Introduction
Explain how the Lord is preparing his people for life in the land now that the land has been divided. Do a brief recap of Joshua 18–19 and 20 in order to prepare God’s people for Joshua 21.
Explain how Joshua 21 is a further example of God preparing his people for life in the land.
The scattering of the Levites
Explain why the Levites were meant to be scattered in Israel.
Explain how the Levites were graciously redeemed by God and given an important task.
Explain/apply how the redemption we have in Christ should motivate us to be salt and light just as the Levites were meant to be salt and light.
The provision for the Levites
Explain how the Levites were provided for.
Explain the connection between care for the Levites and provision for modern day ministers of the Word (pastors).
Explain/apply what standard of living pastors should expect and how we are to give from what we have been given (and not give in order to get more).
The parable of the Levites
Explain how the Levites were a parable pointing to the true inheritance of Israel—being the Lord—and what this means.
Explain how the land was not ultimate and how God's people can look forward to the new creation.
Explain how we are to see ourselves as pilgrims in this world.
Apply: encourage God’s people not to set their hopes on riches or comfort in this life thinking we are to have our best life now. Give specific examples of temptations in this regard in the circumstances of those to whom you will preach.
Apply: comment on how the hope of the gospel and the certainty of life in God’s presence ought to encourage bold obedience in the here and now—obedience even if it means death.
Conclusion
As we read about and see the example of the Levites teaching, let us be encouraged to be salt and light in this world, and to remember that we are pilgrims passing through and that this is not our true home. We cannot achieve all our hopes and dreams in the here and now. Let us be content with what we have and let us serve God in those places where he has put us. Let us learn from his Word and then put that same Word into practice knowing that even if we might face opposition in this life, one day he will bring me into a new world that will satisfy beyond anything I could ever hope or dream.
1 Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel.