Joshua

The Hebrews became a nation forty years previously, when they came out as a people from Egypt, but this is the foundation of Israel as a nation with its own land. Modern arguments against this are irrelevant for any Christian, because what God says is supreme – not what men say.

Penned by Joshua, some suggest this Book (Sefer Yĕhôshúa) was written after the events spoken of, by a prophet as historian. Nevertheless, it is completely accurate, given to men by God through direct inspiration. It is the first book of Deuteronomistic history, covering the time between the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.

This looks at the beginning of Israel-proper, the defeat of enemies, and the dividing-up of the land between the 12 tribes. ‘Scholars’ claim that what is found in the Book is much later than it suggests. Readers should be suspicious of this claim, because it is a typical way to dismiss the authenticity and authority of scripture.

Rabbinical books put the name of Joshua to the Book and I see no problem with that – God can give a man today information pertaining to long ago, and the far future, as well as concerning the present. Atheists and unbelieving theologians tend to cast aside the divine. As believers we must not be tempted to follow these deceptions. On the other hand, there might have been multiple writers. If so, each was divinely inspired to write what they did.

Joshua assisted Moses, who handed over leadership to him, after God refused to allow Moses to enter the Promised Land. Joshua was named Hoshe’a, of the tribe of Ephraim, and was born in Egypt. The name Joshua/Yehoshu’a was given to him by Moses. In Numbers we find him mentioned as one of the 12 spies who toured Canaan to gather intelligence for Moses. He lived to age 110 during the Bronze Age.

This describes the very beginning of the taking of Canaan. The massive collection of Hebrew tribes had already conquered the Amorites to the south-east of Jordan. Now they were poised to begin the taking of the rest of Canaan, starting with Jericho. Just as the Hebrews began their war with only two spies, so modern Christians can wage resistance to evil with just one man or woman, living aright and being holy. (Date for this chapter is approximately 1400BC).

Verses 1&2

1. And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

2. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

Joshua sent out two spies to bring back information regarding Jericho and its surrounding land. They were “sent out of Shittim”. We are not sure if this was the place west of Jerusalem or the place east of the Jordan where the Hebrews camped before crossing the Jordan, but it does not alter the account. Did they cross from east to west... or west of Jordan to travel east to the city? We cannot say for certain, but it is likely they went from the east.

The people of Israel had already experienced God’s mercy, by defeating the Amorites who opposed them. Now they were to live through a great miracle, the stopping of the river Jordan. This would be followed by yet other miracles. In this the people saw God in action, and came to see that Joshua was indeed God’s man. If you know a man is of God, listen to him, insofar as he teaches God’s word and his actions are true, for this is what we must all do.

Verse 1

1. And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

The actual time scale is not given here: Joshua arose early in the morning sometime after receiving the report from the two spies. Any consequent activity after that would have taken a great deal of logistics and planning, unless God Himself gave Joshua direct commands to act straight away. All the tribes moved on to the east bank of the Jordan, by the crossing points, and erected their tents for a short stay.

Very often God can instruct us to do this or that without us knowing what comes next, or what to do. He will then give further instructions at a later date, maybe to commit to action instantly, even if we have no humanly logical reasons to do so – it comes down to trust in God.

The book of Joshua, amongst others, challenges the minds and hearts of so many who call themselves Christians. Modern Christians try to stay quiet, rather than speak of God’s greatness and His miraculous power. This is because their faith is on a knife-edge, and they are afraid to appear to be ‘stupid’ or of low intelligence.

This is why unbelievers think Christians have nothing to say. And even if they do, they agree with pseudo-science and self-professing intellectuals. I have a PhD, which proves something about my intelligence. Many I know also have PhDs in a variety of disciplines. None of us is stupid or of low intellect. So, we do not hide it and will challenge those loud-mouths who try to challenge us! Will you do so to hold your own and speak out for the Lord? You do not need a PhD, just truth and a willing heart.

Verses 1-3

1. And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,

2. Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,

3. And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

The people crossed the Jordan on a dry river bed. When all had passed over God spoke to Joshua about the 12 men previously chosen from the tribes as representatives. Each man was to pick up a large stone from the river bed and to bring it to the dry land on the West of the river. This was where the tribes would sleep for the night. It means the Israelites were now very close to Jericho, and could easily be seen from the walls, bringing terror to the inhabitants.

Do you know when God is acting in your life? Do you recognise it when He does? Or, is your expectation so low, you would not recognise God even if He stood before you? Few believers today actually portray true belief and faith! As a result they see little or nothing of God. It is true that as I write the world is under a dark cloud. Yet, even so, the Lord rules and is soon to rid us of our enemies and His.

Joshua saw the Lord because he obeyed. Excitement was in the air. Is this what you see in your circumstance and life? If not, you are looking away from Jericho and cannot see your Saviour, though He is in plain sight.

Verse 1

1. And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

We see that the “kings of the Amorites... in the side of Jordan westward...” were greatly afraid of the Israelites, because of the Jordan miracle. You might wonder if the text is wrong about the location of the kings; after all, were they not vanquished on the EAST side of the Jordan? Yes, two kings were destroyed along with the Amorites in the east. But, there was more to it...

In this chapter we see the hallmarks of a miracle – the prophecy, and the precise enactment in the stated time and manner. Not all things we think are wondrous are miracles; all true miracles follow the biblical pattern (as described in my book showing why the plagues on Egypt were true miracles). I urge readers to look at this event in real time, for it is a real event. Read it as a mere story and the sense of it will elude you.

Verse 1

1. Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

From the time the Israelites entered Canaan east of Jordan, the rest of Canaan was terrified, and rightly so, for they saw God at work. Thus, Jericho, a great territorial prize, was “straitly shut up”. Though the verb cagar means that Jericho had bolted its gates and the people hid behind the formidable walls, it also means to surrender. When a city locks itself up in this way it shows an inner spirit of surrender, a people waiting to be beaten; they were already defeated in their minds and hearts.

So, for a few weeks no-one entered the city, nor did any leave it, for fear of being killed. This was possible because the city had its own water source, a spring on its east side. Archaeological evidence seems to suggest the spring also ran under the walls to the exterior, so the spring that watered Jericho also helped to water the massive camp of Israel.

Verses 2-5

2. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

3. And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

4. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

5. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

This account is far more serious than most readers will admit. It spells out that the sin of one of God’s people brought God’s anger against the whole of Israel. Do you really think this is not happening today? How many so-called church ‘leaders’, preachers and pastors commit sin that is known to everyone? How many Christians listen to lies and believe in bad doctrine, which is itself a sin? How many have social discourse with pagan believers, pretending that God will not blame them for it?

Friends, we are in a far worse situation than the one we now read about... here is the sin of one man affecting the entire nation. So many of God’s people today are going astray, that His punishment is being put upon us daily! It is our own fault. So, read this carefully and repent immediately; our woes are our own fault.

On some occasions in my ministry I have been impressed by a burden from God. Over the past year or so, this has resulted in issuing dire warnings to believers. In this chapter I see such a warning, to all Christians. Time is very short, and enemies are massing on all sides. It is not the enemies that are my concern, but those who claim to be believers and yet have a superficial view of God’s glory and demands.

We are in the end times, and most do not see we have been swallowed into the belly of the Beast. Just as Jonah was coughed out of the fish, so we must seek God’s help to scramble out of the belly of our greatest enemy – Satan. His friends, also our enemies, are not just willing, they are already activated and surrounding us with their wickedness. But, believers are slow to understand, and to recognise they are in grave danger.

This chapter underlines this danger with the blood of Jesus Christ. Did He save us so we could hide away, or live a diluted form of holiness? No. Being owned by the Lord requires us to live every moment of every day as His servant. And our behaviour and minds must reflect it strongly. Primarily, we are not here to obey our employers, or the government, or our friends, or even our spouses.

We are to obey God, Who saved us. I cannot over-emphasise just how important this chapter is, though I know many will not get to grips with its message and will treat it as just another bit of paper to read. God help them if they look upon it so lightly, for in doing so they will not even notice the enemy coming to destroy them on their own doorstep...

“Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.” (Isaiah 49:1) 

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Here we see God’s word in action. The text is really a summary of how Christians should view God and life. When we obey we live and are blessed; when we disobey we die and lose blessings and are cursed. This is very plain.

The text also shows us that it is God Whose might beats the enemy, not us or our clever arguments or laws. When we obey, God shows us how to live and how to defeat the enemy, if that is His will. Sometimes it is not, at least in the timeframe we expect... God works in His own time, not ours.

