The
Book of Joshua

Joshua
“Yehoshua” or “Yeshua” (meaning Yahveh savior or the Lord saves). The book of
Joshua was written around 1,400 – 1,370 B.C. and marks the fulfillment of the
Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. God fulfils His promises to Joshua, the
successor to Moses (one of the greatest prophets that ever lived), Deuteronomy
34, by leading them to the Promised Land. The structure of the book is straight
forward. It covers the crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, and the
conquest of the land, and the allocation of the lands. Joshua then renews the
Covenant between God and His people before his death, in which, like Moses, he
is called a “servant of the Lord.”
Joshua 1
Jos 1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass,
that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
The Lord speaks to Joshua (Moses assistant), to lead the people into the promise
land.
Jos 1:2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan,
thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to
the children of Israel.
The people were camped in the Plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from
Jericho. Joshua would be the Lord's new servant to lead the people.
Jos 1:3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I
given unto you, as I said unto Moses. Promised Joshua the
same as Moses.
Jos 1:4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the
river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the
going down of the sun, shall be your coast. From the
wilderness: That is, their utmost limits should be from the Desert of Arabia
Petrea on the south, to Lebanon on the north; and from the Euphrates on the
east, to the Great Sea, or the Mediterranean, on the west. The Israelites did
not possess the full extent of this grant till the time of David.
Jos 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of
thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua had some big sandals to fill taking the place of Moses. But, God was with
Him and told Joshua that He would never leave or abandon him. Christ would say
this same thing in (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).
Jos 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou
divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give
them.
We are to be strong and courageous also, because God is with us. Unto this
people: etc. or, thou shall cause this people to inherit the land. (Numbers
34:17-29).
Jos 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to
do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not
from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest. Obey Gods instructions and do
not deviate from them. Don't turn to the "right or left" and you will be
successful. Listen to God, not to politicians and their ways of the world.
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou
shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according
to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and
then thou shalt have good success.
Meditate on the Word and use wisdom in everything you do. Remember, "All wisdom
comes form God." (Proverbs 2:6, James 3:17).
Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not
afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.
Don't be afraid when you are teaching the
Word or working for the Lord. "God is with you."
Jos 1:10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Jos 1:11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you
victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to
possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
Time to get to work and claim what is yours.
Jos 1:12 And to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to half the tribe of
Manasseh, spake Joshua, saying,
These are the people already on the east side of the Jordan River. (They were
already on their own portion of the land).
Jos 1:13 Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
saying, The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land.
Remember that God had given you this land.
Jos 1:14 Your wives, your little ones, and your cattle, shall remain in the
land which Moses gave you on this side Jordan; but ye shall pass before your
brethren armed, all the mighty men of valour, and help them;
Your going across the Jordan to help your brothers.
Jos 1:15 Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given
you, and they also have possessed the land which the LORD your God giveth them:
then ye shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses
the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising.
When they possess the land the Lord has given them, then you can return and
settle on the east side of the Jordan, to the land Moses assigned you.
Jos 1:16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we
will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.
The people all agreed.
Jos 1:17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we
hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
We trust and will listen to you like we did Moses. Hmmm, did they always listen
to Moses?
Jos 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and
will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put
to death: only be strong and of a good courage.
Anyone who does not listen to the orders will be put to death. No messing around
here, you better be strong and courageous or it could cost you your life! This
applies to us today with God's blessings. "You better be on the receiving side
of God." You don't want to disobey Him, which could cost you your eternal life
in the end.
Joshua 2
Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy
secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into
an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. "Joshua,
one of the twelve spies himself at Kadesh Barnea." (Numbers 13:8, 16). He sends
out a couple of spies to check out the land on the other side of the Jordan
River. Harlot's house: Though the
word (zonah), generally denotes a prostitute, yet many very learned men are of
opinion that it should be here rendered an innkeeper or hostess, from (zoon), to
furnish or provide food.
Among the ancients, women generally kept houses of entertainment.
"Among the Egyptians, the women carry on all commercial concerns, and keep
taverns, while the men continue at home and weave." The same custom prevailed
among the Greeks.
By the way... Who
called Rahab a harlot. God or the people? It was the people. (She made some of
the finest linen around and they were jealous of her). Rumors get started just
like today. (Rahab would marry a guy named Salmon, and have a descendant named
Boaz, who married Ruth, and had a grandson named David who would lead to
Christ). Even if she was a harlot, who cares, we are all sinners and can be
forgiven by God. (God uses whoever He wills).
Jos 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men
in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.
We got spies in the house.
Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men
that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to
search out all the country. Tells Rahab, if you have the
two men from Israel hidden there, bring them out.
Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There
came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
They were here but now they are gone, I didn't know who they were. (She hid
the spies).
Jos 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate,
when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue
after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
She led the kings men
off to chase them, but they were still right there.
Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them
with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.
All things done in order. (She was a business woman).
Jos 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and
as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.
Jos 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;
Jos 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the
land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of
the land faint because of you. God let her know this.
Jos 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for
you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the
Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye
utterly destroyed.
God was speaking to
her and the people. (Deuteronomy 2:5), they knew that God was controlling and
protecting these people.
Jos 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did
melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for
the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
Rahab knew who God was and the power He had given to His
people.
Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have
shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and
give me a true token: She wanted her family protected as
well as herself.
Jos 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my
brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from
death. My father: It is observable that in this
enumeration of her kindred, there is no mention made of a husband. It is most
likely that she was a single woman or widow, who obtained an honest livelihood
by keeping a house for the entertainment of strangers; and not a woman of ill
fame, as some have supposed. The spies sent on this occasion were certainly some
of the most confidential persons that Joshua had in his host, and their errand
was of the greatest importance; is it then not most likely that they lodged at
an inn? (Joshua 2:13).
Jos 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this
our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we
will deal kindly and truly with thee. She made a deal with
them to protect her and her family.
Jos 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house
was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
Gave them safe passage.
Jos 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers
meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned:
and afterward may ye go your way. She knew the routine of
the men searching for them and led them on the right path.
Jos 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine
oath which thou hast made us swear. We will be bound by an
oath, but you must follow these instructions.
Jos 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line
of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt
bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's
household, home unto thee.
Jos 2:19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of
thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we
will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood
shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
Jos 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine
oath which thou hast made us to swear.
With the red thread in the window, we
will pass over you and protect you. (Resembles the Passover).
But, if we are betrayed, we are not bound by this oath.
Jos 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she
sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.
Rahab accepted the terms and sent them on their way.
Jos 2:22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three
days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them
throughout all the way, but found them not.
Safe
and sound just as predicted.
Jos 2:23 So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed
over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that
befell them:
Told Joshua about everything that had happened.
Jos 2:24 And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our
hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because
of us.
Afraid of us or God? (It was God that put the fear in the enemy,
not the people). Always count on God and you will be fine. Don’t ever be afraid
of anything when you have God on your side.
Joshua 3
Jos 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim,
and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before
they passed over. Getting the troops ready. Jordan: Called
by the Arabs El Sharia, takes its rise in Anti-Libanus, about twelve miles north
of Cesarea Philippi, now Banias; and, having run about twelve miles southward,
it receives a considerable stream, which is now called the Moiet Hasbeia. About
15 miles farther, it forms the waters of Merom or Semechon, now Houle; and,
after running about 28 miles more, it passes through the lake of Gennesareth,
and thence runs southward till it loses itself in the Dead Sea; its whole course
being about 160 miles.
Jos 3:2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through
the host;
Jos 3:3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the
covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye
shall remove from your place, and go after it. Sending the
"Ark of the Covenant" and the priests carrying the Ark ahead of the troops.
Jos 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand
cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye
must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
Keep your distance. (about a half mile between them and the Ark).
Jos 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow
the LORD will do wonders among you.
Jos 3:6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the
covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the
covenant, and went before the people. So far they are
listening to Joshua.
What was in the ark? (The ten commandments, the rod, and on top
the mercy seat).
Jos 3:7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee
in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so
I will be with thee.
God was with Moses and
now would be with Joshua.
Jos 3:8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant,
saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand
still in Jordan. Few steps into the Jordan River and stop
there.
Jos 3:9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear
the words of the LORD your God. Listen to God!
Jos 3:10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is
among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the
Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
Now you are going to see the power of God before you. "God
is in control."
(We have power over all our enemies in His name).
Jos 3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth
over before you into Jordan. The Ark of the Covenant will
lead the way across for you.
Jos 3:12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out
of every tribe a man. One man from each of the twelve
tribes.
Jos 3:13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the
priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in
the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from
the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
The Lord will build a wall (a dam), to block the water for them to get across.
(Psalm 33:7, 78:13).
Jos 3:14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to
pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the
people; All in order as instructed.
Jos 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of
the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan
overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,). Time
of the season for the river to flood.
