Study 25: Joshua 13: 6-33

In this sermon, the focus is on the allocation of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel as described in Joshua 13, and the significance of God's boundaries in the lives of His people. The message highlights the importance of obedience to God's will and the dangers of settling for perceived advantages outside of His promises. The sermon draws lessons from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who chose to remain on the eastern side of the Jordan River, missing out on the full blessings of the Promised Land. It also emphasizes the role of the Levites, whose inheritance was not land but the Lord Himself, illustrating a deeper spiritual truth about the inheritance that believers have in God through Jesus Christ.

Sermon Outline

Chapter 1: Introduction and Review

• Timestamp: 00:00 - 02:00

• Key Points:

  • Review of Joshua 13, focusing on God's declaration to Joshua about his old age and the remaining work.

  • The presence of peace despite opposition.

  • Introduction to the topic of inheriting property in the Promised Land.

Chapter 2: The Allocation of the Land

• Timestamp: 02:01 - 04:05

• Scripture Reference: Joshua 13:6-7

• Key Points:

  • God instructs Joshua to allocate the land to the nine and a half tribes.

  • Explanation of the twelve tribes of Israel and the split of Joseph's tribe into Ephraim and Manasseh.

Chapter 3: The Levites and Their Unique Inheritance

• Timestamp: 04:06 - 07:18

• Scripture Reference: Joshua 13:14

• Key Points:

  • The Levites do not receive land as their inheritance; instead, their inheritance is the Lord Himself.

  • Emphasis on the significance of this spiritual inheritance.

Chapter 4: Boundaries and Gratitude

• Timestamp: 07:19 - 10:14

• Key Points:

  • Gratitude for the boundaries God establishes in our lives.

  • Comparison of the boundaries in the Promised Land and the boundaries God sets for His people today.

Chapter 5: The Danger of Disobedience

• Timestamp: 10:15 - 13:42

• Key Points:

  • The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh choose to stay outside the Promised Land due to perceived advantages.

  • Disobedience to God leads to future heartache and consequences.

Chapter 6: The Consequences of Allowing Sin to Remain

• Timestamp: 13:43 - 17:55

• Scripture Reference: Joshua 13:13

• Key Points:

  • The Israelites failed to drive out certain people groups, leading to future conflicts (e.g., the story of Absalom).

  • Importance of addressing sin and issues in our lives rather than allowing them to remain.

Chapter 7: The Influence of Family and Legacy

• Timestamp: 17:56 - 21:37

• Key Points:

  • Discussion of Reuben's instability and how it influenced his descendants' decisions.

  • Reflection on the impact of family legacies and choices on future generations.

Chapter 8: The Role of the Levites

• Timestamp: 21:38 - 29:22

• Scripture Reference: Joshua 13:33

• Key Points:

  • The Levites' role as priests and their unique calling to serve the nation.

  • Their inheritance was the Lord, and their responsibility was to serve among the tribes.

Chapter 9: Spiritual Inheritance

• Timestamp: 29:23 - 41:47

• Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 1:3-4

• Key Points:

  • The concept of spiritual inheritance in the New Testament.

  • Believers are called to live as people of an eternal inheritance that will never perish.

Chapter 10: Conclusion and Communion

• Timestamp: 41:48 - 57:00

• Key Points:

  • Reflection on the importance of remembering God's faithfulness and not forgetting His provision.

  • The sermon concludes with a call to take communion, acknowledging Jesus as the source of our eternal inheritance.

Scripture References

• Joshua 13:6-7

  • Timestamp: 02:01 - 04:05

  • Context: God instructs Joshua to allocate the land to the nine and a half tribes of Israel. The sermon discusses the importance of following God's commands in dividing the land and highlights the unique situation of the Levites, who receive no land inheritance but the Lord Himself.

• Genesis 48:5-6

  • Timestamp: 04:47 - 06:35

  • Context: Reference to Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which explains the split of Joseph's tribe into two, adding an extra tribe to Israel. This is used to clarify the allocation of land among the tribes and to highlight God's providential care in expanding the inheritance.

• Numbers 32:1-5

  • Timestamp: 11:00 - 14:24

  • Context: The passage where the Reubenites and Gadites request to stay on the east side of the Jordan due to the suitability of the land for their livestock. The sermon uses this to illustrate the dangers of choosing perceived worldly advantages over God's promises and intentions.

• Joshua 13:13

  • Timestamp: 15:47 - 17:55

  • Context: Mention of the Israelites' failure to drive out the people of Geshur and Maacah, leading to future conflicts. The sermon reflects on the consequences of leaving sin unaddressed in our lives, paralleling the continued presence of these people groups with unrepentant sin.

• Ezekiel 47-48

  • Timestamp: 09:25 - 10:15

  • Context: Reference to Ezekiel's vision of the future boundaries of the tribes of Israel, which do not include the land east of the Jordan. This supports the idea that God's original plan was for the tribes to inherit the land within the Promised Land, not outside it.

• Genesis 34

  • Timestamp: 42:53 - 44:40

  • Context: The story of Dinah's rape and the violent response of her brothers, Simeon and Levi. This passage is used to illustrate the harsh beginning of the Levites, who later become the priests of Israel, showing God's grace in transforming their legacy.

• Joshua 22:4-6

  • Timestamp: 19:15 - 20:40

  • Context: Joshua's charge to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh to return to their homes on the east side of the Jordan while remaining faithful to God's commands. The sermon uses this to emphasize the importance of obedience even when physically separated from the main body of God's people.

• 1 Peter 1:3-4

  • Timestamp: 54:13 - 55:42

  • Context: Peter's praise of the living hope and inheritance believers have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This scripture is used in the sermon to draw a parallel between the inheritance of the Levites and the eternal inheritance promised to believers, stressing the significance of spiritual inheritance over material possessions.

• Numbers 1:35 & Numbers 26:34

  • Timestamp: 35:28 - 37:58

  • Context: References to the census counts of the tribe of Manasseh, showing their increase in fighting men from the beginning of the wilderness journey to the end. The sermon uses this to illustrate God's blessing even in difficult circumstances, but also to point out the divided hearts of the tribe as half chose to stay outside the Promised Land.

• Exodus 32

  • Timestamp: 45:03 - 47:05

  • Context: The incident of the golden calf and the Levites’ rallying to Moses when he called for those on the Lord’s side. This passage is used to demonstrate the turning point for the Levites, marking their dedication to God and their role as priests among the people of Israel.

Word Study

1. Nahala (נַחֲלָה)

• Meaning: Inheritance, Possession

• Scripture Reference: Joshua 13:6-7; 1 Peter 1:3-4

• Context in Sermon:

  • Timestamp: 02:01 - 04:05; 54:13 - 55:42

  • The term "Nahala" is central to the concept of inheritance in the Promised Land. It refers to the land allocated to the tribes of Israel as their possession, a tangible symbol of God’s promise. The sermon draws a parallel between this physical inheritance and the spiritual inheritance mentioned in 1 Peter, which is eternal and incorruptible, emphasizing the greater value of our spiritual inheritance in God.

2. Zakar (זָכַר)

• Meaning: To Remember, To Recall

• Scripture Reference: Genesis 48:5-6; Exodus 32

• Context in Sermon:

  • Timestamp: 04:47 - 06:35; 45:03 - 47:05

  • The concept of "Zakar" is important in both the story of Jacob's blessing over Joseph's sons and the incident with the golden calf. In Genesis 48, Jacob remembers God’s promises and blesses Ephraim and Manasseh, ensuring their place in Israel’s future. In Exodus 32, Moses calls the people to remember their allegiance to God, and the Levites respond by aligning with Moses. The sermon emphasizes the importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness and His commands, urging believers not to forget God’s provision and promises.

3. Qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ)

• Meaning: Holy, Set Apart

• Scripture Reference: Leviticus (related to the Levites); Exodus 32; 1 Peter 1:3-4

• Context in Sermon:

  • Timestamp: 21:38 - 29:22; 45:03 - 47:05; 54:13 - 55:42

  • The word "Qadosh" reflects the holiness and separation of the Levites, who were set apart for God’s service. In Exodus 32, the Levites demonstrate their dedication to being "qadosh" by standing with Moses against the sin of idolatry. The sermon connects this to the broader theme of believers being set apart as holy, both in their inheritance in God and in their daily lives, living out their identity as a holy people dedicated to God.