Verses 1&2

1. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

2. And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.

God does not hold grudges, nor does He extend suffering for the sake of it. When there is repentance, God grasps our hand immediately showing us His incredible mercy and grace. What we see in verse one is the situation today, when so many believers are at their wits’ end worrying about all kinds of problems and about the encroaching armies of wicked people who want them gone.

The same answer is for us today, as it was for Joshua and Israel: “Fear not, neither be thou dismayed...” God is with us, though to the human eye all is lost! God is in control and nothing happens except it is by His fiat. Even those things we personally see as a disaster... God is in control and whatever happens to His children is within His will. How we measure success and good must be in God’s language not our own. The main ingredient is not to fear or to worry about what is going to happen. It is all in His hands... even when we refuse to accept it and become depressed or anxious!

Beware who you form friendships with, for they may be enemies in disguise... many traitors and enemies wear a benign smile and outward friendliness. Beware, too, of showing compassion to the enemies of God, when He does not show such compassion Himself. Also note how such enemies may not be given total freedom but must be subject to the people of God. That these things are not so today is to our shame and foolishness for allowing our enemies to gain ground, when, all along, they belong in a pit of evil, far away from God’s good grace and truth, and His people.

Verses 1&2

1. And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

2. That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

The people of Canaan who had not yet been beaten, decided to gather against Israel. The reasons would have been twofold – a desire not to end up like those of Ai and Jericho, and a need to get rid of this new force in the land. It is happening today, as homosexuals and Islamists gather to eradicate believers, because believers have God on their side and in their statements, and sinners hate God.

But, gathering evil forces together as one makes no difference. God still rules and is still Lord of evil men also. They can rally and fight, but God only allows what agrees with His demands and aims. Evil men already know this, and their fear of God drives them to insane lengths to be wicked, as if increasing their wickedness will somehow displace God’s will! Not so... their foolishness will drag them down and their many disputations make them appear to be what they are – stupid men with stupid aims.

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This chapter horrifies modern Christians, whose idea of God is one of ‘peace and light’ and cotton-wool ‘love’. How do they reconcile what happens here with their false idea of Who God is and what He demands? Would these people preach this Book as it is – or will they say it was written a long time ago and the same thing would not happen if ‘transferred’ to today?

They are similar to Quakers, for example, who say all war is sinful, so they become pacifists to get out of military involvement. They could not have done so in the days of Joshua! The command to obliterate every Canaanite came from God, and God elected Joshua to lead the new nation of Israel. This meant the ‘displacement’ by death of all pagans. Many miracles were executed during the relatively short period of this chapter and previous ones, proving God was with Israel. These confirmed to the people that Joshua was God’s leader, and so they obeyed.

Though against gratuitous violence and killing, I know that God demands the death penalty for murderers. Therefore, I uphold it and, if it came down to the barest of factors, I would make sure a murderer was put to death, as God demands. I would also make sure that groups of murderers did not readily capture me. Would I defend myself? Yes. Does this make me a backslidden Christian? No. it means I am a realist and obey God. I am fully aware of the distaste some will have for what I have just written. But, I know in my heart that I am being truthful and biblical.

I call upon all believers to think through this episode in the history of Israel, and apply its lessons to today, for what we are seeing worldwide is a murderous pagan uprising so phenomenal, it will cover all people with its violence. Is violence always wrong? No, it is not – we have to define the term properly, and in context. Is killing always wrong? No, it is not – God Himself defines its terms. He tells us that the deliberate murderer MUST be put to death, or the whole nation is guilty of the blood spilt. This is why the West is now bereft of God’s help – we suffer because of our laxity and sins. This chapter is a very serious indictment of our lives today.

Strange though it may seem, this chapter and others are not about slaughter. The slaughter certainly exists and is profoundly witnessed, but it is not the main theme. The theme is far more important and potent – the power of Almighty God, His promises to men, and His hatred of false gods. The slaughter we read of is but an aspect of this. Some have wondered why God should kill so many, or any... but the real question is why He allows ANY of us to live, given our sin!

Modern day Christians need to change their/our minds, so that they/we think as God thinks and not as we wish things to be. This is because what we think is irrelevant if it is not aligned to how and what God thinks. We can never fully think as He does, but we can certainly begin to follow His path of reasoning and desire.

I know that many Christians avoid this kind of chapter, thinking it is just ‘dry bones’. But, they are wrong, for the details given prove the accuracy and authenticity of the Old Testament accounts. They are details only eye-witnesses could give. Some might argue that as the book of Joshua covers about 500 years, how is it possible for the writer to be an eye witness? Two reasons can be given – either God gave the facts direct to the writer, or, the writer relied on the pin-point accuracy of actual eye witnesses who lived in each era. Those who know God understand this.

This chapter lists all the pagan kings who died in their attempt to stand against God/Jehovah. They were anathema to Him and He hated them for their evil doings. God does not change and He hates the same things today. Not just the things done, but those who do them.

(Note: The explanatory comments for this chapter have been truncated, because of the wealth of information contained in it. A separate study article will be written with full details).

Verses 1-5

1. Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.

2. This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,

3. From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:

4. From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:

5. And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

It would appear that Joshua’s decline in body and old age must have been close to the final conquest mentioned in the previous two chapters. Though now old, God told him that much was yet undone. (Note that Joshua and Caleb were the only old men in all of Israel). He gave the now old Joshua specific commands to further destroy the Canaanites who were left, defining the land areas to be conquered.

Included were the borders of the Philistines (west, on the Mediterranean coast), the land of Geshur (possibly other branches of Philistia, or separate, in the south), ranging from Goshen in north Egypt to the north of Ekron. There were five areas ruled by Philistine lords, and a ‘mopping up’ of all Canaanite land to the south and east. Then there was the land of Gebal, and “all Lebanon” as far east as possible.

What was left to accomplish, then, was a very big task. If left undone Israel would be constantly attacked by these enemies, whose victories would otherwise help to turn Israel over to paganism. So, their riddance was vital. I hope modern Christians can see how this works out in today’s atmosphere of Islamic threat to the West.

The bulk of this chapter is concerned with a claim made by Caleb, to Joshua, about Hebron and its mountain range. When God promises something to us we must accept it implicitly, for what He promises will come about and be fulfilled. This might require much patience, but God never lets us down. He promises us His presence, so long as we obey and are faithful, and we must never lose sight of this truth.

See how before Israel had peace they had to fight constant war with God’s enemies. Why should we expect anything less in our day? Caleb was a seasoned warrior and even at age 85 he went out to war, because it was God’s will. How many today bother to shout at an enemy, let alone fight him? No, most Christians are now weak and spineless, with no desire to win the day. And so we perish.

Are we called to fight physically? No, at least not yet. But, the fight may become physical in the near future, and it will be blessed by God. Until that time our fight is spiritual, so at least our spirits must be strong and ready for combat. Are you ready?

Here we see the giving of the inheritance to Judah and Caleb, as promised by God. Today, we can expect our inheritance in Christ to operate, though the days are dark and foreboding, with many trials. If we fail to realise that God always keeps his promises to help His children, then we may never witness it, or will not ‘see’ them even when they are given.

Verses 1-11

1. This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

2. And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

3. And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

4. From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

5. And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

6. And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

7. And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:

8. And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

9. And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:

10. And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

11. And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

This chapter continues to list the places allocated to the tribes, this time to the ‘House of Joseph’. Rather than give details of every place in this study, the reader should look at a map giving the various allocations to all tribes. Other descriptions will be found in a separate article.

Verses 1-4

1. And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,

2. And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

3. And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.

4. So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

The ‘children of Joseph’ or tribes descended from him, were: Ephraim, Manasseh (referred to as the ‘half-tribes’), whose names are usually given instead of the ‘tribe of Joseph’ itself, sometimes called the ‘House of Joseph’/Beit Yosef, whose ensign was that of a little boy. The land given to them mainly ran east of the Jordan and northwards (see previous maps). There was also land to the West of the Jordan, and both portions were the most valuable in all Israel; the two half-tribes became dominant at one time.

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What we have in the Book of Joshua is the founding of the physical land that was promised by God hundreds of years previously, to Abraham and the patriarchs. The promise was always in the minds of the overall nation of Israel, but in the hearts of all Israelites who truly loved the Lord. What this shows is that the land given to Israel was by the direct fiat and law of God, Who much later allocated the various portions to the tribes via Joshua and the elders.

Therefore, what we have in this book in particular, plus others, is the variety of acts that made the ownership of Israel very clear. It was a land legally handed over to the Hebrews (strangers in the land) who transformed into ‘Israelites’. And, though Jesus warned of the downfall of Jerusalem, He never prophesied the total destruction of His chosen people.