Jos 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up
upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and
those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea,
failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against
Jericho. The salt sea: (Joshua 15:2, Genesis 14:3, Numbers
34:3, Deuteronomy 3:17). The passage through the Red Sea took place in the
night, when the Israelites were fleeing from the Egyptians with great
trepidation, but they passed Jordan in the day-time, with previous warning,
leisurely, directly opposite to Jericho, and with a triumphant defiance of the
Canaanites; this passage into the promised land evidently typifying the
believer's passage through death to heaven.
Jos 3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood
firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on
dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.
Held their ground right in the middle of the Jordan, till all the people crossed
on dry ground. The ordinary current of the Jordan, near where the Israelites
crossed, is said to be about twenty yards across, deeper than a man's height,
and so rapid, that there is no swimming against it. It has, however, two banks;
the first, or inner one, is that of the river in its natural state, and the
second, or outer one, about a furlong distant, is that of its overflowing, which
it does when the summer's sun has melted the snow on mount Lebanon and Hermon,
in the months of March and April. And this was the time which God chose that the
Israelites should pass over it; that a miraculous interposition might be
necessary; and that, by the miracle, they might be convinced of his omnipotence.
Joshua 4
Jos 4:1 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over
Jordan, that the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying, Always
listen when the Lord speaks.
Jos 4:2 Take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man,
Representing each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Jos 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of
Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and
ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye
shall lodge this night. Were talking about a "rock" here,
not a pebble. (Remember it is the "Rock" (Christ), that the church is built
upon, not a "pebble" (Peter), like many try to make you believe.
And
I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18).
You are
Peter, a stone; and upon this "Rock" (Rock meaning "Petra" mass rock), unmovable
rock, I will build my church; and all the powers of hell will not prevail
against it. This is a very controversial scripture between scholars. It is not
Peter that Christ would build the church on, "Christ is that rock." (Peter and
the other apostles would
go on to establish the church in Acts 1 and 2). However, Jesus Christ is the unmovable
rock that you want to build upon.
Jos 4:4 Then Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the
children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:
Jos 4:5 And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your
God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his
shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:
You don't carry a pebble on your back.
This is a large stone with some weight.
Jos 4:6 That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask
their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these
stones? In
Ezekiel 26 we will discover another rock [Tyrus] which is a city on the coast of
Lebanon. Satan is also used in the Scriptures as a rock, only he is the "false
rock". The city of Tyrus then is used as Satan's stronghold. This is a type of
what will befall the world in the end times, in a prophetic sense.
Make sure Christ is
your rock and not Satan. (Always follow the rock of God).
Jos 4:7 Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off
before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the
waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the
children of Israel for ever.
Jos 4:8 And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up
twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spake unto Joshua,
according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried
them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.
There you have
the rock on solid ground. (Remember upon this rock I will build this church).
"Christ is our rock."
Jos 4:9 And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place
where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they
are there unto this day. And they are there: These words
might be written by Joshua at the close of his life, or perhaps be added by some
later prophet. It seems from this verse, that there were two sorts of stones
erected as a memorial of this great event. Twelve at Gilgal (Joshua 4:20), and
twelve in the bed of the Jordan; which last might have been placed on a base of
strong stone work, so high as always to be visible, and serve to mark the very
spot where the priests stood with the ark.
Jos 4:10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan,
until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the
people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and
passed over.
Jos 4:11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over,
that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the
people. Carried
across just as God said it would.
Jos 4:12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the
tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses
spake unto them:
Jos 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD
unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. Armed and ready for
battle. (40 means probation).
Jos 4:14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel;
and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.
Now the people revered Joshua just as they did Moses because they both obeyed
God.
Jos 4:15 And the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
Speaking directly to Joshua again.
Jos 4:16 Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they
come up out of Jordan.
Jos 4:17 Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of
Jordan.
Jos 4:18 And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the
covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the
soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of
Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did
before. That the waters: As soon as the priests and the
ark were come up out of Jordan, the waters of the river, which had stood on a
heap, flowed down according to their natural and usual course, and again soon
filled the channel. This make it abundantly evident, that the miraculous change
which had been given to the river was not from any secret natural cause, but
solely by the power of God, and for the sake of his chosen people; for when
Israel's host had passed through, and the token of his presence was removed,
immediately the waters went forward again, so that if it be asked, "What aileth
thee, O Jordan, that thou was driven back?" it must be answered, it was in
obedience to the God of Israel, and in kindness to the Israel of God. (Exodus
14:26-28).
Jos 4:19 And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the
first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.
Still on the east side
of the river. (The tenth day of the first month), 40 years to the day, (Exodus
12:3), the passing over of the death angel. (Again, 40 is probation). The 40 years is
over now. Gilgal: That is,
the place afterwards called Gilgal; for it is so called here by anticipation. It
was about ten furlongs east from Jericho, and fifty west from the Jordan.
Jos 4:20 And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua
pitch in Gilgal.
Jos 4:21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children
shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?
Jos 4:22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this
Jordan on dry land.
Jos 4:23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you,
until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he
dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Jos 4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD,
that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
Fear translated here is "revere" and revere means to honor, admire, and love
God.
Joshua 5
Jos 5:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which
were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites,
which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of
Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their
heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children
of Israel. Now all who lived along the sea across the
Jordan heard what the Lord had done and were in fear. Israel could have attacked
right away, but God had other plans for Israel that were spiritual.
Jos 5:2 At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives, and
circumcise again the children of Israel the second time.
Circumcise for spiritual reasons. "Today we do it for circumcision of the
heart." (Colossians 2:11).
Jos 5:3 And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of
Israel at the hill of the foreskins.
Jos 5:4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the
people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men
of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.
God's plan.
Jos 5:5 Now all the people that came out were circumcised: but all the people
that were born in the wilderness by the way as they came forth out of
Egypt, them they had not circumcised. None of it
done in the wilderness.
Jos 5:6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till
all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were
consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD
sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their
fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Thirty eight years earlier they could have entered the promise
land, but the people disobeyed God. All those who were circumcised then would
all die in the wilderness. Again, God's plan for a new generation that would be
believers.
Jos 5:7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them
Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not
circumcised them by the way.
Jos 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people,
that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
Don't want to fighting any wars with your legs crossed.
Jos 5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the
reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal
unto this day.
Gilgal means a rolling away. (All their sins and shame were rolled away).
Jos 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover
on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
They celebrated the Passover.
Jos 5:11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the
passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.
Old corn: The people would find abundance of old corn in the
deserted granaries of the affrighted inhabitants, and the barley harvest being
ripe, after offering the sheaf of first-fruits, they ate also new parched corn;
and thus the manna being no longer necessary, ceased, after having been sent
them regularly for almost forty years. To Christians the manna for their souls
shall never fail, till they arrive at the Canaan above, to feast on its rich and
inexhaustible provisions.
Jos 5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old
corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they
did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year. No
more manna, now they fed themselves from the crops of Canaan. Kind of like us
being fed milk as new Christians, and after we mature, we need meat in the word.
(Hebrews 5:12-14).
Jos 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up
his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his
sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art
thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Joshua encounters a
man with a sword standing in front of him. Who are you he asked? Friend or foe?
Jos 5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I
now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said
unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
I am the
commander of the Lord's army. (This is an angel of the Lord). Was this "Jesus
Christ" in His "preincarnate" state?
Jos 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe
from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And
Joshua did so. And Joshua: Many persons have been puzzled
to know what was intended by this extraordinary appearance of the angel to
Joshua, because they supposed that the whole business ends with the chapter;
whereas it is continued in the succeeding one, the first verse of which is a
mere parenthesis, simply relating to the state of Jericho at the time when
Joshua was favored with this encouraging vision; by which he was shown that
their help came from God alone, and that it was not by human might or power, but
by the Lord of hosts they were to obtain the victory. (Make sure God is your
commander and you are on His side).
Joshua 6
Jos 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel:
none went out, and none came in. Jericho (meaning
fragrant), a fortress city is in lock down. (Considered to be one of the oldest
cities in the world).
Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand
Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
God is going to give Jericho to them.
Jos 6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and
go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
(Remember at the sixth trump Satan appears in the end times).
Jos 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams'
horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the
priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Trumpets of rams': The words shopheroth hyyovelim, should rather be
rendered jubilee, trumpets, i.e., such as were used on the jubilee, which were
probably made of horn or silver. For the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan
was indeed a jubilee to them (Leviticus 25:11). Instead of the dreadful trumpet
of war, they were ordered to sound the trumpet of joy, as already conquerors.
(Leviticus 25:9). Now we have the seventh day trump. (Remember at the seventh
trump Christ appears in the end times).
Jos 6:5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast
with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the
people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down
flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. And the wall: The words wenaphelah
chomath hair tachteyha, are literally, "and the wall of the city shall fall down
under itself;" which appears simply to mean, that the wall shall fall down from
its very foundation; which was probably the case in every part, though large
breaches in different places might have been amply sufficient first to admit the
armed men, after whom the host might enter to destroy the city. There is no
ground for the supposition that the walls sunk into the earth. (Isaiah 25:12, 2
Corinthians 10:4-5, Hebrews 11:30).
Jos 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them,
Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of
rams' horns before the ark of the LORD. Just as God
instructed.
Jos 6:7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let
him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD. The
people and the armed men ready for action. (Over 40,000 of them).
Jos 6:8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the
seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the
LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD
followed them. The trumpets first followed by the Ark (the
very presence of God), to follow.
Jos 6:9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the
trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and
blowing with the trumpets. Again, just as God commanded
them to do.
Jos 6:10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor
make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of
your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
Told to keep their mouths shut until told to speak. Kind of like in the end time
when the elect will be delivered up before Anti-Christ. (You do not speak till
the Holy Spirit speaks through you).
Jos 6:11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it
once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Jos 6:12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the
ark of the LORD.
Jos 6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the
ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed
men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the
priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
Jos 6:14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into
the camp: so they did six days. Followed the pattern for
six days.
Jos 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about
the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven
times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
The seventh trump day. (Spiritual completeness).
Jos 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with
the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you
the city. Now it is time to speak and shout. Just as the
Holy Spirit will speak through you in the end times. (Luke 21:12-15).
Jos 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are
therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are
with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
Rahab and her family would be spared because she hid the spies.
Jos 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing,
lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and
make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
We are talking about false religion and those who follow the ways of the world
and Satan. (Leave God out of the equation and you have trouble coming).
Jos 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are
consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
Restock the treasure of the Lord.
Jos 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the
trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet,
and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that
the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took
the city. The walls were down and they took the city
because they had the faith and God allowed them. (Hebrews 11:30).
Jos 6:21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man
and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the
sword. Everything utterly destroyed. And they: The
Canaanites were ripe for destruction; and God was pleased, instead of destroying
them by a pestilence, a famine, or an earthquake, to employ the Israelites as
the executioners of his vengeance. Had an angel been commissioned to slay them,
who would have charged him with iniquity or cruelty? In all public calamities
infants are involved; and tens of thousands of infants die in great agony every
year. Now, either God is not the agent in these calamities (which opinion,
though often implied in men's reasoning on these subjects, is not far from
atheism); or they must consist with the most perfect justice and goodness.
Jos 6:22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country,
Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she
hath, as ye sware unto her. Keep your promise to Rahab and
her family.
Jos 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab,
and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they
brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.
They kept their word and rescued her and the family bringing them to safety.
Jos 6:24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein:
only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put
into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
Everything
destroyed but the gold, silver, and bronze. (This went to the Lord's treasury).
Jos 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household,
and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day;
because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Rahab (prostitute or not), was a true servant of the Lord. (James
2:25, Hebrews 11:31). Who ever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
(Acts 2:21).
Jos 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be
the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall
lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son
shall he set up the gates of it.
Jos 6:27 So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised
throughout all the country. Joshua was loved by the people
just like Moses. (The hand of God was upon him).
Joshua 7
Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed
thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the
tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was
kindled against the children of Israel.
Now here comes
Achan (meaning trouble), to mess everything up again. He was a thief, and had
stolen some of the dedicated things of the Lord. (Joshua 7:20-21).
Jos 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside
Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and
view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. The
spies of Israel going out again to check out the town of Ai.
Jos 7:3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the
people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and
make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.
They checked it out, but they didn't consult with God about it. (Their starting
to make decisions on their own).
Jos 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and
they fled before the men of Ai. Went up to win the battle,
but came out running. (Never underestimate the enemy, never underestimate your
opponent).
Jos 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they
chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote
them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as
water. The men of Ai chased them back like a bunch of
little puppy dogs. (Israel wimped out and became paralyzed with fear). Why? They
left God out of the equation, and without God, fear can creep into a man or
woman. (Nothing to fear when God is on your side).
Jos 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face
before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and
put dust upon their heads. Put dust: Rending the clothes,
beating the breast, tearing the hair, throwing dust upon the head, and falling
prostrate, were usual signs of deep affliction and distress among the ancient
Israelites. (1 Samuel 4:12, 2 Samuel 13:19, Nehemiah 9:1).
Jos 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought
this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy
us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
Wish we had stayed on the other side rather than have the Amorites kill us.
(Joshua losing a little faith here).
Jos 7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before
their enemies! What now?
Jos 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear
of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and
what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
Might need to learn
the hard way.
Jos 7:10 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou
thus upon thy face? Get up and stand
like a man. (Better yet, like a warrior).
Jos 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant
which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have
also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their
own stuff. They took of the accursed
thing and made it their own. (Kind of like those who take false teachings and
traditions of men and add it among their beliefs). God does not like it when you
partake in false teachings.
Jos 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their
enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they
were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the
accursed from among you. God is not going to tolerate this
type of action. One mans way can destroy an entire nation here. (Isaiah 59:1-2).
"Watch who you hang with, or what you partake in."
Jos 7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to
morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing
in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until
ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Clean your act up and get it right, or you will never receive God's blessings.
(Do things God's way, not man's way).
Jos 7:14 In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your
tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come
according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall
take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall
come man by man. Someone needs to fess up here to make
things right with God.
Jos 7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed
thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath
transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in
Israel. The wicked will be destroyed here. (God's not
messing around).
Jos 7:16 So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their
tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken: Were going to
weed them out one by one and find the one responsible.
Jos 7:17 And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the
Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was
taken:
Jos 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of
Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Now we get down to Achan. (Mr. trouble).
Jos 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the
LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast
done; hide it not from me. Fess up and tell the
truth.
Jos 7:20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against
the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: I
did it... He confessed.
Jos 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two
hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I
coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in
the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Lets see
what he took and what they represent. A Babylonian robe (false religion and
worldliness). Silver and gold (money can be the root of all evil). Paul would
warn Timothy about this. (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Jos 7:22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold,
it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
Found what they were looking for.
Jos 7:23 And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them
unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the
LORD.
Jos 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah,
and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his
daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all
that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Not only Achan was involved, but his sons and daughters also.
Jos 7:25 And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble
thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire,
after they had stoned them with stones. All who were
involved were stoned to death.
Jos 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So
the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that
place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.
Called the valley of Achan till this day. (The valley of trouble). When you say
your a Christian, don't think you can do things without God.
Joshua 8
Jos 8:1 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed:
take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given
into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
There is going to be a little strategy and covert activity by
God. Take all: It would seem, from this verse, that all that were capable of
bearing arms were to march out of the camp on this occasion: 30,000 formed an
ambuscade in one place; and 5,000 were placed in another, who all gained their
positions in the night. With the rest of the army, Joshua appeared the next
morning before Ai, which the men of that city would naturally suppose was the
whole of the Israelite force and, consequently, be the more emboldened to come
out and attack them. Some, however, think that 30,000 men were the whole that
were employed on this occasion, 5,000 of whom were placed in ambush on the west
of the city, between Bethel and Ai (Joshua 8:12), and, with the rest, Joshua
appeared before the city in the morning. The king, seeing but about 25,000
coming against him, though he had but 12,000 persons in the whole city (Joshua
8:25), determined to risk a battle, issued out, and was defeated by stratagem.
Jos 8:2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and
her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a
prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
Everything will be yours. Now here comes some covert activity. (They are going
to set an ambush behind the town).
Jos 8:3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and
Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by
night. Joshua's men getting ready for the signal to
attack.
Jos 8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against
the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye
all ready: The group that will attack from behind.
Jos 8:5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto
the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the
first, that we will flee before them,
Run from them to
draw them out.
Jos 8:6 (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the
city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will
flee before them.
Jos 8:7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for
the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand. When the
men of Ai go after Joshua's group of men, the ambush will take the town from he
rear. (Devine intervention by God).
Jos 8:8 And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall
set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See,
I have commanded you. Take the goods but destroy the town.
Jos 8:9 Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and
abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that
night among the people. Bethel (house of God).
Jos 8:10 And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people,
and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
Time for Joshua to take command.
Jos 8:11 And all the people, even the people of war that were
with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the
north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
Jos 8:12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush
between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They
have the city surrounded.
Jos 8:13 And when they had set the people, even all the host that
was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the
city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
Army on the north and the ambush men on the west.
Jos 8:14 And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they
hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to
battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he
wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.
The king of Ai thought he could take the Israelites, but
didn't count on the ambush set by the real commander. (God)! You always want God
on your side in any confrontation.
Jos 8:15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them,
and fled by the way of the wilderness.
Joshua sucks the
enemy right in.
Jos 8:16 And all the people that were in Ai were called together to
pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the
city. The enemy was lured away and the town left right
open.
Jos 8:17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out
after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
Wide open for taking.
Jos 8:18 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is
in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched
out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.
Joshua is going to obey God and let Him take care of all the
timing.
Jos 8:19 And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as
soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took
it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
The signal was
given and they touched the town to the ground.
Jos 8:20 And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold,
the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this
way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the
pursuers. Now the main troops of Joshua turned to fight
and the men of Ai were trapped.
Jos 8:21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the
city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew
the men of Ai. The battle was on.
Jos 8:22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in
the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote
them, so that they let none of them remain or escape. The
men of Ai were attacked from both sides and not a single one survived or
escaped.
