Joshua. The Work of Walk. Joshua 13:1-14:15. WHEN JOSHUA the son of Nun was very old, he summoned to himself the elders and heads and officers

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1 Joshua The Work of Walk Joshua 13:1-14:15 WHEN JOSHUA the son of Nun was very old, he summoned to himself the elders and heads and officers of Israel. When he began to speak, he scarcely lifted his head. It seemed too large for his thin neck. And his body was small, bent round like a shepherd s crook. Those who listened had to press in close and tip their heads sideways. Moreover, the man s voice was but a hollow whisper. He seemed to speak from the caves of the ancients. None remembered Egypt but him. He alone had seen the griefs of Egypt. Behold, he breathed, we have divided the land as best we can among the tribes of Israel. Every tribe has a territory, every tribe an inheritance, fields and houses and land. So it is, and so it shall be. The Lord has kept his promise to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Leah. My children, Look about you. We are home. It was a day of radiant sunshine, though Joshua still had not raised his head. He kept silence a while, and it occurred to the heads of Israel that he really meant it: they should look around ad the land, the soil, the magnificent oak by which they had gathered, the earth. But Joshua could not look. His eyes were blinded by the sunlight. Your work is not altogether done, he said. Many foreign nations remain among us. In time the Lord will push them back before you. But until that time you must not mix with these nations, or mention the names of their gods, or swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them. You must cleave to the Lord your God as you have done to this day. Israel, love the Lord your God! As he spoke, more and more people gathered. The small group grew. Mothers holding babies came, and the young men and young women together, farmers and shepherds, priests and weavers and potters. Joshua was at Shechem, between the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, a holy place before the Lord and perhaps that was why so many soon began to hear a man who spoke so softly. They were listening as much with their spirits as with their ears. 1 If we could only sit at the feet of Joshua, David, Paul, the saints of the Old and New Testament, those who would direct our eyes around us. They would tell us to consider all the Lord has done for us. But they would also encourage us to consider the work yet to be done until that day when we can truly rest in the Lord s presence. As we look at the land, the soil, the earth, like the Israelites, we must be able to stand with Joshua and say: Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Then the people answered, Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! (Joshua 24:14-16). 1 Wangerin, Jr., Walter, The Book of God, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996, p

2 THE REMAINING chapters of Joshua tell of the distribution and settlement of the land. The last two are Joshua s final message to the people. We will skim over much of what is here, stopping at landmarks and pointing out the lessons they give us. We will finally come and sit at the feet of Joshua, listening in as he speaks to the people. I m not sure how much time we will spend, but we see when we get there. This morning I want to review chapters 13 and 14. We will see that God will continue to use us as long as we are willing. I THE WORK ISN T OVER 13: 1-12 II THE WORK OF ALLOCATION 13:13-33 III THE WORK OF DISTRIBUTION 14: 1-5 IV THE WORK OF WALK 14: 6-15 Chapter 13, Verses 1-5: We all grow old, but for the believer, this doesn t mean work is over. There is always more to do. We are called to care for the spiritually young, to provide encouragement, direction (when asked) and to model faithfulness in the Lord. This is certainly a description of the life of Joshua. Today, in a day when there is a lack of moral direction and hope, the mature can be a source of comfort to the young, demonstrate that in dependency on the Lord, one can stand firm in the midst of anything the world throws at us. Joshua too had become old. But God was still speaking to him. According to Dr. McGee, Joshua was probably around at this point, whereas Ibn Ezra believes he was Clearly, he was old by any standards. Nevertheless, there was still work to be done and that s God s point. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance (Deuteronomy 31:7). The work of the Lord is never done. While the land had been taken, though not completely, the next big job was to allocate it to the twelve tribes, well actually nine and a half on the Jordanian side, two and a half of the tribes having settled on the Trans-Jordanian side. Verses 6-33: Joshua gives quite a bit of attention to the Trans-Jordanian tribes. Madvig believes it is because of his concern to stress the unity of the Nation. 4 These people supported the rest of the nation in moving into the land through the use of military prowess. I want to touch on the tribes allocation of land. You may follow along on either the overhead or your handout. (Readers see appendix 1 following this lesson.) East Manasseh is found northeast of the Sea of Galilee, Trans-Jordan. Asher is West of the Sea along the shore of The Great Sea, with Naphtali being between it and the Sea. 2 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 2, Joshua - Psalms, Thomas Nelson Inc., Nashville, TN 1981, p Drucker, Rabbi Reuven, The Book of Joshua, Mesorah Publications, Ltd. Brooklyn, NY, 1998, p Madvig, Donald H., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Joshua, Zondervan I nteractive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990, Electronic text hypertexted and prepared by OakTree Software, Inc. ) 98 (

3 In the south, between Asher and Naphtali is Zebulun and directly below is Issachar. Next on the west is the other half of the tribe of Manasseh sharing a border, the Jordan with Gad in the east. God is the second of the Trans-Jordanian tribes. South of Manasseh is Ephraim and still traveling south is Dan in the west and Benjamin next to it eastward and touching the Dead Sea. On the West of the Dead Sea is Judah and with Simeon in the midst of it. On the east of the Dead Sea is Reuben, the last of the Trans-Jordanian tribes. This accounts for the names of twelve tribes including the nine and a half Jordanian and two and a half Trans-Jordanian. These were the lands they were to receive for in the most part, up to this point, the peoples had been faithful to God and his word, faithfully following Joshua. But even here we are told all of the people of the land were not cast out. Additionally, Joshua notes that Levy did not receive any of the lands of Israel as an inheritance. Instead he notes their inheritance was to be in the service of the Lord. This is consistent to the words of the Lord through Moses. Then Moses said, Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD for every man has been against his son and against his brother in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today. Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the LORD (Exodus 32:29; Numbers 3:45). Many will look at the Old Testament and say, since God blessed Israel materially, we should expect Him to equally bless us. But, it is clear from these verses that the greatest blessing, the real inheritance, is our privilege to serve the Lord. The people got the land. The Levities inherited the opportunity for the service of the Lord. We get so caught up in survival we forget what the point of survival is, the enjoyment of our inheritance: service to the Lord. Chapter 14, Verses 1-5: Here the emphasis is on the nation carrying out the commands of Moses. The Jordan side is distributed by lots. As Madvig notes: Eleazar the priest was to assist Joshua in dividing the land. Eleazer is named first because he had the predominant role. As priest he was the one who wore the ephod with the Urim and Thummim by means of which the will of God was determined (Num 27:21; see Num 34:17, where once again Eleazar is named first). The heads of the tribal clans had been chosen by Moses, as commanded by the Lord, to help in the division of the land (Num 34:17-29). 5 Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD. At his command they shall go out and at his command they shall come in, both he and the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation. These are the names of the men who are to assign the land for you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun (Numbers 27:21, 34:17). Again the fact Levy only has cities is pointed out. Here also we are reminded that Joseph s two descendents are identified as Ephraim and Manasseh and both have an inheritance. This is how the count of twelve is maintained with Levy having no real estate holdings. Instead: 5 Ibid. ) 99 (