The allocation of former Canaanite lands continues...

Verse 1

1. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

For some years after entering Canaan on the East and then fighting many Canaanite tribes and kings, the Israelites were settled enough to set up the Tabernacle at Shiloh. All the tribes and people gathered in one mass to celebrate this event in Shiloh (‘place of rest’) in the tribal land of Ephraim; the tabernacle itself was still the temporary tent from the wanderings. The second sentence seems to suggest that the land was subdued either as a result of this, or as a prior circumstance after fighting the Canaanites. Though subdued and free from major wars, many Canaanites remained in the land.

Verses 2-4

2. And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.

3. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?

4. Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.

To that point only five tribes had received their inheritance-lands. Seven tribes had still to inherit. Joshua was impatient with this and asked why the remaining tribes were so slow in claiming their lands. God promised them a land of their own, hundreds of years previously, brought them out of bondage in Egypt, kept them safe for forty years, and subdued hostile, godless nations, so they could enjoy their inheritance. So, why are they dragging their feet and not taking what belongs to them?

Dividing up the land of Canaan to the remaining tribes comes to an end and all of Israel receives its allotted land, as promised by God through Moses when their forefathers were still in the desert. This ‘template’ stands for all of time on earth. As the chapter concentrates on land and cities, any information on these will be found in a separate publication. Thus, most commentary is for the final two verses. Do not swiftly look past these seemingly boring details – they are proof of the land given to the Jews, promised by God through Moses and earlier patriarchs; land held in perpetuity, and not revoked by illegal Muslim invasions, or ignorant UN resolutions.

Verses 1-9

1. And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

2. And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

3. And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

4. And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,

5. And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,

6. And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:

7. Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:

8. And all the villages that were round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.

9. Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.

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This book continually directs Joshua back to the time he was helping Moses in the desert. This was behind the allocation of land to the tribes... promised to them by God, through Moses. The land has now been allocated and God reminds Joshua to appoint six cities of refuge: Golan, Ramoth, Bosor, Kedesh, Shechem and Hebron.

At that time, anyone who inadvertently killed another person could be tracked down and put to death (‘blood vengeance’). Because deliberate killing is first-degree murder, but inadvertent killing is manslaughter, God distinguished the two. If the killer was able to reach a city of refuge, he could claim asylum for a period of time. The six cities were all Levitical cities (out of 48 Levitical cities), and probably compare to the later time when churches used to allow asylum - sanctuary - for people escaping some civil strife in their lives. (The rules around murder and its judgment were far better than rules we have today).

When someone who had killed was safe in a city of refuge, investigations took place. For deliberate murder there was no such help – death had to be pronounced and executed. The avenger of blood (usually a relative of the dead person) was kept at bay and could not set-upon the killer. A trial was held and the congregation determined from the evidence if the death was deliberate (first-degree murder) or unintentional (manslaughter). If found not guilty of first-degree murder the accused could return to the city of refuge and live there until the high priest died. Then, the killer could return to his own home in safety. But, if he returned before the high priest died, the avenger of blood could kill him. Thus, the law was instituted to avoid undue bloodshed, and to maintain civil order.

Note that God’s law on first-degree murder still stands. He said that a nation that does not put a deliberate murderer to death was itself guilty of the blood he shed. So, it was, and still is, incumbent on all nations to observe God’s command, and to put a murderer to death, regardless of any repentance he might offer. In our own day, this even applies to killers who repent and become saved. I knew a Christian mother whose son committed murder, and agreed with God’s command, though it broke her heart. He was one of the last murderers to receive the death penalty in the UK.

As with all of God’s commands, we may not alter them nor escape them. To avoid their implementation is to disregard God in favour of human emotions and faulty thinking, especially if the one God condemns is a relative or friend.

Though not given land like their brother-tribes, the Levites were not left as beggars, roaming perpetually in Canaan. The tribe of Levi was large, and they needed stability and shelter on a permanent basis, so they would be free to fulfil their role as priests of the Living God. Therefore each tribe was to give some of their cities to the Levites. Thus, the tribe was spread out amongst all the other tribes, a reminder that as priests the Levites had a place  everywhere where God’s people lived, amongst all the tribes, representing the Lord.

