Men's Group Study Guide
Introduction
In this chapter we see how God continues to give Joshua the direction for
his people despite how old Joshua is. Many victories have been had and much
land has been possessed through the provision of God’s grace. A practical
question would be,
“Can’t we stop now and enjoy the spoils of our work?” Even though Joshua is
getting on in years the Lord still tells him that there is much to do and
that they must press on to take hold of that which He promised to them
(Phillipians 3: 12-14). In the New Testament the apostle Paul speaks of
pressing on toward the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. So what exactly
is that upward call? It is the direction from God given to each child for
the duration of their short lives. To be made into the likeness of Jesus
Christ, to possess God’s word as yours, to regularly experience God
answering your prayers and to be able to lead others into God’s provision
and blessing. Our birthright as Christians is Jesus Himself, the Great
Redeemer, Savior, friend. So I say for that life abundant, press on, press
on (2nd Peter 1: 10-11).
STUDY NOTES: verses 1-33
Vs 1-7 Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him:
“You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be
possessed. This is the land that yet remains: all the territory of the
Phillistines and all that of the Geshurites,.......
vs.7 Now therefore, divide this land as an inheritance to the nine tribes
and half the tribe of Manasseh. The Lord first starts by reminding Joshua
of his age. The obvious suggestion by this statement is that his end draws
near and with further commands being given to him, he should be getting
started soon on this new agenda. God knows what men are made of and how
long their lives will last (1 Peter 1-24). He understands the need to
remind us of these things not just to make us feel old, but to prepare us
and those in our sphere of influence for the end of life as we know it.
This end is inevitable, it is quick in its coming.
Some men choose not to face it, to embrace it ( Hosea 7:9). When I think of
this, I think of all those Americans who in their retirement search for
fulfillment in RV’s and toys and such to bring a sense of joy and purpose
to the end of their days. Not that there is any thing wrong with leisurely
activities. Then I think on the ways in which God brings joy and
fulfillment by continuing to use a man in mighty ways and to draw him
evermore near.
Vs 8-13 With the other half-tribe the Reubenites and the Gadites received
their inheritance, which Moses had given them, beyond the Jordan eastward,
as Moses the servant of the Lord had given them: from Aroer....... vs. 13
Never the less the children of Israel did not drive out the Geshurites or
the Maachathites, but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the
Israelites until this day. In these verses are the records of Moses
assigning different lots to the different tribes. This was the land east of
the Jordan river that had originally been inhabited by king Sihon and king
Og. We can see an example in verse 13 of disobedience. They did not drive
out the Geshurites or the Maachathites. This would come back in later
generations to haunt them.
Vs 14 Only the tribe of Levi he had given no inheritance; the sacrifices of
the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said to
them. This tribe of Levi was the tribe of priests. They were the ones who
constantly went before the Lord for the other Israelites. They were the
ones that would take the offerings of the other tribes and take them into
the house of God. Moses had not given them a region of their own, a land of
possession. The Lord said that this tribe would receive the sacrifices
given to God as their inheritance. And so it is for us as Christians. We
have received the ultimate sacrifice as our inheritance, Jesus Christ died
for us and we get Him. I’ll take that over some hunk of dirt any day. 1
Peter 1: 3-4
Vs 15-23 And Moses had given to the tribe of the children of Reuben an
inheritance according to their families...... vs 23 And the border of the
children of Reuben was the bank of the Jordan. This was the inheritance of
the children of Reuben according to their families, the cities and their
villages. This was the land given to the tribe of Reuben. They were
obedient to God and killed the soothsayer Baalam. Romans 6:17
Vs 24-28 Moses also had given an inheritance to the tribe of Gad, to the
children of Gad according to their families.......vs. 28 This is the
inheritance of the children of Gad according to their families, the cities
and their villages. The children of Gad receive their
possession of land.
Vs 29-32 Moses also had given an inheritance to half the tribe of Manasseh;
it was for half the tribe of the children of Manasseh according to their
families.....vs. 32 These are the areas which Moses had distributed as an
inheritance in the plains of Moab on the other side of the Jordan, by
Jericho eastward. This half of the tribe of Manasseh had now also received
their portion. And so all those who had not been able to cross the Jordan
had been given their due.
Vs 33 But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God
of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them. Again we see the
mention of the tribe of Levi and how they would not receive the normal
share of land given to the rest. This was God’s simple and fitting plan for
the ministry of tabernacle service. God did assign them cities and adjacent
lands scattered at 48 different places throughout all the tribes. This made
these religious servants accessible to all the people.
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 Do you feel satisfied without your own allotment, your own
agenda, your own plan for your life? Honestly!
Q. 2 Is there any bitterness or resentment in your heart because
you feel that you have been short changed in life in one way or another?
Q. 3 When you look around yourself, do you see the lives of other
people as being better off than yours?
Q. 4 If you answer yes to any of these questions, can you take it
to your loving Father and leave it at His feet?
CONCLUSION:
The Lord has been so merciful to us, and sometimes we can loose sight
of that and take for granted the good things He has already given us. When
this begins to happen we should quickly repent and return to a proper place
of worship and praise. After all, that is the place where we were
originally meant to be. To know and glorify God with all that we have and
all that we are will always be the most fulfilling place for us to be. 1st
Peter 2:5 tells us that as Christians we are a holy priesthood. We are
priests!? If that is the case then there is more grace being dolled out to
us than I thought. That is something that should also change our whole
perspective. Whatever God’s will is for us we should be pursuing it if we
truly want to be fulfilled in this life. Everything else is just a vain
pursuit (Eccles. 12:13-14). So give thanks for the true inheritance that
has true meaning and value. Colossians 1:12—Ephesians 1:11