• Division of Canaan: Joshua 11-17

    The children of Israel entered the promised land and began conquering the people of the land, waging a “long time war” with all the kings. Eventually they conquered the “whole land,” and Joshua “gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes” (11:23). Then they had rest.

    All the tribes would receive portions of land. Ephraim and Manasseh were descended from Joseph, and represented his double portion. The Levites would not receive a large portion of land, but were given 48 cities instead, 6 of them designated as “cities of refuge.”

    Before crossing the Jordan, some of the land east of the Jordan was promised to those from the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh. The men from these tribes still had to cross the Jordan to help conquer the land, then they could return to their territories. The other nine tribes, and half tribe of Manasseh, were divided up throughout the land of Canaan west of the Jordan.

    “Thus the sons of Israel did just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they divided the land” (14:5). As long as they would continue to follow God, He would protect them and keep them in the land. But if they turned away from God, they would suffer the consequences of eventually being expelled from their land. Under Joshua’s capable leadership, they came into the land, conquered it, and remained faithful to God. This generation experienced the blessings that God had promised through Moses.

    Discussion
    1. Which tribes received an inheritence east of the Jordan? Why were they told to cross the Jordan and fight even though they already had their land?

    2. Why did the Levites not receive a portion of land like the rest of the tribes? What were they given instead?

    3. What were the cities of refuge? What was their purpose?

    4. Who were Ephraim and Manasseh?

    5. How would the conquering and division of the land play a role in the development of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind?