet Person A was caught and killed by the avenger of blood before he reached a city of refuge?  Why did Person A need to wait for the death of the high priest at that time before leaving a city of refuge?  Were there cases where Person A was pardoned,  left a city of refuge too early and was then killed by the avenger of blood?


9. Towns for the Levites
In this passage, the Israelites give the Levites several towns - and pasturelands - out of their inheritance.  In particular, the allotment for the Levites is divided among the 1) Kohathites who are descendants of Aaron, 2) all other Kohathites, 3) Gershonites and 4) Merarites.  In verse 43, we see that this passage concludes the allotment of the Promised Land for Israel; the Lord has defeated all of their enemies and given them peace - fulfilling all of His promises to them.

It is interesting to note that all six of the cities of refuge from the previous passage are given to the Levites.  Does this have some correlation with the "death of the high priest" stipulation as noted above?  Also, it should be stressed that this passage is the culmination of the second part of God's three-fold promise to Abraham in Genesis 15 - his descendants have taken possession of the Promised Land.  Of course, their sinfulness will prevent them from holding on to it...