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JOSHUA: LESSON 7

VII. LAND INHERITANCE DIVIDED AMONG REMAINING SEVEN TRIBES AND THE DESIGNATION OF THE SIX CITIES OF REFUGE (Chapters 18-21)

A. Preparation for dividing of land (18:1-11, 19:51)

1. New camp established at Shiloh – tent of meeting raised.

2. Three heads of tribes describe the remaining land – written in a book.

3. Levites receive no inheritance – “Jehovah is their inheritance”.

4. Division by lot – at tent of meeting headed by Eleazar (High Priest) and Joshua.

B. Division among seven tribes by lot

1. First lot – Benjamin (18:11-28)

a. Lot located between Judah and children of Joseph

b. 14 cities with their villages.

2. Second lot – Simeon (19:1-9)

a. In midst of inheritance of Judah – Judah’s portion too much.

b. 17 cities with their villages

3. Third lot – Zebulun (19:10-16)

a. 12 cities with their villages

4. Fourth lot – Issachar (19:17-23)

a. 16 cities with their villages

5. Fifth lot – Asher (19:24-31)

a. 22 cities with their villages

6. Sixth lot – Naphtali (19:32-39)

a. 19 cities with their villages

7. Seventh lot – Dan (19:40-48)

a. Cities and villages apportioned by lot plus the city of Leshem

which they possessed by sword and changed the name to Dan in

honor of their father.

C. Joshua given land of his request – Timnath – serah of Ephraim (19:49-50)

D. Six cities of refuge assigned (Chapter 20)

1. Where one could flee who kills one by accident (20:1-6, 9)

a. Protected by avenger of blood – judges by congregation.

b. Must remain till death of high priest

2. Three cities west of Jordan River (20:7)

a. Kedesh – in Galilee of Naphtali

b. Shechem – of Ephraim

c. Kiriatharba (Hebron) – of Judah

3. Three cities east of Jordan River (20:8)

a. Bezer – of Reuben

b. Ramoth – of Gilead

c. Golan – of Manasseh

E. Cities given to Priests and Levites from among tribes (21:1-42)

          1. 13 cities with their “suburbs” - pasture land given to Priests – near                            Jerusalem.

a. Lot for family of Kohathites – Sons of Aaron

2. 48 cities with their “suburbs” – pasture land given to Levites

a. Lot for rest of Kohathites

b. Lot for children of Gershon

c. Lot for children of Merari

F. “So, Jehovah gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give…and they possessed it, and dwelt therein…all came to pass (21:43-45)

1. Jehovah has given people of Israel rest from enemies

2. Jehovah delivered all the enemies into Israel’s hands.

3. No good thing failed of what God spoke to Israel.

QUESTIONS:

1. Where did the congregation move to and set up the tent of meeting?

2. Why had not the seven tribes possessed their possession?

3. What were the three men of each tribe to do to remedy this problem?

4. The remaining distribution of land was given out by (a) by lot (b) population of tribe or (c) both.

5. Name the seven tribes that remain to possess their possessions.

6. Match the tribe with the cities they inherited:

Benjamin                          Beersheba

Judah                                Jerusalem

Simeon                              Rimmon

Zebulun                             Tyre

Gad                                    Jericho

Issachar                             Hazor

Manasseh (East)              Jezreel

Manasseh (West)             Kedesh

Asher                                 Joppa

Reuben                              Bethel

Naphtali                            Hormah

Dan                                    Leshem

7. For what purpose were the cities of refuge designated?

8. When could one rightly leave these cities after fleeing to them?

9. There were Levites in every one of the cities of refuge. (T) (F)

10. What were the three families of the tribe of Levi?  Of which family were the sons of Aaron?  How were they distinguished from the rest of the families of Levi?

11. Does the Bible teach that the land of promise was fulfilled in the days of Joshua?

12. Does the designating of six cites of refuge have anything to do with the preceding question?  Explain: