Jericho

「GOD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for I will deliver them into your hands; not one of them shall withstand you.”」

The sacred chest symbolizing God's covenant presence with Israel, guiding and blessing them.

How did Joshua's allotment of the twelve tribes foreshadow the later division of the kingdom?

Tribal tensions in Joshua—geographic and identity fissures that foreshadowed future division.

「Appoint three representatives from each tribe; I will send them out to go through the country and write down a description of it for purposes of apportionment, and then come back to me.」

Twelve stones taken from the Jordan riverbed set up as a permanent sign of God's miraculous crossing, meant to teach future generations of His faithfulness.

Were there already seeds of north-south division in the Joshua period?

Tracing tribal tensions back to the book of Joshua.

「And the border went down unto the brook of Kanah, southward of the brook: these cities belonged to Ephraim among the cities of Manasseh: and the border of Manasseh was on the north side of the brook, and the goings out thereof were at the sea:」

The land promised by God to Israel as a possession, symbolizing covenant blessing and rest.

Before the kingdom split, what seeds of division were already sown in the Joshua era?

Joshua's closing record of unconquered lands and intermingled peoples foreshadowed the coming split.

「Three days later, the officials went through the camp」

God's sacred name and reputation, tied to His glory and faithfulness, often invoked to plead for divine action.

Before the kingdom split, what seeds of division were already sown in the Joshua era?

Joshua's closing record of unconquered lands and intermingled peoples foreshadowed the coming split.

「And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?」

The five daughters of Zelophehad who, having no male heirs, successfully claimed their father's inheritance under Mosaic law, establishing a landmark precedent for women's inheritance rights.

How did Joshua's allotment of the twelve tribes foreshadow the later division of the kingdom?

Tribal tensions in Joshua—geographic and identity fissures that foreshadowed future division.

「And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.」

An honorific title for Moses emphasizing his special role as God's agent who carried out divine instructions, particularly in allocating the land to the tribes of Israel.

Were there already seeds of division among the tribes in Joshua's time?

From Joshua's farewell charge, look back at tensions within the tribal confederation.

「the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;」

Caleb's exclusive devotion to God, serving as a model of faith that secures divine promises.

Were there already seeds of division among the tribes in Joshua's time?

From Joshua's farewell charge, look back at tensions within the tribal confederation.

「And the men said unto her, We will be guiltless of this thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.」

The nearest relative of a murder victim responsible for avenging the death, yet subject to mercy through cities of refuge. Reflects God's balance of justice and mercy.

Were there already seeds of north-south division in the Joshua period?

Tracing tribal tensions back to the book of Joshua.

「They answered Joshua, “We will do everything you have commanded us and we will go wherever you send us.」

Divine command to Joshua not to fear mighty armies, emphasizing trust in God's promised victory.

「Now the Reubenites and the Gadites, along with the other half-tribe, had already received the shares that Moses assigned to them on the east side of the Jordan—as assigned to them by Moses the servant of GOD:」

Supernatural confusion and fear inflicted by God on enemies, demonstrating divine sovereignty and victory in battle.

「And their south border was from the uttermost part of the Salt Sea, from the bay that looketh southward;」

Allowed to inherit land in the absence of male heirs, demonstrating God's justice and care for women's rights.

「Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem: 12 towns, with their villages.」

God's promise to Joshua echoing the divine name from Exodus 3, assuring divine presence and non-abandonment.

「Apart from the Hivites who dwelt in Gibeon, not a single city made terms with the Israelites; all were taken in battle.」

The sacred practice of casting lots before the LORD to apportion land, signifying divine sovereignty and providential guidance in the division of the inheritance.

「Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of Jehovah sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.」

Moses's distinctive title highlighting his role as God's appointed agent; links the conquest narrative to Mosaic authority, covenant faithfulness, and God's promises to Israel.

「As for the other clans of the Kohathites, the remaining Levites descended from Kohath, the towns in their lot were: From the tribe of Ephraim」

A land share granted by God to each tribe, underscoring individual and communal blessings within the covenant.

「and Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,」

The tribe set apart for serving God and managing the tabernacle/temple, who received no contiguous territory but were scattered among the tribes.

「But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.」

Hebrew for fraud or trickery. The Gibeonites' disguise reveals Israel's failure to seek God's guidance before making critical decisions—a spiritual lapse.

「The Israelites, however, violated the proscription: Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of that which was proscribed, and GOD was incensed with the Israelites.」

The active, ever-present God who manifests power and drives out enemies before His people.

「And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half - tribe of Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,」

Items totally devoted to God in war, forbidden for personal use; violating this ban brings divine judgment.

「and said to them, “You have observed all that Moses the servant of GOD commanded you, and have obeyed me in everything that I commanded you.」

Ancestors of a race of giants; King Og of Bashan was their last remnant. Their defeat represents the end of the pre-Israelite, mysterious peoples of the land.

「And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of Jehovah.」

A sacred agreement between God and Israel (or with Gibeon) establishing peace and unity, central to biblical theology.

「And the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.」

The tribe set apart for service in the sanctuary; their inheritance is the LORD Himself.

「When Joshua had instructed the troops, the seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns advanced before GOD, blowing their horns; and the Ark of GOD’s Covenant followed them.」

The divine Teaching given through Moses, the foundational guide for Israel's covenant life. Joshua commands faithful observance without deviation to either side.

「And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the manslayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.」

God's repeated command to Joshua, emphasizing courage and reliance on divine presence.