Division of the Land

Joshua's military campaigns have successfully subdued much of the southern and northern regions of Canaan. This, however, is only the first stage in settling the land. Now comes the work of properly setting borders that will define the various areas of land given to each tribe.

Chapters 13 to 21 provide detailed information concerning the areas of land that God gave both to certain individuals for their particular service (i.e. Caleb, Joshua, priests, Levites) and then to each of the tribes according to the size of their population.

I. Division of the Land

Joshua chapters 13 and 14 describe the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel. This division occurs after much of the land has been conquered, although some areas remain to be fully subdued.

1. Overview of the Land Still to Be Conquered (Joshua 13:1-7)

Joshua's Age and Task

As Joshua was advanced in age, God reminded him that much of the land remained to be possessed, including territories of the Philistines, Geshurites, and others.

Instruction to Divide the Land

Despite the unfinished conquest, God instructed Joshua to begin dividing the land among the nine and a half tribes of Israel (the other two and a half tribes had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan).

2. The Land East of the Jordan (Joshua 13:8-33)

The land east of the Jordan River had already been allocated by Moses to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. This land includes the territories of:

• Reuben: Territory includes land from Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Valley, the city of Heshbon, and the plateau around Medeba.
• Gad: Territory includes Jazer, all the cities of Gilead, and the land of the Ammonites as far as Aroer, which is east of Rabbah.
• Half-Tribe of Manasseh: Territory includes Bashan (land of Og king of Bashan) and all the towns of Jair, with sixty cities.

3. The Land West of the Jordan (Joshua 14)

Inheritance of the Nine and a Half Tribes

The remainder of the land west of the Jordan was divided among the remaining tribes of Israel by casting lots, under the supervision of Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the tribes. This included the land of the Canaanites, from the Jordan River to the Great Sea (Mediterranean).

Caleb's Inheritance

Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, was granted a special inheritance because of his faithfulness to God. He had been one of the two spies (along with Joshua) who had encouraged Israel to trust God and enter the land during the time of Moses.

Request and Grant: Caleb asked for the hill country of Hebron, which had been promised to him by Moses. Despite its strong fortified cities and the presence of the Anakim (giants), Caleb was confident in God's help to drive them out. Joshua blessed Caleb and granted him Hebron as his inheritance.

II. Summary of the Land Division

The allocation of land west of the Jordan was to be conducted through a detailed and orderly process of casting lots, ensuring that each tribe received its portion according to God's command. The land included diverse regions—coastal plains, hill country, valleys, and more—each assigned to different tribes.

The division of the land among the tribes of Israel, described in Joshua chapters 15 to 19, details the allocation of specific territories to each tribe. This division was done by casting lots under the supervision of Joshua, Eleazar the priest, and the tribal leaders.

The allocation of land was both a fulfillment of God's promise to the descendants of Abraham and a practical division based on the size, needs, and circumstances of each tribe.

In the following summary of the information contained in Joshua chapters 15 to 19 I'll provide a brief description on the territory each received as well as possible reasons for the particular allotment of land and any unique details concerning each.

1. The Tribe of Judah (Joshua 15)

Territory: Judah received a large portion of land in the southern part of Canaan, extending from the Dead Sea westward to the Mediterranean Sea and from the southern wilderness to the northern border near Jerusalem.

Reason for Allocation: Judah's allotment was extensive because Judah was one of the largest tribes and had a significant role in the leadership of Israel. The tribe was also the lineage through which King David and, ultimately, the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come.

Unique Details:

• Caleb's Inheritance: Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, received Hebron as his inheritance, as promised by Moses due to his faithfulness (Joshua 14). Caleb's successful conquest of Hebron and his request for this challenging territory highlighted his faith and courage.
• Jerusalem: Although Jerusalem fell within Judah's boundaries, it remained under Jebusite control at this time (Joshua 15:63).

2. The Tribe of Ephraim (Joshua 16)

Territory: Ephraim's territory was located in the central highlands, including areas north of Judah and south of Manasseh. It extended from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Reason for Allocation: Ephraim was one of the two tribes descended from Joseph, who received a double portion of inheritance through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim was given a separate inheritance due to its prominence among the tribes.

Unique Details

Incomplete Conquest: Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, and the Canaanites continued to live among them, albeit under forced labor (Joshua 16:10). This reflects the partial obedience and ongoing struggles with the Canaanite inhabitants.

3. The Half-Tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17)

Territory: The half-tribe of Manasseh received land to the north of Ephraim, extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, with boundaries adjoining those of Ephraim.

Reason for Allocation: As with Ephraim, Manasseh received land due to being a son of Joseph. Manasseh, being large and divided into two half-tribes (one east of the Jordan and one west), received a significant portion of land.

Unique Details

Daughters of Zelophehad: Manasseh's allocation includes a unique legal case where the daughters of Zelophehad, who had no brothers, petitioned for and received their father's inheritance (Joshua 17:3-6). This set a precedent for inheritance rights for women in Israel.

Expansion Request: The descendants of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) requested more land due to their large population. Joshua granted them additional land in the forested hill country, but they were required to clear the land and drive out the Canaanites with iron chariots (Joshua 17:14-18).

4. The Tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:11-28)

Territory: Benjamin received a smaller territory sandwiched between Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north, including parts of the central hill country and the area surrounding Jerusalem.

Reason for Allocation: Benjamin's territory served as a buffer between the two dominant tribes, Judah and Ephraim. The central location of Benjamin's land would later play a significant role in Israel's history, particularly with the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital.

Unique Details

Strategic Location: The territory included important cities such as Jericho, Bethel, and Jerusalem (partially shared with Judah), making it a strategically important area.

5. The Tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:1-9)

Territory: Simeon's inheritance was unique in that it was not a separate, distinct territory but was instead within the southern portion of Judah's land.

Reason for Allocation: Simeon's smaller population and lesser prominence led to its land being drawn from Judah's larger territory. This allocation fulfilled Jacob's prophetic blessing that Simeon would be scattered within Israel (Genesis 49:5-7).

Unique Details

Integration with Judah: Simeon's territory was essentially absorbed into Judah's land, leading to the tribe's eventual assimilation into Judah. Simeon did not maintain a strong independent identity in later history.

6. The Tribe of Zebulun (Joshua 19:10-16)

Territory: Zebulun's land was located in the northern region, bordered by Asher to the west, Naphtali to the north, and Issachar to the south. It included the area near the Sea of Galilee.

Reason for Allocation: Zebulun's location provided access to trade routes and the fertile land of the Jezreel Valley.

Unique Details

Prophetic Fulfillment: The territory's location aligns with Jacob's blessing that Zebulun would dwell by the seashore and be a haven for ships (Genesis 49:13), indicating its access to important trade routes.

7. The Tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:17-23)

Territory: Issachar's land was situated in the fertile Jezreel Valley, extending from the Jordan River westward.

Reason for Allocation: Issachar's territory was agriculturally rich, which was well-suited to the tribe's lifestyle and role in supporting the nation.

Unique Details

Agricultural Riches: The Jezreel Valley was one of the most fertile areas in Canaan, making Issachar's land ideal for farming and contributing to Israel's overall food supply.

8. The Tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:24-31)

Territory: Asher received the northern coastal region, extending from Mount Carmel to the northwestern border of Canaan.

Reason for Allocation: Asher's location along the coast made it a key area for trade and interaction with other nations.

Unique Details

Coastal Access: Asher's territory included key coastal cities and harbors, giving the tribe access to maritime trade and interactions with the Phoenicians.

9. The Tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:32-39)

Territory: Naphtali's land was located in the northernmost part of Canaan, west of the Jordan River, bordering the Sea of Galilee and extending to the region of Mount Hermon.

Reason for Allocation: The allocation provided Naphtali with a mix of fertile land and strategic highlands, which were important for defense and agriculture.

Unique Details

Highlands and Galilee: Naphtali's territory included the mountainous regions and the area around the Sea of Galilee, which would later be significant in the New Testament era.

10. The Tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:40-48)

Territory: Dan's initial allotment was in the coastal plain between Judah and Ephraim, but the tribe later migrated north to capture the city of Laish (renamed Dan) due to pressure from neighboring peoples.

Reason for Allocation: Dan's original territory was strategically located near key trade routes and the coastal area, but it was also vulnerable to attacks from the Philistines.

Unique Details

Migration: Due to difficulties in securing their allotted land, the Danites migrated and conquered Laish in the north, establishing a new settlement far from their original inheritance (Judges 18). This movement highlighted the tribe's struggle to maintain their initial allotment.

11. The Gift to Joshua (Joshua 19:49-51)

After the division of the land among the tribes, Joshua himself was granted the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim as his inheritance, fulfilling the Lord's command to give him a special portion for his leadership.

Conclusion

The division of the land among the tribes of Israel in Joshua 15-19 was carefully organized and carried out with consideration of each tribe's size, needs, and historical significance. Each tribe received a territory that reflected its role within the nation of Israel, with unique features that would influence its future development. The process of casting lots ensured that the division was seen as being directed by God, maintaining fairness and divine order.

III. Cities of Refuge/Cities for the Levites – Joshua 20-21

1. Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20)

Idea and Purpose

Concept: The cities of refuge were established as safe havens where individuals who had accidentally killed someone could flee to avoid revenge from the victim's family (the "avenger of blood").

Purpose: The primary purpose of these cities was to provide a fair trial and protect the accused from immediate retribution, ensuring that justice was served while preventing the escalation of violence. The accused could remain in the city of refuge until they stood trial before the assembly or until the death of the high priest, after which they could return home without fear of retribution.

Biblical Reference: The concept of cities of refuge was first introduced in the Mosaic Law (Numbers 35:9-34, Deuteronomy 19:1-13) and was implemented in Joshua 20. Six cities were designated as cities of refuge: three on the west side of the Jordan River (Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron) and three on the east side (Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan).

Points of Interest

Justice and Mercy: The cities of refuge reflect the balance between justice and mercy in Israelite society. They provided a means to protect the innocent while ensuring that those guilty of intentional murder were still held accountable.

Accessibility: The cities were strategically located to be easily accessible from any part of the land, ensuring that anyone in need could reach safety quickly.

2. Cities for the Levites (Joshua 21)

Idea and Purpose

Concept: The Levites, the priestly tribe, did not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Instead, they were given cities scattered throughout the lands of the other tribes, along with surrounding pasturelands for their livestock.

Purpose: The Levites were set apart for religious duties, serving in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. Their dispersion throughout the land ensured that they could fulfill their spiritual and educational roles among all the tribes of Israel, maintaining the religious and moral integrity of the nation.

Biblical Reference: The allocation of these cities was in accordance with God's command to Moses (Numbers 35:1-8). A total of 48 cities were given to the Levites, including the six cities of refuge.

Points of Interest

Distribution Among Tribes: The Levites were divided into four groups based on their clans (the descendants of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari), and each group received a specific number of cities from different tribes. This distribution reinforced the Levites' role as spiritual leaders throughout Israel.

Inheritance of the Levites: Unlike the other tribes, whose inheritance was land, the Levites' inheritance was the Lord Himself (Joshua 13:33). The cities and pasturelands provided them with the resources needed to live, but their primary focus was on serving God and the community.

Conclusion

Joshua chapters 20 and 21 highlight the careful planning and provision made for both justice and spiritual leadership in Israel. The cities of refuge ensured that justice was administered fairly, preventing blood feuds and providing protection for the innocent. The cities of the Levites ensured that every tribe had access to religious guidance and instruction, promoting the worship of God and adherence to His laws across the land. These chapters illustrate the importance of both justice and religious observance in maintaining a harmonious and faithful community.

IV. General Teaching Points

This material contains a lot of geographical information not necessarily given to draw life lessons, however, there are things we can learn from every part of God's word, even the parts that describe boundary lines and topographical details of the ancient Promised Land. Here are two:

1. God is Faithful in Fulfilling His Promises

Lesson: The distribution of the land among the tribes of Israel, as detailed in Joshua 13-21, underscores God's faithfulness in the fulfillment of His promises. Although the Israelites had to engage in battles and face challenges to claim the land, the division of the land demonstrates God's faithfulness to the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Application: Believers today can draw encouragement from this narrative, recognizing that God's promises are sure, but they often require perseverance, obedience, and trust in His timing. Just as the Israelites had to act in faith to receive their inheritance, Christians are called to live faithfully, trusting that God will fulfill His promises in their lives, even when the path is challenging or the timing is unclear.

Key Scripture

Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
- Joshua 21:45

2. Spiritual Leadership is Necessary in order to Properly Guide Believers

Lesson: The allocation of cities to the Levites and the establishment of cities of refuge highlight the critical role of spiritual leadership and justice in maintaining a healthy community. The Levites were spread throughout the land to provide religious instruction, guidance, and support, ensuring that the spiritual needs of the people were met across all tribes. The cities of refuge ensured justice and mercy were upheld, protecting the innocent and maintaining social order.

Application: This teaches modern believers the importance of having godly leadership and spiritual guidance. Whether in the context of the church, family, or broader society, spiritual leaders play a vital role in upholding justice according to God's principles. It also reminds individuals of their responsibility to support and respect those in spiritual authority. Leaders will be judged based on their work, we will be judged on how we acted to support and encourage or weakened them through indifference and criticism.

Key Scripture

²"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, ³that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood.
- Joshua 20:2-3

These lessons emphasize the faithfulness of God's promises and the vital role of spiritual leadership, both of which are essential for the well-being and growth of individuals and churches.