Where did the whole congregation of Israel assemble at? vs. 1
What did they set up there? vs. 1
Note: Remember that they set up the camp and tent of meeting and took it down again each time the cloud lifted during their 40 years in the wilderness? They had camped in Gilgal after crossing the Jordan River.
Do you recall how the tribes camped around the tent of meeting where the Ark of the Covenant was located and the worship continued by the Levitical priests? Now that several tribes have moved into their places of inheritance, they are not strategically camping around it now.
With the land subdued and peaceful, now is the time to set the tabernacle up in a city of God's choosing. Did He say that He would show them where to do this?
Genesis 49:10
Deuteronomy 12:8-11
What tribe had the city of Shiloh within its' borders where the tabernacle was set up?
Did you find Shiloh in Ephraim's Inheritance?
Looking at the map, what is notable about it's location?
Note: Shiloh was about 15 miles from Jerusalem and in the inherited land of Ephraim. Joshua himself was from this tribe and therefore his inheritance was close to the tent of meeting where the worship took place for all the tribes.
Notice from the map given that Shiloh was in a central location with tribal inheritance all around it. This gave safety to the tent of meeting and also made it more convenient for all tribes to come for the required feasts and the sacrifical offerings.
All of Israel gathered together at Shiloh. (vs.1)
Note: The ark of the covenant remained at Shiloh for approximately 300 years. Eventually the worship of other gods and the disobedience of the nation of Israel brought judgment to them as we will see in the book of Judges.
Eventually God will choose a young shepherd named David to be King of Israel and his throne and the temple will be built in Jerusalem. (See Jermiah 7:12-14 to see how God refers back to His judgment at Shiloh; See Psalm 78:60-72 to see how God brought them back to worship Him in Jerusalem under David as He remembered His covenant promises to them.)
How many tribes had not yet claimed their inheritance? vs. 2
What did Joshua ask them concerning this? vs. 3
God had "given" them the land; all they needed to do was to "claim" it. What promises have we been given in the Christian life that we need to claim by faith?
- Peace through Prayer - Philippians 4:6,7
- Wisdom for Asking - James 1:5
- Open Doors For Knocking - Matthew 7:7,8
- Can you think of others?
Why is it so easy to "put off" walking in the promises of God? Comment on the following verses:
Ecclesiastes 11:4
2 Corinthians 9:6
Galatians 6:7-9
Hebrews 12:3
Rather than "put off" things, what should we "put on" each and every day? Comment on the following verses:
Romans 13:14
Ephesians 4:24
Ephesians 6:11
Colossians 3:12-14
1 Thessalonians 5:8
How many men were they to send out from each tribe to walk the land and bring back a description to Joshua? vs. 4
When the three men of the seven tribes left (which would have been 21 men) brought back the description of the land that was left for their inheritance, how many portions were they to divide it into? vs. 5
Joshua reminded them that Judah would stay in the territory of the south and the house of Joseph (Manasseh) would be to the north (vs.5). They were to bring the description of the seven divisions they had walked and portioned out. What would Joshua do to decide on the portions for each one? vs. 6
Which tribe did not receive a portion among them and why not? vs. 7
Note: The priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance. We have already seen that the priests and Levites had the sacrifices, oblations tithes, first-fruits, redemption-money of the firstborn, etc., for their inheritance; they had no landed possessions in Israel; the Lord was their portion.
Which tribes had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan when Moses was still alive? vs. 7
The men arose and went out to walk the land and describe it by cities in seven divisions in a book. (vs.8,9) Where did they bring the book to? vs. 9
Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD and divided the land according to their divisions. (vs.10)
The lot of the tribe of Benjamin is described.(vs.11-20). What tribes did it lie between? vs. 11
What was on the east side of the inheritance of Benjamin? vs. 20
Twenty-six cities are named that were part of the inheritance of Benjamin. (vs.21-28 ). Among them are some familiar places such as Jericho, Bethel, Gibeon, and even the Jebusite which came to be known as the city of Jerusalem. What is so special about the city of Jerusalem? Comment on the verses below:
1 Kings 11:36
2 Kings 19:31
1 Chronicles 23:25
Psalm 116:19
Psalm 122:6
Psalm 135:21
Isaiah 2:3
Isaiah 40:9
Isaiah 62:1
Applications:
We saw that Joshua was part of the tribe of Ephriam. The apostle Paul of the New Testament was an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin. Comment on the verses below:
Romans 11:1
Philippians 3:4,5
They assembled at Shiloh to worship at the tent of meeting. Do you have a tent of meeting (so to speak) ? Where is your place of worship? How about at home; do you have a place set apart to meet with God? Share your meeting places.
Each day, we need to claim the promises of God. Sometimes, we need to walk the land of our inheritance; the Bible ... find the promises of God, and lay claim to them. What promises are you needing to claim today? Find the verses that you can claim and present them before the Lord. Share them with us if you would like.
Summarize this lesson and post a prayer if you would like.
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