Verses 1&2

1. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;

2. And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.

The Levite elders came to Joshua, the high priest and the elders/chiefs of all the tribes. Attendance by the latter was necessary because the various tribes had given cities to the Levites, so they needed to know what was going on. The Levites began by reminding Joshua and the others present, that their cities were given by the tribes, because Moses had the command from God.

As always it is not the human being who is responsible for what God says, but God Himself, and if He commands something it is final, with no negotiation. Today, many Christians think they can pick and choose what to obey, using the excuse that “we are now in a different era”. And some think they can even ignore actual meanings of biblical words, so their personal ‘interpretations’ can be accommodated!

We now come to a peculiar situation – a perceived error of judgment that could have annihilated Israel from within. But, instead, it strengthened Israel. It was a time when Israel had not yet fallen to corporate lies and sin. Later, these sins would proliferate, but for now Israel stood firm and feared God more than man. Hence they were ready to obliterate three tribes rather than incur God’s wrath. Today, we fear men more than we fear God, and so His wrath comes down to us repeatedly. It is why we all suffer, because of the evils of some within the churches. As for me, I will not accept or be at peace with fellow believers who openly sin against the Lord. It is why, as a church, we have not been part of the wider Church... not because it is our intention, but because it is what others have decreed by their aloofness and hatred.

Verses 1-6

1. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,

2. And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:

3. Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.

4. And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.

5. But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.

6. So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.

Canaan now divided up, and cities of refuge established, Joshua called for the elders and chiefs of the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh – the three having their land on the east of the Jordan (the other half of Manasseh was on the west. Dan also had land both sides of the Jordan, though Dan’s western boundary was on the coast of the Mediterranean, they were not called to the meeting).

When the heads of the three tribes assembled before Joshua and the high priest, Joshua spoke. He commended them for doing what Moses required, and for obeying Joshua, and they now had rest from their labours and wars. Therefore, he said, go to your tents and then to your new lands on the east of Jordan. Perhaps because the three tribes were not physically linked to the other tribes, being separated by the Jordan, Joshua warned them to retain godliness and God’s laws, and to Love Jehovah, and live their lives totally loyal to God’s commandments. Serve God with all your hearts! Joshua then blessed them and they went away to their tents.

What we see here is the equivalent of modern Christians being told to ‘reform and be reforming’! Without this continual following of the Lord we cannot maintain godliness or fight off evils and our own imaginations. This is daily, hourly, second-by-second. It is not something we do when we feel like it, or when it is rarely brought to mind! And this is what Joshua was telling the three tribes.

In this chapter we see a strong message for us today. I refer to the welcoming into our midst of Islam via Muslims, their books, and their influence. This ungodly action has brought evil, idolatry, violence and death, with many more heinous results of allowing a satanic religion into the West. The warnings here are very plain. Christians especially have no business welcoming Islam, because their very welcome is proof of a very low understanding of God and Who He is, which places all of us in real danger, from growing idolatry to hatred and murder.

Verses 1-3

1. And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

2. And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

3. And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.

There should not be any reason for believers to turn from God, but we do, frequently. In this final chapter we see Joshua warning the tribes of Israel, that if they turned back to the false gods they once had, or to the religion of the surrounding heathen pagans, God would be filled with wrath and destroy them. The same applies to Christians today, believers whose faith is so lax as to allow them to follow, or have sympathy with, heathen people and their beliefs. Take heed, for the Jews are still being persecuted 2000 years after Christ. And today we are being hounded and attacked not only for our faith in the Lord, but because we are sinful.

Verses 1-4

1. And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

2. And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

3. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

4. And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

The tribes were commanded to gather at Shechem, just north of Jerusalem, to hear what Joshua had to say. The various tribal elders and chiefs, etc., stood before him. As Joshua was dying, he might have whispered his words to a spokesman, or, God gave him strength to speak loudly. He opened by saying that what he had to talk to them about came directly from Jehovah.

He began by reminding them of their history, going back to the “other side of the flood”. That is, just after the Flood occurred. The history is very much shortened, giving just important points. The people quickly reverted to paganism, so God led Abraham out from his home, to travel through Canaan, and to have his own children who would not be corrupted by the family they left behind. From this came Isaac, who had Jacob and Esau. Esau was given Mount Seir (by the Dead Sea: Edom) by God, but Jacob travelled on to Egypt.