JOSHUA LESSON 15
We will begin this lesson in Joshua 14:1 "And these [are the
countries] which the children of Israel inherited in the land of
Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the
heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel,
distributed for inheritance to them."
We see all aspects of the lives of the Israelites represented
here. Joshua was their representative, like Moses had been, and was
over all. The priests represented the church in all of this, and
actually were under Joshua in matters like this. Then, the one chosen
from each tribe to separate the portion each tribe got, was next. The
order and the unity of the Israelites was shown in this. God had given
explicit instructions to Joshua, and he had done exactly as God
commanded him.
Joshua 14:2 "By lot [was] their inheritance, as the LORD
commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and [for] the
half tribe."
God had instructed them to cast lots, to decide which tribe got
each portion of land. They believed the wishes of God would be shown
in this manner. The land on the other side of Jordan had already been
given. This casting of lots is for the land west of the Jordan River,
to be divided to the nine and a half tribes.
Joshua 14:3 "For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes
and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he
gave none inheritance among them."
We remember, the land on the eastern side of Jordan had already
been given to Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. The Levites
inherited some cities to live in, and their living was of the
offerings in the tabernacle.
Joshua 14:4 "For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh
and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land,
save cities to dwell [in], with their suburbs for their cattle and for
their substance."
Since the tribe of Levi did not inherit land, there was an extra
portion. God gave the tribe of Joseph, through his two sons, Ephraim
and Manasseh, two portions. Without Joseph, there would have been no
tribes. He had kept them alive in Egypt during the famine. The Levites
received a small portion of land around the cities they inherited, to
have a place to graze their cattle.
Joshua 14:5 "As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of
Israel did, and they divided the land."
The commandment had been given to Moses, before he died. Moses
had passed this information on to Joshua. Joshua did not question
this. He did just as he had been commanded of God through Moses.
Joshua 14:6 "Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in
Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him,
Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God
concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea."
Caleb was a Kenezite. He and Joshua were the only two, of the
twelve spies that searched the promised land, that were allowed to see
the promised land.
Joshua 14:7 "Forty years old [was] I when Moses the servant of
the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I
brought him word again as [it was] in mine heart."
This is explaining that Caleb knew in his heart they could take
the promised land, but he was outnumbered. After this search of the
promised land, they wandered another 38 years in the wilderness before
coming back to enter the promised land. This means, at that time,
Caleb would have been 78 years old. Joshua's battles, with the enemy,
have lasted about 7 years at this time. This means he is 85 years old,
approximately, when this is written.
Joshua 14:8 "Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made
the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God."
This is an explanation of Caleb's position in the matter of the
searching out the promised land. Caleb believed that nothing was too
strong for God. He believed, with God leading the way, they could take
the promised land. The other ten {not including Joshua}, thought the
people of Canaan were too strong for them to take. The ten doubters
convinced the Israelites they could not take the promised land. Caleb
was totally obedient to God, even in the face of all the other's
doubt.
Joshua 14:9 "And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land
whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy
children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my
God."
Numbers 14:22 "Because all those men which have seen my glory,
and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have
tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;"
Numbers 14:23 "Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto
their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:"
Numbers 14:24 "But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit
with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land
whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it."
Joshua 14:10 "And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he
said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word
unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness:
and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old."
We see a confirmation, that the time this is being spoken, Caleb
is 85 years old. God had not let Caleb die with the doubters in the
wilderness, but kept His Word and brought Caleb to the land of
promise.
Joshua 14:11 "As yet I [am as] strong this day as [I was] in the
day that Moses sent me: as my strength [was] then, even so [is] my
strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in."
Caleb has just as much strength to do God's will at 85, as he did
at 40. He is saying, he can protect the land that God gives him,
because God is with him. He should be allowed to choose, because he
had been faithful to God.
Joshua 14:12 "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the
LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims
[were] there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fenced: if so
be the LORD [will be] with me, then I shall be able to drive them out,
as the LORD said."
The Anakims were larger people than the Israelites. Caleb was not
afraid of them, however. He placed his trust in God, not in the flesh
of men. This is the area around Hebron. It is made up of hills and
valleys. He would be coming against one of the strongest enemies they
would face, but he was not afraid, because he knew the LORD was with
him. His confidence lay not in himself, but in the LORD. He had been
promised the land, and he wanted this specific land.
Joshua 14:13 "And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son
of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance."
Joshua remembered the specifics of all of this, because he and
Caleb were the two spies who brought back the good report. He did as
Caleb requested, because he knew it was right.
Joshua 14:14 "Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb
the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he
wholly followed the LORD God of Israel."
We see that closely following the will of the LORD, brings
rewards. He is given the parcel of land he desires, because of his
great faithfulness. We, Christians, can take a lesson from this. God
blesses those who remain faithful to do His will.
Joshua 14:15 "And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjath-arba;
[which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest
from war."
Hebron had, possibly, been the original name of this place. It
had been renamed for the wicked giant Arba. Now, Caleb will change the
name back to Hebron, as it was in the beginning. This city was known
as the city of four, because it is believed Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob were buried there. Caleb received the most important city by
his request. Christianity is a way of life. We obey the commands of
our Lord and He blesses us.
Joshua 15 Questions
1. Who did the dividing of the land?
2. Who was Joshua's father?
3. What is represented in verse 1?
4. How was their land decided?
5. Which land was decided this way?
6. Who had given the land on the east side of Jordan to the two and a
half tribes?
7. Who were the two and a half tribes by name?
8. What did the Levites inherit?
9. The living of the Levite came from the __________ in the ________.
10. Who were the two sons that inherited for the tribe of Joseph?
11. Who had the LORD given the commandment about the separation of the
land?
12. Caleb was a __________.
13. Who were the only two, of the twelve spies, who were allowed to
see the promised land?
14. How old was Caleb, when they searched the promised land the first
time?
15. How much longer did they wander in the wilderness, after the
incident at Kadesh-barnea?
16. Approximately, how long did Joshua lead the battles, before they
actually separated the land?
17. What had the ten spies, who brought the evil report, do to the
people?
18. What happened to the ten doubting spies?
19. What had Moses sworn to Caleb on that day?
20. Read aloud Numbers chapter 14 verses 22 through 24.
21. How old is Caleb at this writing?
22. What was Caleb's physical condition at this time?
23. Who does Caleb place his faith in?
24. Who were the people in the area of Hebron, that Caleb would have
to defeat?
25. What city did Joshua give Caleb for an inheritance?
26. Why had Hebron been changed to Kirjath-arba?
27. The city of Hebron was known as the city of ________.
28. Who was believed buried at Hebron?
29. Christianity is a way of ________.
30. We obey the commands of our Lord, and He _________ us.
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