Jos 8:23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
Only the king of Ai survived.
Jos 8:24 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the
inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and
when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed,
that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the
sword. All were killed and the town was taken just as God
planned.
Jos 8:25 And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of
men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
Twelve thousand people of Ai died. Keep in mind who these
people were. They were a violent, wicked, perverse society just like Sodom and
Gomorrah.
Jos 8:26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the
spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
Joshua seems to have been not only the general but the standard-bearer of the
army (Joshua 8:18), and continued in this employment, by holding up or extending
his spear, during the whole of the battle; and did not slacken from the pursuit
till the forces of Ai were utterly discomfited. Some commentators, however,
understand this action in a figurative sense, like the holding up of Moses'
hands, as if it implied that Joshua continued in prayer for the success of his
troops, nor ceased till the armies of Ai were annihilated, and the city taken
and destroyed.
Jos 8:27 Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey
unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
Jos 8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a
desolation unto this day. Till this day it is called Tel.
(The heap).
Jos 8:29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon
as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down
from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise
thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
The king: The kings of Canaan lay under the same curse as their
subjects and probably were more deeply criminal. The reserving of the king of Ai
for a solemn execution, would tend to strike terror into the other kings,
contribute to the success of Israel, and give their proceedings the stamp of a
judicial process, and of executing the vengeance of God upon his enemies.
Jos 8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
Ebal (stone mountain). Moses himself had twice given
express orders for this solemnity; once (Deuteronomy 11:29-30), in which he
pointed out the very place where it was to be performed; and again, at the
(Deuteronomy 27:1), there is a renewal of the instructions to Joshua, with
special reference to minute particulars. It was a federal transaction. The
covenant was now renewed between God and Israel upon their taking possession of
the land of promise, that they might be encouraged in the conquest of it, and
might know upon what terms they held it, and come under fresh obligations to
obedience. (Joshua 8:33).
Jos 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel,
as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over
which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt
offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
Jos 8:32 And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which
he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.
Copied
the laws of Moses.
Jos 8:33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges,
stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites,
which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that
was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them
over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before,
that they should bless the people of Israel.
Jos 8:34 And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and
cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law.
"God's laws are set in stone."
Jos 8:35 There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read
not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones,
and the strangers that were conversant among them.
The
people were following the instructions Moses gave for this time. (Deuteronomy
4:2, 11:29).
Joshua 9
Jos 9:1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this
side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the
great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the
Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;
The news spread like wildfire about Israel crossing the Jordan and their
conquest of Jericho and Ai. Now the kings west of the Jordan become nervous over
the threat of an Israeli invasion.
Jos 9:2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with
Israel, with one accord. Joining together to fight against
Joshua and the Israelites.
Jos 9:3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto
Jericho and to Ai,
Jos 9:4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and
rent, and bound up; Resorted to deception to save
themselves.
Jos 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon
them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.
They wanted to make it look like they were on the road for a long
time and were wore down.
Jos 9:6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him,
and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a
league with us. They were from just around the bend nearby
and were lying.
Jos 9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell
among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
Jos 9:8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua
said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?
Joshua wanted to know where they really came from.
Jos 9:9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come
because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and
all that he did in Egypt,
That is a lie... (Deuteronomy 2:25),
God began to put the fear in these people so he could give this land to Israel.
Jos 9:10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were
beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was
at Ashtaroth. Notice that they don't mention what happened
at Jericho and Ai. (They still want Joshua to think they came from a distant
land).
Jos 9:11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to
us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say
unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us.
A treaty or contract that Joshua would regret.
Jos 9:12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our
houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and
it is mouldy: Another lie... (They started out with old
bread).
Jos 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and,
behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by
reason of the very long journey. Lying and putting on a
show about everything. Sound familiar? Do not be deceived.
Jos 9:14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at
the mouth of the LORD. Big mistake not consulting with
God. (Man will lie to you).
Jos 9:15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let
them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.
Made a peace treaty with them for their safety and now it was set
in stone.
Jos 9:16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a
league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and
that they dwelt among them. Now they find out the
truth, when it's to late. (Proverbs 12:19).
Jos 9:17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on
the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth,
and Kirjathjearim.
Jos 9:18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of
the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the
congregation murmured against the princes. Made a deal
with them and swore by the name of the Lord without consulting God. (The people
of Israel were not to happy with the deal).
Jos 9:19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn
unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.
The leaders kept their promise and did not attack Gibeon.
Jos 9:20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be
upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.
God
expects us to keep our promises even if you didn't consult with Him first. We
will see that a few hundred years later, Saul would attack the Gibeonites, but
they cried out to God, and the result was God had brought a famine on the land
until David came along, pleasing the Gibeonites by putting to death some of
Saul's sons as retribution and resolved the issue. (2 Samuel 21:1).
Jos 9:21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be
hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes
had promised them.
The book of (Ezra 8:15), all Nethinim
(meaning given to service, the temple servants). They took over the priesthood.
(Even to this day we have these same false priest instead of the true levitical
priests). Be on guard on who you are studying with.
Jos 9:22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying,
Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye
dwell among us? What were you thinking Joshua? "Pretty
dumb not to consult with God."
Jos 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be
freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house
of my God.
Jos 9:24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told
thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you
all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you,
therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this
thing. We were afraid that you would
wipe us out as a people, that is why we lied. They would have been wiped out by
Israel, but they were spared. "It will be bad for Israel later." (Israel's fault for leaving God
out).
Jos 9:25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and
right unto thee to do unto us, do. Israel kept their word
and spared them.
Jos 9:26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the
children of Israel, that they slew them not.
"Big mistake."
We are paying for it today.
Jos 9:27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water
for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the
place which he should choose.
To this very day that God would
choose. Israel messed up, just like when the kenites slipped in to keep the
books for Israel. (1 Chronicles 2:55).
Joshua 10
Jos 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how
Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and
her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon
had made peace with Israel, and were among them; Remember
that Gideon is only 40 furlongs (five miles) north of Jerusalem). They out foxed
Israel and made peace with them. (The Gibeonites slipped in among them).
Jos 10:2 That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as
one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the
men thereof were mighty. Afraid that if Gibeon has
allied with Israel, they would be in big trouble. (Gibeon was a large town and
the men were strong warriors).
Jos 10:3 Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of
Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and
unto Debir king of Eglon, saying.
Hebron: Hebron was situated on an eminence, 20 miles south of Jerusalem, and the
same distance north of Beersheba. It is now called El Khalil, "the
well-beloved," the usual epithet which the Turks and Arabs apply to Abraham,
whose sepulchral cave they still shew; over which St. Helena built a magnificent
church Its original site was on an eminence, at the southern foot of which the
present village is pleasantly situated, on which are the remains of an ancient
castle, its sole defense.
Jos 10:4 Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath
made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
Jos 10:5 Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the
king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon,
gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and
encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. Moved in
and attacked Gibeon. (May be a little trouble for Joshua, now he will be facing
five kings).
Jos 10:6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal,
saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save
us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains
are gathered together against us. Calling for help.
Jos 10:7 So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with
him, and all the mighty men of valour.
Jos 10:8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered
them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.
Not to worry God says to Joshua, I am with you and you will get the victory.
(Never worry about the odds when God is on your side).
Jos 10:9 Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from
Gilgal all night.
Not an easy task, but they are going to catch them by surprise.
Jos 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a
great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to
Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
God threw them into a panic, and the Israelites kicked their butts. (Divine
intervention, God did it).
Jos 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and
were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from
heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died
with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the
sword.
Again, divine intervention from God. (More killed by the hail storm than by the
sword).
Jos 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up
the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,
Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.
Sun: Joshua doubtless acted, on this occasion, by an immediate impulse upon his
mind from the Spirit of God. The terms here employed to record the miracle,
agree with the accustomed manner in which the the motions of the earth and sun
are described in our own day. The sun apparently moves, but really is
stationary; while the diurnal movement of the earth on its axis is by us
unnoticed, and would not have been known except by astronomical science. The sun
appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Ajalon,
and there they stayed in their course for "a whole day." Many vain enquiries
have been made concerning the way in which this miracle was wrought, and many
difficulties and objections have been urged against understanding it literally.
But the fact is authenticated by the Divine testimony; and the manner in which
it was accomplished lies entirely out of our province, because beyond our
comprehension.
Jos 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had
avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of
Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down
about a whole day.
God arranged the victory. The book of
Jasher (meaning the upright one), could this be Moses, the law giver?
Jos 10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD
hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
Nothing that God can't do. (Deuteronomy 1:30).
Jos 10:15 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to
Gilgal.
Jos 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
Makkedah is up in the mountains.
Jos 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a
cave at Makkedah.
This information brought to Joshua, is an evidence that there were those of the
country, who knew the holes and fastnesses of it, that were in his interests.
And the care Joshua took to secure them there, as it is an instance of his
policy and presence of mind, even in the heat of action; so, in the success of
their project, it shows how they who think to hide themselves from God, not only
deceive, but destroy themselves. Their refuge of lies will but bind them over to
God's judgment.
