A Case for the Bible: Basic Answers for the Book of Joshua Chapters 21-24

Answers for a study in the book of Joshua” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

Review and Bible Study

Chapter 21: Forty-eight Cities of the Levites

In this chapter we read about the allotment of cities and pasturelands for the Levites within the various tribes as promised by the LORD through Moses. We read about the various families within the tribe and where they were to receive cities and pasturelands to live, feed and raise their families. The Levites were not to possess land as a tribe, but be dispersed throughout the entire land in order to serve in the duty of priests for the people. At the end of the chapter, we read that “the LORD gave them [the Israelites] rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and not one of the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”

Note: The Levites were scattered, but situated so that almost no one was more than a day’s journey from a Levitical city so that the people could be ministered to.

Prophecy = The sons of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, were assigned within the southern tribes, especially Judah, and this would serve a purpose later on when God will use these specific priests to preserve and protect the Scriptures, and minister to the “Seed” line.

C = This concludes the campaign at this time with the allotments of land dispersed (Abrahamic); 21:44-45 shows that the Nation of Israel was under God’s protection at this time, according to the Mosaic Covenant.

J = God’s always fulfills His Covenant Promises, as seen in the book of Joshua, thus we can have confidence in the Covenant promises fulfilled in Jesus as the promised Messiah, and in those Jesus promised us that are to come.

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Discuss: What happened with the tribe of Levi, and why?
2. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter? Are there any prophetic passages in this chapter?

Chapter 22: Eastern Tribes Return to their Land Beyond the Jordan; The Offensive Alter

In the first part of this chapter, Joshua tells the tribes who had been given land east of the Jordan (Reuben, Gad and ½ tribe of Manasseh), to now return to their homes. He specifically warns them to be sure to observe the commandment and the law which Moses gave them, and to walk in all the ways of the LORD. In the second part of the chapter there is a huge misunderstanding that almost caused war between the tribes on the east and those on the west. The tribes on the east built an alter as a remembrance and a sign of unity between the tribes for generations to come, not as a new alter for sacrifice, nor as a new religion as the tribes on the west thought they had. Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the priest, and ten of the leaders from the western tribes rightfully came and spoke with the eastern tribes and an understanding was made; and the alter was called “Witness.”

C = We see the nation and the land complete (as much as would happen at this time) fulfilling part of the Abrahamic Covenant.

J = We see Phinehas as the mediator between the people, and ultimately between the people and God at this time (note: this would continue to be the role of the high priest until Jesus fulfills the role as the perfect high priest once and for all).

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Discuss: Who were the tribes that Joshua gave rest to, and what was the misunderstanding that happened? How was it resolved?
2. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter? Are there any prophetic passages in this chapter?

Chapter 23: Joshua’s Farewell Address

Joshua is now old and advanced in age and begins a final address to the Nation. This address consists of recapping their success as a nation, and God’s Covenant Promise as the guiding force. He warns them to continue to faithfully and firmly follow all that is in the book of the law of Moses, and to love the LORD their God. He also warns them (prophetically) to not follow or intermingle with the other nations, because when they do they will lose God’s protection and the land.

C = We see a review and emphasis on the Covenant Promise of the Nation and Land from the Abrahamic Covenant and the conditional aspect of the Mosaic Covenant in that obedience would equal protection, and disobedience would result in consequences and loss of everything, including the land they had come to possess.

Prophecy = We can notice the use of the word “when” they transgress the covenant of the LORD that these things would happen (not if, but when), and we see all of this happen later on in the history of Israel when they intermarry and eventually all but Judah will be assimilated into other people groups.

J = Joshua again serves as a mediator between God and the people, as well as the last real leader of Israel as a nation until the time of the kings (and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus).

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Discuss: What did Joshua warn the people about and why?
2. Research: Give some examples of when, in the coming history of Israel, did these warnings of Joshua happen?
3. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter? Are there any prophetic passages in this chapter?

Chapter 24: Joshua Reviews Israel’s History; Joshua’s Death and Burial

In the first part of this chapter, Joshua reviews the history of Israel, from Abraham through this particular time and place they were now at. Then in verses 14-15 Joshua again warns the people to serve only the LORD, and he makes his own pledge: “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” The people respond said they would serve the LORD in response to Joshua. Joshua tells them that they would ultimately not be able to, and they would suffer the consequences. Joshua then made a covenant with the people, and he wrote these words in the book of the law of God. The chapter and book ends with the death of Joshua at 110 years old and Eleazar, son of Aaron also died. There is a note that they also buried the bones of Joseph (as he requested) in Shechem.

Note: Verse 26 supports Joshua’s authorship and continue preservation of the Torah.

C = In reviewing their history Joshua was making sure that the people understood God’s Promises through Abraham and Moses, so that they would continue to follow God’s plan and purpose going forward, and they said they would, but in just the next generation they would not.

Prophecy = There are two things: 1) Joshua told the people, in verse 19, that they would be unable to serve the LORD (and this happens in just one generation); 2) There is a fulfillment of prophecy in Joseph’s request to have his bones buried in the Promised Land which they did in Shechem; this is the property that Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem (this also explains more of the story from Genesis chapter 34).

Leader Focus Questions for summary discussion:

1. Discuss: Why do you think Joshua reviewed the history of Israel with the people at this time; what warning did Joshua give the people, and what was his own pledge? How did the people respond?
2. Research: What was important about the bones of Joseph and where he was buried? (Research Genesis to find the answer).
3. Going Deeper/Advanced: Are there any Covenants in view in this chapter? Is there a picture of Jesus in this chapter? Are there any prophetic passages in this chapter?

Application: How can this book and its teachings apply to us today? Are there lessons learned; are there reasons we should know this history; does it help us understand God’s character and love for His people and His foreshadowing the promise of His Son, etc.? (Answers will vary, but can include personal, cultural or timeless teachings for us today)

Importance today:

• Today, we are not under the Laws the Israelites were to follow from the Mosaic Covenant, including their rituals and regulations, because all has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 9 and 10).
• Studying this history helps us see the different aspects of Jesus’ sacrifice and points us to God’s ultimate purpose fulfilled in Him.
• We get a clear portrayal of God’s patience as He withholds judgment and preserves the Nation in times of their defiance; even though He disciplines them along the way, He never leaves them.
• We also learn about the importance of God’s Promises as He unfolds the fulfilling of His Covenant to Abraham, and especially the Genesis 3:15 part of the Adamic Covenant.
• We see the importance of obedience by the people of Isreal to God’s commands [Mosaic Covenant], and this models the importance of our obedience to Christ Jesus.
• Even though our salvation is not based on our works in obedience to the Law (or anything else), because of God’s saving grace, we should want to follow the LORD in all we do, because we love Him.
• Joshua models a righteous and faithful leader, and He is a picture or type of Jesus.
• Joshua’s name is Jesus (Yeshua) – yet another foreshadowing of the Messiah to come