Introduction

Explain how Joshua 13 begins the second half of the book and what will be found in this section.

Explain that the Spirit has given us these chapters for a reason and even if they might appear to be strange and distant for us, God wants to teach us through them.

The Lord gives land to his people

• Explain how an Israelite would have reacted to these lists

The Lord wants the next generation to be involved in warfare

• Explain why the land must be divided even though a lot of land remains to be conquered

• Explain how the Israelites were encouraged to fight as individual tribes (Sihon/Og)

Israel (God’s people) must live in the light of their inheritance

• Comment on the reality of Israel’s failure to drive out the Geshurites and the Maacathites

• Apply: do we trust God in times of crises but struggle to be faithful in the everyday tasks of life?

• Explain the link between verse 13 and 14, what the Levites were meant to teach the people of Israel

• Explain how the land was not the ultimate but meant to provide a place where God could dwell with his people

• Comment on the perennial problem of humanity, namely to want things from God without submitting to his commands

• Explain why the coming of Jesus Christ is such good news: he obeyed God perfectly

• Explain how the lists in Joshua confirm the reality of life in the new creation

• Apply: the reality of life in the new creation through faith in Christ should encourage us to live in the light of our inheritance

Conclusion

May the reality of our future inheritance help us to set our hope on the coming of God’s kingdom and not the things of this world. God is our portion. Let us live in obedience to him in grateful response to his gracious provision.