Jos 10:18 And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and
set men by it for to keep them: These kings are going
nowhere. (Trapped in the caves).
Jos 10:19 And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite
the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD
your God hath delivered them into your hand. God gave them
the victory. When God is with you, who can be against you.
Jos 10:20 And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had
made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were
consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced
cities. Destroyed them all except for a small remnant.
Remember, there were a lot of bad people in this group. (Gebor, Kenites, etc.).
Jos 10:21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in
peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
Not a word was uttered against Israel.
Jos 10:22 Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those
five kings unto me out of the cave.
Jos 10:23 And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of
the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the
king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
Jos 10:24 And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua,
that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the
men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these
kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
A little pressure right at the neck, the
weakest part of the body. Symbolic of victory.
Jos 10:25 And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and
of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye
fight.
Never fear! God will take care of your enemies.
Jos 10:26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on
five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
Hung them out to dry. Five kings on five trees. (Scripture
tells us: You can’t leave someone on a tree after sundown).
Jos 10:27 And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun,
that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them
into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's
mouth, which remain until this very day.
Place of the false kings.
Jos 10:28 And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of
the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls
that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah
as he did unto the king of Jericho. We will see that
Joshua is on a roll here conquering one city after another.
(God
was taking the promise land and giving it to the proper owners).
Makkedah: Situated about 8 miles east from Eleutheropolis. It was
afterwards assigned to the tribe of Judah. (Joshua 15:41).
Jos 10:29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto
Libnah, and fought against Libnah:
Jos 10:30 And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand
of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that
were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he
did unto the king of Jericho. The Lord delivered it into
the hand of Israel.
Jos 10:31 And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto
Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:
Lachish was also situated in the south of Judah, seven miles south from
Eleutheropolis. It appears to have been anciently a very strong place; for
though the people were panic struck, and the Israelites flushed with success,
yet Joshua could not reduce it till the second day; and the king of Assyria
afterwards was obliged to raise the siege.
Jos 10:32 And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took
it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls
that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah.
Jos 10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote
him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
Not going to happen when God is protecting His people.
Jos 10:34 And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him;
and they encamped against it, and fought against it: Moved
right on to Eglon and conquered it.
Jos 10:35 And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the
sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day,
according to all that he had done to Lachish. Wiped them
all out.
Jos 10:36 And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto
Hebron; and they fought against it: God leading and
directing.
Jos 10:37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the
king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were
therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but
destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
The king: From (Joshua 10:32), we learn that the king of
Hebron was one of the five whom Joshua slew and hanged on five trees at Makkedah.
This slaying of the king of Hebron, therefore, must either refer to what had
already been done, or the Hebronites had set up another, whom Joshua now slew
when he took the city.
Jos 10:38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought
against it:
Debir was situated in the south of the tribe of Judah, near Hebron. The
expression of Joshua's returning to Debir, probably denotes, that having carried
his conquests in the southern parts as far as Gaza (Joshua 10:41), which was in
the south-west angle of Canaan, he then marched back to besiege Debir.
Jos 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof;
and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the
souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to
Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to
Libnah, and to her king.
Jos 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and
of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining,
but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
Jos 10:41 And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the
country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
They took the whole south.
Jos 10:42 And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time,
because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. The God
of Israel being in total control. (Nothing has changed to this day).
Jos 10:43 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to
Gilgal.
Gilgal (The rolling away of sin).
Listen to God, repent, and He always takes care of His own.
Joshua 11
Jos 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those
things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and
to the king of Achshaph, King Jabin heard what happened
and sent messages to the kings of the north of Israel. (Joshua already took the
south, now he is going to take the north).
Jos 11:2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and
of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor
on the west,
Jos 11:3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to
the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the
mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
Jos 11:4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people,
even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and
chariots very many.
Jos 11:5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched
together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.
All joining forces to fight against Israel.
Jos 11:6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to
morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou
shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
The Jewish historian "Josephus" writes that the northern kings
combined had around 300,000 foot soldiers, 10,000 cavalry troops, and 21,000
chariots. Quite an army to come against Israel. (Israel had around 600,000
troops, but no cavalry or chariots).
Jos 11:7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by
the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
Joshua took the army of Israel and got right down to business attacking by
surprise. (The northern kings were not ready and Israel was).
Jos 11:8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them,
and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley
of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.
The Israelite army chased and killed them till not one
warrior of the kings were left alive. (Just as God had predicted).
Jos 11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their
horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.
They crippled
the horses and burned all the chariots just as the Lord instructed. (Sometimes
the innocent animals get destroyed in the art of war).
Jos 11:10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the
king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those
kingdoms. After Joshua wins the battle, he now turns back
and captured Hazor and killed it's king. (Hazor had been the capital of all
these kingdoms). "God had dealt right with the root of the problem." Why?
Because of what Satan brought upon this land. (It was a land of hybrids and
misfits that mixed in with these people).
Jos 11:11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge
of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe:
and he burnt Hazor with fire. The Israelites completely
destroyed everything and then burned the city.
Jos 11:12 And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did
Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly
destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
Joshua slaughtered all the kings and their people
just as Moses (The Lord's servant), had commanded. (God in control).
Jos 11:13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength,
Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
Those cities who did not fight were not burned.
Jos 11:14 And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of
Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge
of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.
Nothing left breathing! Sounds kind of brutal, but keep in
mind that this was God's judgment on a wicked civilization.
Jos 11:15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command
Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded
Moses. The Lord commanded Moses, so Moses commanded
Joshua. He did what he was told because he knew that the Lord gave these
instructions to Moses.
Jos 11:16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country,
and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of
Israel, and the valley of the same;
Conquered all that he
was instructed.
Jos 11:17 Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto
Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he
took, and smote them, and slew them. Halak: Meaning bare
mountain, or smooth mountain. (Cleansed the whole land).
Jos 11:18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.
This didn't happen over night. It took a long time for these results. Caleb was
forty years old when sent from Kadesh-barnea to spy the land, and he was
eighty-five at the conclusion of this war (Joshua 14:10). Almost thirty-nine
years of this time were spent before Israel passed Jordan; which leaves between
six and seven for the term of Joshua's wars. (Joshua 11:23, 14:7-10).
Jos 11:19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel,
save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in
battle.
Remember when Joshua made a deal with these people without
consulting God? (Joshua 9:18-21). "A BIG MISTAKE."
Jos 11:20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should
come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and
that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD
commanded Moses. Why? Because they were the descendants of
the Nephilim (the fallen angels), and it was necessary for the sword to destroy
them, as the flood did before. "God's will that they be destroyed." (Deuteronomy
7:1-5).
Jos 11:21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the
mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of
Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with
their cities. God's cleansing was necessary.
Jos 11:22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of
Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained.
The second
influx. The decendants of Anakim (long-necked), a race of giants. (Numbers
13:33). Still in Gaza and Gath, and Ashdod. (They were still there). It happened
before and it is happening now. (Happened so that we would know what would
befall us in the end times).
Jos 11:23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said
unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their
divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
The land allotted to the house of
Israel and house of Judah.
Joshua 12
Jos 12:1 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of
Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the
rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on
the east: The land taken by Israel.
Jos 12:2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled
from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the
middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which
is the border of the children of Ammon;
Jos 12:3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto
the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to
Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah:
Sea of Chinneroth: This inland sea, or rather lake, which drives its several
names, the Lake of Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Lake of Gennesareth, from the
territory which forms its western and south-western border, is computed to be
between seventeen and eighteen miles in length, and from five to six in breadth.
The waters of this lake, which are sweet and agreeable, lie in a deep basin,
surrounded with lofty hills, except at the north and south, where it is a plain
country or level. There is a current through the whole lake even to the shore;
and the Jordan through it is discernible by the smoothness of the surface in
that part. Jesus spent much of His time here. (John 6:1).
Jos 12:4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant
of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,
Bashan, land of
the giants.
Jos 12:5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto
the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border
of Sihon king of Heshbon.
Jos 12:6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel
smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto
the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua is following
what Moses has commanded. Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh settle east of the
Jordan. The other half of Manasseh would settle on the west side of the Jordan.
Jos 12:7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the
children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the
valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua
gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their
divisions; West
of the Jordan. (According to the twelve tribes that were conquered).
Jos 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the
springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the
Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
Remember there would still be hybrids from the fallen
angels mixed in. Now we are going to get a list of the "kings" that Joshua and
Israel conquered. (With God's help).
Jos 12:9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside
Bethel, one;
Jos 12:10 The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one;
Jos 12:11 The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
Jos 12:12 The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one;
Jos 12:13 The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
Jos 12:14 The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one;
Jos 12:15 The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
Jos 12:16 The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;
Jos 12:17 The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;
Jos 12:18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one;
Jos 12:19 The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;
Jos 12:20 The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one;
Jos 12:21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one;
Jos 12:22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one;
Jos 12:23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations
of Gilgal, one;
Jos 12:24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one.
Sixteen kings in the south, and fifteen kings of the north. Thirty one kings in
all. (That's how many kings Joshua conquered).
Joshua 13
Jos 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said
unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet
very much land to be possessed. Joshua around 100 years
old now. Still some work to be done. The big battles are finished, but there are
a few smaller battles that Israel will still face.
Now we will see the process of dividing the land among the
twelve tribes.
Jos 13:2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the
Philistines, and all Geshuri, The remaining territory.
Jos 13:3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of
Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the
Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites,
and the Ekronites; also the Avites: Later will become
enemies of Israel during the time King Saul and David.
Jos 13:4 From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that
is beside the Sidonians, unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites:
The north needs to be conquered yet.
Jos 13:5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising,
from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.
Here is where the
Nethinim come from. (Home of the Kenites).
Jos 13:6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto
Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before
the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an
inheritance, as I have commanded thee. God going to drive
them out of the land.
Jos 13:7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine
tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Divided among the
ten northern tribes. Remember that Manasseh is often referred to as the half
tribe because it will be divided and half would settle on one side of the
Jordan river and the other half on the other side of the Jordan.
Jos 13:8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their
inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses
the servant of the LORD gave them;
Jos 13:9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the
city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto
Dibon;
Jos 13:10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in
Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon;
Jos 13:11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and
all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah;
Jos 13:12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in
Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and
cast them out.
Jos 13:13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites,
nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the
Israelites until this day. The Israelites failed to drive
out the people of Geshur, so they lived among them.
Jos 13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the
sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance,
as he said unto them.
Jos 13:15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben
inheritance according to their families.
Jos 13:16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the
river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the
plain by Medeba;
Jos 13:17 Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon,
and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon,
Jos 13:18 And Jahazah, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath,
Jos 13:19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the
valley,
Jos 13:20 And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth,
Jos 13:21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king
of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of
Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of
Sihon, dwelling in the country.
Jos 13:22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of
Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them.
Jos 13:23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border
thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after
their families, the cities and the villages thereof.
Jos 13:24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even
unto the children of Gad according to their families.
Jos 13:25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half
the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah;
Jos 13:26 And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim
unto the border of Debir;
Jos 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and
Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his
border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side
Jordan eastward.
Jos 13:28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their
families, the cities, and their villages.
Jos 13:29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh:
and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of
Manasseh by their families.
Jos 13:30 And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of
Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan,
threescore cities:
Jos 13:31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of
Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of
Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their
families.
Jos 13:32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for
inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho,
eastward.
Jos 13:33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance:
the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.
At (Joshua 13:14), as well as here, notice is taken, that to the tribe of Levi,
"Moses gave no inheritance," for so God had appointed. (Numbers 18:20). If they
had been appointed to a lot entire by themselves, Moses would have served them
first, not because it was his own tribe, but because it was God's, but they must
be provided for in another manner; their habitation must be scattered in all the
tribes, and their maintenance brought out of all the tribes, and God himself was
the portion both of their inheritance and of their cup. (Joshua 18:7,
Deuteronomy 10:9, 18:1-2).
Joshua 14
Jos 14:1 And these are the countries which the children of Israel
inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of
Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel,
distributed for inheritance to them. Eleazar was the high
priest. (Head of the religious community). Joshua was the main man in charge.
Heads (fathers) of the tribes represented the tribes of Israel.
Jos 14:2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the
hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
lot: Though God had sufficiently pointed out by the predictions of Jacob and
Moses what portions he designed for each tribe, yet we readily discern an
admirable proof of His wisdom, in the orders he gave to decide them by lot. By
this means the false interpretations which might have been given to the words of
Jacob and Moses were prevented; and by striking at the root of whatever might
occasion jealousies and disputes among the tribes, he evidently secured the
honesty of those appointed to distribute the conquered lands of Canaan. Besides,
the success of this method gave a fresh proof of the divinity of the Jewish
religion, and the truth of its oracles. Each tribe finding itself placed by lot
exactly in the spot where Jacob and Moses foretold, it was evident that
Providence had equally directed both the predictions and that lot; and it would
be the greatest folly and presumption not to acknowledge the inspiration of God
in the words of Jacob and Moses; the direction of his hand in the lot, and his
providence in the event.
Jos 14:3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe
on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among
them.
Jos 14:4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim:
therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell
in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
The land divided into twelve parts, but the tribe of Levi didn't
get a portion of land. Although they did have towns to live in.
Jos 14:5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they
divided the land.
Jos 14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the
son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the
LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
Jos 14:7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent
me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it
was in mine heart.
Jos 14:8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the
people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
Caleb
is going to remind Joshua what Moses had promised him about 45 years ago.
Jos 14:9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy
feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever,
because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
Jos 14:10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these
forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while
the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am
this day fourscore and five years old.
Jos 14:11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day
that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my
strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Jos 14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that
day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and
that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD
will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
The land of giants. (Descendents of Anak).
Jos 14:13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh
Hebron for an inheritance. Caleb gets Hebron (seat of
association), as his inheritance.
Jos 14:14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of
Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD
God of Israel.
Jos 14:15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba
was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
The land of the giants (Numbers 13:22) it is, that Caleb would pick. He was
promised by Moses (through God), that he would inherit the land that he spied
out. But My servant Caleb, because he has a different
spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he
went, and his descendants shall inherit it. (Numbers 14:24). A different
spirit: Hmmm. It is probable that Caleb was a foreigner by birth (a proselyte),
incorporated into the tribe of Judah.
Joshua 15
Jos 15:1 This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah
by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin
southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.
This then was the lot: The geography of the sacred writings
presents many difficulties, occasioned by the changes which Canaan has
undergone, especially for the last 2,000 years. Many of the ancient towns and
villages have had their names so totally changed that their former appellations
are no longer discernible; several lie buried under their own ruins, and others
have been so long destroyed that not a vestige of them remains. On these
accounts it is very difficult to ascertain the precise situation of many places
mentioned in these chapters; but this cannot in any measure affect the truth of
the narrative.
Jos 15:2 And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the
bay that looketh southward: Border around the tribe of
Judah.
Jos 15:3 And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed
along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed
along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:
Karkaa: Supposed to be the Coracea of Ptolemy, in Arabia Petrea
Eusebius places a castle called Carcaria at the distance of a day's journey from
Petra.
Jos 15:4 From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the
river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be
your south coast. Azmon: The last city they possessed
towards Egypt; east of the River of Egypt or Rhinocorura. (Numbers 34:5).
Jos 15:5 And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the
end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the
bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:
Jos 15:6 And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north
of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:
Jos 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so
northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim,
which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the
waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
Jos 15:8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the
south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up
to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom
westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:
Valley of the giants: Situated apparently west of Jerusalem and mount Moriah.
(Joshua 18:16, 2 Samuel 5:18, 2 Samuel 5:22, Isaiah 17:5), the valley of Rephaim.
Jos 15:9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain
of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the
border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:
Jos 15:10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and
passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the
north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:
Jos 15:11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the
border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto
Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.
Jos 15:12 And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast
thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about
according to their families. The shoreline of the
Mediterranean sea was the western boundary.
Jos 15:13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the
children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even
the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
The race of giants lived here also.
Jos 15:14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman,
and Talmai, the children of Anak. The place Caleb asked
for in his inheritance. Not worried about the giants, he knew God was with him.
(Joshua 14:12). Note: Caleb asked for help from God, but he still had to drive
out the giants. Lesson: Just because you ask God for something, doesn't mean
that you just get it. God will help you if you put in the effort. "He wants you
to work for it."
Jos 15:15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of
Debir before was Kirjathsepher.
Jos 15:16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to
him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. A little deal
put forth by Caleb. Any takers?
Jos 15:17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he
gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.
Othniel: (force of
God), would be Caleb's nephew.
Jos 15:18 And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved
him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb
said unto her, What wouldest thou?
Jos 15:19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south
land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the
nether springs.
Jos 15:20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Judah according to their families. Theses are the cities
of Judah below (Joshua 15:20-63). Note: Some of the cities will belong to more
than one tribe; like Jerusalem (Judah and Benjamin).
Jos 15:21 And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah
toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
Jos 15:22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,
Jos 15:23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
Jos 15:24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,
Jos 15:25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is
Hazor,
Jos 15:26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,
Jos 15:27 And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,
Jos 15:28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
Jos 15:29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,
Jos 15:30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,
Jos 15:31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,
Jos 15:32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities
are twenty and nine, with their villages:
Jos 15:33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,
Area where Samson hung out.
Jos 15:34 And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,
Jos 15:35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,
Socoh and Azekah: The Philistines were camped near here when David fought
Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:1).
Jos 15:36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen
cities with their villages:
Jos 15:37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,
Jos 15:38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,
Jos 15:39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,
Jos 15:40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,
Jos 15:41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities
with their villages:
Jos 15:42 Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,
Jos 15:43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,
Jos 15:44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their
villages:
Jos 15:45 Ekron, with her towns and her villages:
Jos 15:46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with
their villages:
Jos 15:47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her
villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:
Jos 15:48 And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,
Jos 15:49 And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,
Jos 15:50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,
Jos 15:51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their
villages:
Jos 15:52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,
Jos 15:53 And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,
Jos 15:54 And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine
cities with their villages:
Jos 15:55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,
Jos 15:56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,
Jos 15:57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
Jos 15:58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,
Jos 15:59 And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their
villages:
Jos 15:60 Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities
with their villages:
Jos 15:61 In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,
Jos 15:62 And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with
their villages.
Jos 15:63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of
Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of
Judah at Jerusalem unto this day. Jerusalem will be shared
with the tribe of Benjamin. (Joshua 18:28).
Joshua 16
Jos 16:1 And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho,
unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from
Jericho throughout mount Bethel, Jacob (father of Joseph),
blessed Joseph with a double portion, so, Manasseh and Ephraim (two sons of
Joseph), were granted equal status to the other tribes. Many scholars believe
this to be part of an end time prophecy. Israel was to become a great nation.
(The lost tribes of Israel traveled north over the Caucasus Mountains and
settled in Europe and the Americas). Manasseh (the United States), represents
that great nation, and a company of nations (The British commonwealth, or Great
Britain), which represents Ephraim. (A good book explaining this is "The Key of
David" by Herbert W. Armstrong).
Jos 16:2 And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders
of Archi to Ataroth,
Jos 16:3 And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of
Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
Jos 16:4 So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their
inheritance.
Jos 16:5 And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their
families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side
was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
Jos 16:6 And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north
side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on
the east to Janohah;
Jos 16:7 And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came
to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
Jos 16:8 The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and
the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the
tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
Jos 16:9 And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were
among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their
villages.
Jos 16:10 And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the
Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
They didn't drive out the Canaanites as instructed by God
and they dwell among the people of Ephraim till this day. (Numbers 33:52-55,
Deuteronomy 7:1-2).
Joshua 17
Jos 17:1 There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was
the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh,
the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and
Bashan. Manasseh settled on the eastern side of the Jordan
River.
Jos 17:2 There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh
by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek,
and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the
children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male
children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.
Jos 17:3 But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of
Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters: and these are
the names of his daughters, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Jos 17:4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the
son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The LORD commanded Moses to give us
an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the
LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
Jos 17:5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead
and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;
Ten portions: As there were six sons and five daughters, among whom this
division was to be made, there should be eleven portions, but Zelophehad, son of
Hepher, having left five daughters in his place, neither he nor Hepher is
reckoned. The lot of Manasseh therefore was divided into ten parts; five for the
five sons of Gilead, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, and Shemida; and five for
the five daughters of Zelophehad, Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
(Joshua 17:2-3, 17:14).
Jos 17:6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons:
and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.
Jos 17:7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that
lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the
inhabitants of Entappuah. Territory of Manasseh. Michmethah: Situated, probably, east of Shechem, though
its precise situation, as well as that of many others, cannot, at this distance
of time, be ascertained. Many of these towns were small, and we may rationally
conclude, slightly built; and consequently have perished more than two thousand
years ago. It would therefore be useless now to look for such places; though in
many instances, their ancient names have been preserved, and their sites
identified. Several towns even in England, mentioned by Cesar and other ancient
writers, are no longer discernible; several have changed their names, and not a
few their situation. (Joshua 16:6-8).
Jos 17:8 Now Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but Tappuah on the
border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim;
Jos 17:9 And the coast descended unto the river Kanah, southward of the
river: these cities of Ephraim are among the cities of Manasseh: the
coast of Manasseh also was on the north side of the river, and the
outgoings of it were at the sea: River Kanah: or, brook of
reeds, The brook Kanah seem to be what is now called Nahr el Kasab, which falls
into the Mediterranean a few miles south of Cesarea of Palestine. (Joshua 16:8).
Jos 17:10 Southward it was Ephraim's, and northward it was
Manasseh's, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the
north, and in Issachar on the east.
Jos 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns,
and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the
inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her
towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three
countries. Note: Megiddo was one of the royal cities of
the Canaanites, guarding the Valley of Jezereel. The location of the battle of
Armageddon. (Zechariah 12:11, Revelation 16:16).
Jos 17:12 Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants
of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.
Big mistake not to drive out the Canaanites.
Jos 17:13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong,
that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.
The Israelites became strong enough to drive out the Canaanites, but they didn't
listen to God. God warned the nation before not to leave things unfinished.
(Numbers 33:55, Joshua 16:10).
Jos 17:14 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou
given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a
great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?
They wanted more land.
Jos 17:15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then
get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the
land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for
thee. Joshua tells them if you want more land to go and conquer it.
Jos 17:16 And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and
all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron,
both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who
are of the valley of Jezreel. Their response is
just to complain to Joshua. His idea to go get it yourself is to hard for them.
Sound familiar? (Everything handed out to people today, no one wants to earn
it).
Jos 17:17 And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim
and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power:
thou shalt not have one lot only:
Jos 17:18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou
shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive
out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be
strong. The land is there, go out and take it and work it.
Have no fear, the Lord is here. (Romans 8:31, Hebrews 13:6).
Joshua 18
Jos 18:1 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled
together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the
land was subdued before them. Shiloh (place of rest), was
situated on a hill in the tribe of Ephraim, though near the borders of Benjamin,
about fifteen miles north of Jerusalem. Shiloh would become the center
(headquarters), for Israel. The Ark of the Covenant would find a permanent home
here for about 400 years, until the Ark is captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel
4:3-11).
Jos 18:2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which
had not yet received their inheritance. Five down and
seven to go to get their inheritance.
Jos 18:3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye
slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given
you? Five of the tribes took care of business, while the
other seven are waiting around for something to happen. What are you waiting for
Joshua asked?
Jos 18:4 Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will
send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it
according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.
Jos 18:5 And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in
their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on
the north.
Jos 18:6 Ye shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and
bring the description hither to me, that I may cast lots for you here
before the LORD our God.
Jos 18:7 But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the
LORD is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of
Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses
the servant of the LORD gave them.
Jos 18:8 And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went
to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and
come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.
Check out the land. (Survey the land).
Jos 18:9 And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by
cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host
at Shiloh. Described: The surveyors seem to have formed
some kind of map of the country, as well as a description of it in writing. The
Egyptians, from the situation of their fields, as annually overflowed by the
Nile, acquired great skill in mensuration and land surveying; and some of the
Israelites had, no doubt, learned these from them, without a knowledge of which
they could not properly have divided the land. This is probably the first act of
surveying on record. (Acts 13:19).
Jos 18:10 And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there
Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their
divisions. Cast lots: Kind of like drawing straws or
throwing dice to determine the land.
Jos 18:11 And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up
according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the
children of Judah and the children of Joseph. The first
allotment of land went to the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.
Jos 18:12 And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border
went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the
mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of
Bethaven.
Jos 18:13 And the border went over from thence toward Luz, to the side of
Luz, which is Bethel, southward; and the border descended to Atarothadar,
near the hill that lieth on the south side of the nether Bethhoron.
Jos 18:14 And the border was drawn thence, and compassed the corner of
the sea southward, from the hill that lieth before Bethhoron southward;
and the goings out thereof were at Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, a
city of the children of Judah: this was the west quarter.
Jos 18:15 And the south quarter was from the end of Kirjathjearim, and
the border went out on the west, and went out to the well of waters of Nephtoah:
Jos 18:16 And the border came down to the end of the mountain that lieth
before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley
of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side
of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel,
Jos 18:17 And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went
forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and
descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben,
Jos 18:18 And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and
went down unto Arabah:
Jos 18:19 And the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward:
and the outgoings of the border were at the north bay of the salt sea at the
south end of Jordan: this was the south coast.
Jos 18:20 And Jordan was the border of it on the east side. This was
the inheritance of the children of Benjamin, by the coasts thereof round about,
according to their families.
Jos 18:21 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according
to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz,
Jos 18:22 And Betharabah, and Zemaraim, and Bethel,
Jos 18:23 And Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah,
Jos 18:24 And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their
villages:
Jos 18:25 Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth,
Jos 18:26 And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,
Jos 18:27 And Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah,
Jos 18:28 And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath,
and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the
inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.
Jebus (Jerusalem), one of the cities that would be shared by more than one
tribe.
Joshua 19
Jos 19:1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe
of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was
within the inheritance of the children of Judah. The
second allotment to the clans and tribe of Simeon.
Jos 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
Jos 19:3 And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,
Jos 19:4 And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,
Jos 19:5 And Ziklag, and Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusah,
Jos 19:6 And Bethlebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:
Jos 19:7 Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:
Jos 19:8 And all the villages that were round about these cities to
Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This is the inheritance of the tribe of
the children of Simeon according to their families.
Jos 19:9 Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the
inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was
too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within
the inheritance of them. Since Judah's territory was too
large for them, the tribe of Simeon received an allocation within the territory
of Judah.
Jos 19:10 And the third lot came up for the children of Zebulun according to
their families: and the border of their inheritance was unto Sarid:
The third allotment went to the clans and tribe of Zebulun's.
