10250 North Freeway @ West Road
Houston, Texas 77037
Tel: (281) 447-8484

SURVEY OF BIBLE HISTORY
One God and One Israel
Joshua Lesson 16; Works well with Jensen’s Chapter 10

Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

Copyright - Lester Hutson - 1998
This material is copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of Dr. Lester Hutson.

Josh. 21 - 22

F. Following the selection of the cities of refuqe Joshua and the elders gave 48 cities to the Levites:

1. The Levites had received no major block or portion in the land as had the other 12 tribes. Josh. 13:14-15 says, "Only unto the tribe of Levi he qave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them. And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families."

2. Although, these Levites needed places to live and tend their cattle and flocks. So God instructed that they be given a total of 48 cities from among the 12 tribes. Num. 35:8 says tribes with many cities were to give more cities to the Levites and "them that have few ye shall give few." Although, every tribe was to give some. "Every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth."

3. The six cities of refuge were included in the 48 cities. Num. 35:6, specifically stated, And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites, there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities." Since Caleb had already been given Hebron, Josh. 21:12-13 explains, "But the fields Of the city and the villages thereof gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession. Thus they qave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city, of refuge for the slayer, and Libnah with her suburbs." Caleb and the Levites lived together in Hebron; there was ample room and cooperation.

4. In Numbers 35:1-8, God had instructed Moses about these cities for the Levites. Listen to verses 2-3,"Command the children of lsrael, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs. of them shall be for their cattle and for their qoods, and for all their beasts."

5. The cities to the Levites not only included the cities themselves; but also a margin of land no less than 1000 cubits (1500 ft.) outward from the city walls at any given place, Num.35:4 Num. 35:5 mentions a space of 2000 cubits outward from all sides. (based on an 18" cubit, 2000 cubits is 3000', or just overone half mile.) Notice that both measurements start at the walls and go outward. Matthew Henry thinks the first 1000 cubits wasfor buildings, etc., and that the 2nd 2000 started there and went outward for grazing purposes. Although that would create a distance of 3000 ft. outward, which is incongruent to the text. In their Commentary on the Old Testament, Keil & Delitzsch contend the vertical distance trom the city was 1000 cubits, and the horizontal distance at the outer perimeter was 2000 cubits plus the distance of the city. So, if a city was 1000 cubits square, the suburbs would be outward of the walls in all directions 1000 cubits, and 2000 cubits plus 1000 cubits (widthof city) for a total of 3000 cubits square on the suburb perimeter.

6. After the 12 tribes had all received their inheritance, the Levites came to Joshua at Shiloh, and said, "The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle", Josh.21:2-3 says, "and the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs."

7. The Levites were subdivided into 3 major families: the family of Kohath, the family of Gershon, and the family of Merari:

a. The Kohathites received first, Josh. 21:4-26 They received 13 cities out of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin; and 10 out of Ephraim, Dan, and the half tribe of Manasseh on the west banks. See vs 4-5.

b. The Gershonites received 13 cities out of Issachar, Naphthali, Asher, and the half tribe of Manasseh on the east banks. See Vs 6.

c. The Merarites received 12 cities out of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulon, See vs. 7. 8 & 127; The specific listing of the cities is found in Josh. 21:9-42. The listing is also found in I Chron. 6:54-81.

G. After giving the Levites their cities, Joshua sent the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh to their homes east of the Jordan. Josh. 22:1-34;

1. As they prepared to depart, Joshua:

a. Commended them for their obedience and faithfulness in staying right in the Israeli United Army until the victories were won, Josh. 22:1-4.

b. And, he also warned them to keep the Lord God number one in their lives, Josh. 22:5. Joshua apparently realized that it would be very easy for the 2˝ tribes to drift, in view of their remoteness from the other tribes.

2. As these 2 tribes returned to their inheritance with great possessions taken from the conquered Canaanites, Josh. 22:10 says, "when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the
land of Canaan, the Children of Reuben, and the children of God and the half tribe of Manasseh, built there an altar by Jordan a great altar to see to’. When the other 9˝ tribes heard about this altar, they thought the 2˝ tribes were attempting to break away from the central worship of God at the tabernacle at Shiloh by setting up their own type and place of worship· They knew that type of "every man doing his own thing; without central unity would ultimately destroy the nation. (Here is a foreshadow of the importance of central worship by the members of a church. There must be central leadership and unity with assembly at a central meeting place. If members begin to set up their own little places of worship at home or in little neighborhood or class gatherings, the church will soon be destroyed.