4 Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, saying Command the sons of Israel that they give to the Levites from the inheritance of their possession, cities to live in; and you shall give to the Levites pasture lands around the cities. And the cities shall be theirs to live in; and their pasture lands shall be for their cattle and for their herds and for all their beasts. And the pasture lands of the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits around. You shall also measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, with the city in the center. This shall become theirs as pasture lands for the cities. And the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the manslayer to flee to; and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities. All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities, together with their pasture lands. As for the cities which you shall give from the possession of the sons of Israel, you shall take more from the larger and you shall take less from the smaller; each shall give some of his cities to the Levites in proportion to his possession which he inherits (Numbers 35:1-8). Verses 6-15: Well, here at last is an old, and old is the operative word, friend: Caleb. He has come to claim his inheritance. He s eight-five years young, or at least according to him. He reminds Joshua of their history together, the two faithful spies. Caleb hasn t changed over the last forty-five years. He tells of Moses promise to him that he would receive the hill country, the land occupied by fortified cities. The Anakim lived in these cities and Caleb hopes that God will help him defeat these people if they are still dwelling there. He is a really feisty old guy, still unafraid, still ready to go into battle and most of all, still dependent on God, who is the source of his courage. So after long years have passed, Caleb receives his promised land inheritance, Hebron, which the NIV Dictionary describes as: HEBRON (Heb. hevron, league, confederacy). 1. One of the oldest cities of the world, and one that has had several names at different times. Located 19 miles (32 km.) SW of Jerusalem on the main road to Beersheba, it has one of the longest records of continuous occupation. Hebron s original name was Kiriath Arba, i.e., fourfold city (Josh 14:15; 15:13). Hebron is replete with historical interest. It was a camping place for Abram (Gen 13:18). The only land that Abram owned, though God had promised him Canaan (15:18-21), was the field of Machpelah near Mamre, which he purchased from the Hittites as a burial place for Sarah (23:17-20; Heb 11:8-10). In this cave Sarah and Abraham, later Isaac and Rebekah, then Jacob and Leah, were buried. Hebron and its environs were given to Caleb to conquer (Josh 14:6-15), and he did so (15:14-19); but later the city itself was given to the Kohathite Levites (1 Chron 6:55-56), though Caleb s descendants kept the suburban fields and villages. 6 And afterward the sons of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country and in the Negev and in the lowland. So Judah went against the Canaanites who lived in Hebron (now the name of Hebron formerly was Kiriatharba); and they struck Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai (Judges 1:9-10). 6 Douglas, J. D. and Merrill C. Tenney, editors, NIV Bible Dictionary, Zondervan I nteractive Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1989, Electronic text hypertexted and prepared by OakTree Software, Inc. ) 100 (

5 And so the land rested from war. Conclusion: I find these accounts encouraging because they show us the God is with us and can use us as long as we are willing. Joshua, Eleazar and Caleb were still active and still serving the Lord. We never need to feel as if our time is past. Yes, we may be limited by our age and physical condition in what we can do, but that should not stop us from seeking to serve our Lord. My parents may not get out much, but I know they pray for those who serve the Lord, they pray for us, they encourage us. There is always work to do for the Lord. Dr McGee, who is still serving the Lord even though he now lives with Him,notes: Joshua is an old man and stricken in years. He is not going to be able to lead the children of Israel much longer. He is the leader God used to take the land, but the wars are over. He was eighty years old when God called him, and now he is about one hundred twenty years old. He had led Israel forty years. Time seems to have passed more quickly since Israel is in the land. The wilderness journey, by comparison, seemed long and drawn out. Now that Israel is in the land of milk and honey, they are laying hold of their possessions, and time passes quickly. Friend, time would not pass so slowly for some people if they were living a life for God. My, how fast the time goes when you are serving Him! 7 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him (Psalm 92:11-15). With the Lord we will never be over the hill. Another birthday means another opportunity to serve the Lord. As Joshua said, let us say: But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15). 7 McGee, p. 28. ) 101 (

6 Joshua The Work of Walk Joshua 13:1-14:15 I THE WORK ISN T OVER 13: 1-12 II THE WORK OF ALLOCATION 13:13-33 III THE WORK OF DISTRIBUTION 14: 1-5 IV THE WORK OF WALK 14: 6-15 A. Ready To Retire: (Deuteronomy 31:7) B. Reading The Will: (Exodus 32:29; Numbers 3:45) C. Remembering Moses: (Numbers 27:21, 34:17; Numbers 35:1-8)

7 D. Reminded By Caleb: (Judges 1:9-10) E. Reflections on Age: (Psalm 92:11-15; Joshua 24:15) Personal Application: Do you think of your life in terms of long term service for the Lord? If no, should you rethink your goals? If yes, how does this impact you an a daily basis? Prayer for the Week: Lord, I give You the praise for the ongoing opportunities to serve You, now and until You call me home. In Jesus name, amen.

8 Joshua Appendix 1 MAPS

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