Eden to Eternity Vol. 1, Joshua 13-24
Come along with me as I complete The Daily Grace Co.’s Eden to Eternity study!
This chronological Bible study requires us to dive into the 66 books of God’s Word while encouraging self-reflection and application. In the following posts, I intend to discuss the content, existing themes, and perceived messages throughout the Bible so we may dwell in scripture together.
I hope we can approach God's word with an open heart and fall more in love with Christ, who had our eternal salvation in mind all along!
6/66 | Author: Unknown | Old Testament | Genre: Historical | 1406-1375 B.C. (estimated)
13: Unconquered Land
Joshua had grown old, but land for the Israelites to claim remained. The Lord said He would drive out the people dwelling in these areas.
The inheritance of each tribe was determined by its boundaries.
14: Caleb's Inheritance (cont.)
Caleb told Joshua that Moses promised him the hill country of Hebron because of his honest report amidst the fearmongering.
"As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these forty-five years as He promised, since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out." (Joshua 14:10-11).
So, it was.
15: Judah's Inheritance
Judah received their land in the south.
Caleb received another portion from Judah because Caleb drove out the land's inhabitants. Caleb offered his daughter to the one who would capture a place called Debir. Othniel would be the conqueror who married Caleb's daughter, Achsah. She asked her father for springs to accompany the land he shared with her.
Overall, Judah claimed nearly sixty cities. The Jebusites could not be moved and remained in Jerusalem with the tribe of Judah.
16: Joseph and Ephraim's Inheritance
Joseph and Ephraim's land was defined. However, Ephraim's tribe could not drive out the Canaanites, who settled in Gezer, so they remained enslaved laborers.
17. Western Manasseh
The boundaries of Manasseh were revealed. The daughters of Zelophehad inherited land in this area (remember Numbers 27).
Contrary to the original plan, Canaanites continued to occupy their land. The descendants of Joseph were impacted by the presence of the remaining Canaanites and were commanded to drive them out in order to claim their inheritance.
18. Shiloh and the Benjaminites
The Israelites set up the Tent of Meeting at Shiloh. At that time, seven tribes had not received their lots. Three men from each tribe traveled to the remaining land and surveyed it meticulously. When the reports came back, Joshua assigned the lots.
Of the first lots, the descendants of Benjamin settled in fourteen cities between Judah and Joseph.
19: Inheritance continued
The remainder of the lots cast went as follows:
The descendants of Simeon received seventeen cities.
Zebulun received twelve cities.
Issachar received sixteen settlements across their region.
Asher settled across twenty-two cities and villages.
Naphtali's descendants received nineteen settlements.
Dan settled among seventeen cities.
Joshua received the hill country of Ephraim and restored it. The land was divided among the Israelites.
20: Cities of Refuge
Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan were cities selected to be places of refuge should someone seek temporary shelter after committing a crime unintentionally.
21: The Levite's Inheritance
The Israelites obeyed God's command and donated the Levites forty-eight cities and pieces of land to live off.
"So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled" (21:43-45).
22: The Return Home
Joshua commended the Reubenites, Gadites, and some of Manasseh on their obedience and resilience. He then told them to obey God and head to their new homes. They were blessed with livestock, various materials, and clothing that once belonged to their enemies.
Upon settling, they crafted a notable altar that angered some other Israelites. A Priest and ten leaders from among the Israelites confronted these tribes and accused them of being blasphemous towards God. They remind one another that rebelling against God is equivalent to rebelling against each other. The Reubenites, Gadites, and portion of Manasseh explained that this altar was intended to be a symbol of the Lord for future generations. The Israelites were pleased with this clarification. The altar was called "Witness" since it witnessed the relationship between the Israelites and their Lord God (22:34).
23: Joshua's Farewell
Joshua had reached his final days and collected the Israelites in one last gathering. He reminded them of God's deliverance and instructed them to be strong and obedient. He reiterated the importance of aligning with the law. Joshua warned his people that turning from God to unite with the practices of the outside nations would be like falling into a formidable trap.
24: The History Lesson
Joshua proceeded to recite the Israelites' history, from Abraham's father to their very moment. Reflecting on their past highlighted God's consistent presence and provision.
So, Joshua encouraged the Israelites to follow the Lord. He gave them a choice—the gods their fathers recklessly worshiped when in the land of others or the one true God.
"As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord" (24:15).
The assembly of people, their voices united in determination, proclaimed their choice to worship God, the same God that had rescued them as He did the previous generations.
"We too will worship the Lord, because He is our God" (24:18).
Joshua warned that God is a jealous God and the people will struggle to avoid temptation. They denied this, solidifying their choice to worship God and only God. This agreement was recorded in the law and symbolized by a giant rock positioned near the sanctuary of the Lord.
Joshua died at the age of 110 years and was buried in his territory (24:30). The bones of Joseph were carried from Egypt and laid to rest in the land of his descendants. Aaron's son, Eleazar, also passed away and was buried in his son's land.
Personal Reflections and Inspired Insights from Eden to Eternity:
How are the historical boundaries of the Israelites' inheritance significant to us?
The boundary markers of each tribe's land were discussed in moderate detail in many of the recent chapters. It was not meant to bore us while reading the Bible but to emphasize the meticulousness of God's detailed plans. Psalm 16:5-6 shows David declaring, "Lord, you are my allotted portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." This land God had set aside for His people was defined down to the last centimeter.
Moreover, Caleb showed that God kept a blessing for him and kept Caleb until he could receive it himself! Caleb said, "The Lord has kept me alive these forty-five years as He promised...Here I am today, eighty-five years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out" (Joshua 14:10-11). God ensured that Caleb could fully enjoy his promise when it was time to acquire it. This speaks to the pressure of achieving everything all at once. God set aside a blessing for Caleb and ensured that Caleb arrived right on time to rest in it!
Why will living with one foot in the world and one foot in God's plan never work?
The futility of living with one foot in the world and one foot in God's plan is clear. Holding on to worldly things when entering a purpose divinely set apart for us as individuals is conflicting. We are called to release the world because it is temporary compared to God's intention of eternity. Matthew 6:24 states that we cannot serve two masters. Struggling with priorities leads to frustration, inconsistency, and burnout. It is like running uphill against the wind—exhausting and nearly ineffective. The Israelites allowing the Canaanites to remain in their regions will cause an imbalance with God, which will interfere with the goodness God desired for them.
Before Joshua passed, he gathered the nation of Israel and reassured them of God's character and love for seeking justice, just as Moses did in Deuteronomy. This reminder was not just a historical account but a testament to the enduring nature of God's love and integrity, providing a sense of security and reassurance to the Israelites!
Gratitude List:
Local coffee shops
New Bible studies with the best study partner
Rainy nights
Oversized sweaters
Rekindling
Nail compliments
Cava bowls and pita chips
Friends receiving answers to their prayers
The school year wrapping up
Needing prayer? Submit a prayer request at the bottom of the page!
To learn more about this collection, or to become more familiar with The Daily Grace Co., visit their website!
References
Book of Joshua Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (https://youtu.be/JqOqJlFF_eU?si=fNF0sCnqt9O2m9__)
Daniels, K., Dickerson, T., Dickson, K., Hess, A., & Turner, S. (2022). Eden to Eternity (Vol. 1). The Daily Grace Co.
Joshua Summary & Timeline (Joshua 1 Chapter Summary (biblehub.com))
Myers, R., & Williams, A. B. (2020). She Reads Truth Bible. Holman Bible Publishers.
