Day 44 Reading Schedule: Joshua 19-23

Joshua 19: The Distribution of the Inheritances of the Six Tribes 

[Summary]

This chapter deals with the distribution of inheritances among the six tribes, excluding the tribe of Benjamin. The tribe of Simeon received a portion of the inheritance of the vast tribe of Judah (vv. 1-9). The tribe of Zebulun received an inheritance between the tribes of Issachar and Asher in the northern region (vv. 10-16). The tribe of Issachar received an inheritance between the Jordan River and Zebulun (vv. 17-23). ​​Next, the tribe of Asher received the land between Zebulun and the Mediterranean Sea (vv. 24-31), and the tribe of Naphtali received the northernmost part of Canaan (vv. 32-39). The tribe of Dan was located between the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin from the Mediterranean Sea, and was given Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim specifically for Joshua. This concluded the distribution of all the lands of Israel (vv. 40-51).

Joshua, who had gathered the hearts of the scattered Israelites and urged their spiritual awakening by setting up the tabernacle in Shiloh, now divided the territories among the remaining six tribes.

Joshua 20: The Regulations on the Cities of Refuge 

[Summary]

The cities of refuge were established to protect accidental murderers from bloody retaliation and to prevent the community from being divided by a vicious cycle of revenge. Therefore, they are mentioned several times in the law. This chapter mentions the regulations on these cities of refuge and the specific locations of the cities of refuge. God commanded Joshua to establish cities of refuge for murderers and to punish intentional murderers with death, but to protect accidental murderers from retaliation (verses 1-6). The six cities of refuge that God specifically instructed were evenly distributed across the north, south, east, and west, three each in the Canaan region and east of the Jordan River (verses 7-9). This was a measure to ensure that the significance of the city of refuge system was properly implemented.

After the division of the territory among the 12 tribes of Israel, the city of refuge system, which represents a characteristic of Jehovah’s religion, was mentioned. Through this refuge system, we can once again see that God is not a God who treats sinners coldly and that God is the Savior of sinners.

Joshua 21: Cities of the Tribe of Levi 

[Summary]

This chapter records the incident of giving cities as an inheritance to the tribe of Levi, the only one of the twelve tribes of Israel that did not receive an inheritance. Joshua, at the request of the heads of the tribe of Levi, divided the cities and their fields from the inheritance of each tribe to the descendants of Kohath, Gershon, and Merari (verses 1-7). In this way, the descendants of Levi received 48 cities and fields throughout Israel (verses 8-42). This was not given as an inheritance for production like the other tribes, but as a space for residence and livestock. As a result, all the land promised by God was completely distributed to the people of Israel (verses 43-45).

Following the introduction of the city of refuge system as God’s merciful measure for those who unintentionally killed someone, this chapter introduces the inheritance of the tribe of Levi, who was entrusted with the mission of serving God on behalf of the people of Israel.

Joshua 22: The Return of Some of the Tribes 

[Summary]

This chapter records the crisis in the community caused by the return of the Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh, who had been at the forefront of the war to conquer Canaan, to their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River and the altar they had built there. After completing the conquest of Canaan and the distribution of the land, Joshua sent back the Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh, who had taken possession of their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River, and instructed them to obey the word of God and comforted them with much spoil (verses 1-9). However, the tribes on the west side of the Jordan misunderstood the altar they had built on the east side of the Jordan River as idolatry, and a crisis of conflict arose (verses 10-20). At this time, the tribes on the east side of the Jordan explained that the altar was an altar of testimony erected to teach future generations to worship God, and the misunderstanding was resolved (verses 21-29). As a result, all the tribes of Israel praised them and became more united (verses 30-34).

Following the distribution of the cities of refuge and the cities to be taken by the tribe of Levi, the soldiers of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, who had devoted all their efforts to the war of conquest of Canaan, returned to their residences.

Joshua 23: Joshua's Last Sermon 

[Summary]

Joshua, who followed Moses, the hero of the Exodus, in leading the Israelites to the land of Canaan and completing the war to conquer Canaan, was now facing death. This chapter records the will that Joshua left for the Israelites before his death. Now old and facing death, Joshua called the leaders of Israel together and gave them his final instructions. First, he recalled God who had fought for Israel and given them victory until then, and urged them to love and serve only God (verses 1-11). He also commanded them to never intermarry with the Canaanites and to have absolutely no relations with them (verses 12-13). Finally, like Moses' will, he emphasized once again the obedience to the law by mentioning God's wrath if Israel disobeyed (verses 14-16).

Joshua, who had lived a life full of ups and downs, including the Exodus, 40 years in the wilderness, and the war to conquer Canaan, finally delivers a message like a last will to the Israelites as the day of his death approaches. The theme of this will is that 'God has done it.'