The response of the 9˝ tribes to this altar of the 2 1/2 tribes was a united military action against the 2˝ tribes designed to squelch the apparent division, Josh. 22:12. "The whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves toqether at Shiloh, to go up to war against them."

When the unified leaders came to the 2˝ tribes, they inquired as to why the 2˝ tribes were rebelling against the Lord by making this altar: and reminded them that all Israel was still suffering as a result of a similar action in which Balaam erected 7 altars. See Num, 23:28-30. The 9˝ tribes reasoned that if they allowed the 21/2 tribes to turn away from the Lord today, tomorrow the Lord would be wroth with the whole congregation, Josh. 22:18. As proof, they cited the sin of Achan, Josh. 22:20.

(Praise God for the fact that these Israeli were learning the lessons of God. Here's evidence of growth, a quality which should characterize every believer. Note, too, in this foreshadow the zeal that should characterize every Church in keeping it's ranks purged and clean. The apostle Peter said, "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God", I Pet. 4: 17.)

When the 2 1/2 tribes heard what the leaders of the 9˝ tribes were thinking, they humbly said if they were guilty of what the 9˝ tribes thought, they didn't expect to be spared, Josh. 22:22. But, they argued their intent was not rebellion; but loyalty. They said they had no intent of ever using the altar for sacrifice or offerings. They put it there as a testimonial to their allegiance to the one true God, and to the fact that they were as much a part of Israel as any other tribe on the west banks of Jordan. They said they feared that because of the natural boundary created by the Jordan river, later generations of the 9˝ tribes would try to exclude them from being a part of Israel. They said this altar was to remind the kids of the 2˝ tribes, as well as those of the 9˝ tribes, that there was but one God and one Israel. They made a classic statement in Josh, 22:29, "God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle."

(What sound advice and counsel for each of us. Today Eph. 3:21 declares, "Unto him be glory in the church throughout all ages, world without end, AMEN." That's where preaching is to be done. that's where the tithes and offerings are to be given. That's where men and women are to gather to sing and pray. That's where the Lord's Supper is to be eaten; and baptisms are to be performed. There is not a missionary or radio preacher alive who has a right to exist apart from the church. There never has been a valid baptism apart from the authority of the Lord's church. God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord, and turn this day from following the Lord by offering money, preaching, singing, or any other thing to the Lord apart from his church. As the tabernacle was then, the Lord's church today is his central place of worship.) When Phinehas the priest and the prince of Israel heard what the 21/2 tribes said, they were very pleased; and the confrontation resolved. They named the altar "ED" which means, "if you will cleave". In Josh. 22:34 they said, "for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God.

QUESTIONS ON ONE GOD & ONE ISRAEL

1. From Joshua 13:14-15, why did not the Levites receive an inheritance like the other tribes ?

2. How many cities did the Levites receive?

3. Where were the Levite cities located in relation to the 12 tribes?

4. How were the cities of Refuge related to the Levite cities?

5. Explain the suburbs to the Levite cities.

6. From Josh. 21:12-13, explain the arrangement between Caleb and the Levites at Hebron.

7. Who determined that the Levites were to receive these cities? See Num. 35:1-8.

8. Name the three major Levite families.

9. What is the basic content of Joshua 21:9-42 and 1Chron. 6:54-81?

10.Which tribes had received their inheritances on the east side of the Jordan River?

11.As these 2 ˝ tribes departed for home, what did Joshua commend them?

12. As these 2 ˝ tribes departed, about what did Joshua warn them?

13. Why did these 2 ˝ tribes return home with great wealth?

14.Explain the appearance of the great altar built by the 21/2 tribes near the Jordan.

15.What did the 9 ˝ tribes think when they heard of the altar?

16. What did the 9 ˝ tribes do in response to the altar?

17. Had the 9 ˝ tribes been correct in their assumptions, and what danger would thealtar have posed for Israel?

18. Explain how the concerns of the 9 ˝ tribes should be our concerns as believerstoday?

19. What was the stated purpose of the 2 ˝ tribes in building this altar?

20. Explain what the statement of Joshua 22:29 foreshadows in terms of church worship

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"