Tuesday, May 7 – Joshua 17, 18 – Additional reading, Patriarchs and Prophets chapter 48, “The Division of Canaan”
Study Questions:
1. Why did the daughters of Zelophehad approach Joshua, Eleazar, and the leaders? Joshua 17:4
2. Where did the People of Israel gather to set up the Tent of Meeting? Joshua 18:1
3. Why did the Levites not receive a portion of the land? Joshua18:7
4. Where was the tribe of Benjamin placed? Joshua 18:11
Commentary and Reflection:
Joshua 17 picks up where Chapter 16 left off, describing the borders of the land given to the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim.
Land was allotted to all the people of Manasseh, including the daughters of Zelophahad, whom Moses promised would inherit land in their father’s name (because there was no male heir in the family (Num 26:33-37; Num 27:4). “This incident gives a divine perspective on the value of womanhood and reveals a higher regard for women’s rights in the Bible than is usually acknowledged.” (ASB p. 284)
Again, as in Joshua 16, this passage mentions Israel’s neglect to drive out the land’s inhabitants. God had instructed Joshua that the people were not just to settle the land but to subdue its inhabitants fully. However, the Israelites made some of the Canaanites their slaves and allowed them to live amongst them. (17:12-13)
Joshua 18:1. The first verse of this is the most important, testifying to the setting up of the Tabernacle. It was moved from Gilgal to the city of Shiloh, which was in Ephraim’s territory. “For 300 years, this was the place where the Shekinah glory hovered over the ark of the covenant, and all Israel came to worship at the annual festivals on this terrace.” (ASB p.285)
After setting up the Tabernacle, Joshua sent out men from Shiloh to survey (describe in writing) the remaining land yet to be apportioned by lot and divide it into seven parts. 18:8-10
It is important to note that in 18:7, We are told, “The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the Lord is their heritage.” This was stated earlier in Chapter 13:33
“But Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.” We must keep this truth in our hearts: We are a royal priesthood, and our inheritance is in the Lord. Therefore, let us not desire to possess the things of this world in the place of the living God.
“But Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi; the LORD God of Israel is their inheritance, just as he said to them.” We must keep this truth in our hearts: We are a royal priesthood, and our inheritance is in the Lord. Therefore, let us not desire to possess the things of this world in the place of the living God.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Pastor Alex Schlussler