Jos 19:11 And their border went up toward the sea, and Maralah, and reached
to Dabbasheth, and reached to the river that is before Jokneam;
The river Kishon, which empties itself into the Mediterranean near mount Carmel,
in the vicinity of which Jokneam was situated.
Jos 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border
of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
Jos 19:13 And from thence passeth on along on the east to Gittahhepher, to
Ittahkazin, and goeth out to Remmonmethoar to Neah;
Jos 19:14 And the border compasseth it on the north side to Hannathon: and
the outgoings thereof are in the valley of Jiphthahel:
Jos 19:15 And Kattath, and Nahallal, and Shimron, and Idalah, and Bethlehem:
twelve cities with their villages.
Jos 19:16 This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according
to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos 19:17 And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of
Issachar according to their families. Fourth allotment
went to the clans of the tribe of Issachar.
Jos 19:18 And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,
Jos 19:19 And Hapharaim, and Shion, and Anaharath,
Jos 19:20 And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,
Jos 19:21 And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;
Jos 19:22 And the coast reacheth to Tabor, and Shahazimah, and Bethshemesh;
and the outgoings of their border were at Jordan: sixteen cities with their
villages.
Jos 19:23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Issachar according to their families, the cities and their villages.
Jos 19:24 And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher
according to their families. The fifth allotment of land
went to the clans of the tribe of Asher.
Jos 19:25 And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,
Jos 19:26 And Alammelech, and Amad, and Misheal; and reacheth to Carmel
westward, and to Shihorlibnath;
Jos 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to
Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and
Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,
Jos 19:28 And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto
great Zidon;
Jos 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city
Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea
from the coast to Achzib:
Jos 19:30 Ummah also, and Aphek, and Rehob: twenty and two cities with their
villages.
Jos 19:31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos 19:32 The sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for
the children of Naphtali according to their families.
The
sixth allotment went to the clans of the tribe of Naphtali. (My wrestling).
Jos 19:33 And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami,
Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan:
Jos 19:34 And then the coast turneth westward to Aznothtabor, and
goeth out from thence to Hukkok, and reacheth to Zebulun on the south side, and
reacheth to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the
sunrising.
Jos 19:35 And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath,
and Chinnereth,
Jos 19:36 And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,
Jos 19:37 And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,
Jos 19:38 And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh;
nineteen cities with their villages.
Jos 19:39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of
Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages.
Around 1,400 years later, this would be the area that Jesus spent
time in His ministry. Where the people in darkness would see a great light.
"Jesus." (Matthew 4:13-16).
Jos 19:40 And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children
of Dan according to their families. The seventh allotment
went to the clans of the tribe of Dan.
Jos 19:41 And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and
Irshemesh,
Jos 19:42 And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,
Jos 19:43 And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,
Jos 19:44 And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,
Jos 19:45 And Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon,
Jos 19:46 And Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho.
Jos 19:47 And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for
them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took
it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt
therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
Jos 19:48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan
according to their families, these cities with their villages.
Jos 19:49 When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by
their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of
Nun among them: After all the land was divided among the
tribes, the Israelites gave Joshua a piece of land for his allocation.
Jos 19:50 According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he
asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and
dwelt therein. It was by God (not the people), who said
Joshua could have any piece of land he wanted.
Jos 19:51 These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and
Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the
children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD,
at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of
dividing the country. The division of the land was
completed and each tribe had their place in the promise land.
Joshua 20
Jos 20:1 The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Jos 20:2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities
of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
Appoint the cities of assistance or protection.
Jos 20:3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and
unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of
blood. For capital crimes the penalty was death. For
accidental crimes they would seek refuge at one of these cities.
Jos 20:4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at
the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of
the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give
him a place, that he may dwell among them. They would
appear before the elders and state their case.
Jos 20:5 And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not
deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly,
and hated him not beforetime.
Jos 20:6 And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the
congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that
shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own
city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
The slayer would remain in the city until the death of the high
priest in office at the time, then he would be free to return to his home town.
Jos 20:7 And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem
in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of
Judah.
Jos 20:8 And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned
Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in
Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of
Manasseh.
Jos 20:9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and
for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any
person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of
blood, until he stood before the congregation. These
cities of refuge were set apart for all the Israelites as well as the foreigners
living among them. Again, they were for anyone who accidentally killed another
person, so they could take refuge in one of the cities.
Joshua 21
Jos 21:1 Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar
the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of
the tribes of the children of Israel; Seems they want a
bigger piece of the action.
Jos 21:2 And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying,
The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the
suburbs thereof for our cattle. It appears that Moses
promised them more cities once the promised land was conquered. (Numbers
35:2-8).
Jos 21:3 And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their
inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.
The people of Israel gave the Levites parts of their own grants of land.
Jos 21:4 And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the
children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out
of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of
Benjamin, thirteen cities. These tribes furnished more
habitation to the Levites, in proportion, than any of the other tribes, because
they possessed a more extensive inheritance, agreeably to what Moses had
commanded (Numbers 35:8). It is worthy of remark, that the principal part of
this tribe, whose business was to minister at the sanctuary, which sanctuary was
afterwards established at Jerusalem, had their appointment nearest to that city;
so that they were always within reach of the sacred work which God had appointed
them.
Jos 21:5 And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the
families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the
half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.
Jos 21:6 And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of
the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of
Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.
Jos 21:7 The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe
of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve
cities.
Jos 21:8 And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities
with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
The Israelites obeyed the Lord's command to Moses and gave the Levites land by
casting lots.
Jos 21:9 And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of
the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here
mentioned by name,
Jos 21:10 Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the
Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the
first lot.
Jos 21:11 And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which
city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs
thereof round about it.
Jos 21:12 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to
Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
Jos 21:13 Thus they gave 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,
Jos 21:14 And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
Jos 21:15 And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
Jos 21:16 And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and
Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.
Jos 21:17 And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba
with her suburbs,
Jos 21:18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
Jos 21:19 All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were
thirteen cities with their suburbs.
Jos 21:20 And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which
remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of
the tribe of Ephraim.
Jos 21:21 For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to
be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
Jos 21:22 And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four
cities.
Jos 21:23 And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon
with her suburbs,
Jos 21:24 Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.
Jos 21:25 And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and
Gathrimmon with her suburbs; two cities.
Jos 21:26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families
of the children of Kohath that remained.
Jos 21:27 And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites,
out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan
with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah
with her suburbs; two cities.
Jos 21:28 And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh
with her suburbs,
Jos 21:29 Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.
Jos 21:30 And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with
her suburbs,
Jos 21:31 Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.
Jos 21:32 And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her
suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her
suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.
Jos 21:33 All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families
were thirteen cities with their suburbs.
Jos 21:34 And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the
Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with
her suburbs,
Jos 21:35 Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
Jos 21:36 And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah
with her suburbs,
Jos 21:37 Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four
cities.
Jos 21:38 And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs,
to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
Jos 21:39 Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in
all.
Jos 21:40 So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families,
which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot
twelve cities.
Jos 21:41 All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children
of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
The Levites get 48 towns within Israel territory.
Jos 21:42 These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them:
thus were all these cities.
Jos 21:43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give
unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
The Lord gave Israel all the land He had promised.
Jos 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he
sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before
them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
God gave them rest all around and none of their enemies could
stand against them. (The Lord was with them).
Jos 21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken
unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Every promise
the Lord had made to Israel was fulfilled and came true. God is faithful and you
can trust Him to keep His word. "When He calls, listen, He gets things done." (1
Corinthians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians5:24).
Joshua 22
Jos 22:1 Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half
tribe of Manasseh, Reubenites: We have already seen, that
a detachment of 40,000 men, of the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe
of Manasseh, had passed over Jordan armed, with their brethren, according to
their agreement with Moses. The war being now concluded, the land divided, and
their brethren settled, Joshua assembles these warriors; and with commendations
for their services and fidelity, he dismisses them, having fist given them the
most pious and suitable instructions. They had now been about seven years absent
from their respective families; and though there was only the river Jordan
between the camp of Gilgal and their own inheritance, yet it does not appear
that they had, during that time, ever revisited their home, which they might
have done at any time of the year, except the harvest, as the river was at other
times easily fordable.
Jos 22:2 And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the
LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
Kept their promise to help the other tribes conquer their
territories. (Numbers 32:20-29).
Jos 22:3 Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but
have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.
Again, helping the other tribes take their land.
Jos 22:4 And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he
promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and
unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you
on the other side Jordan. Return back to your homes. These
men have been away from their families for about seven years now.
Jos 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which
Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to
walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and
to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Keep serving the Lord with all your heart.
Jos 22:6 So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their
tents. Joshua gives them a blessing and they return to
their homes.
Jos 22:7 Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given
possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua
among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them
away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
Jos 22:8 And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your
tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass,
and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with
your brethren. It became very profitable for these tribes
to help the other tribes, but they did it because it was the right thing to do.
Jos 22:9 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half
tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of
Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead,
to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the
word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
Shiloh was the main
house of worship. Now they start their journey back to their own land of Gilead.
Jos 22:10 And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in
the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half
tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.
They wanted their own house of worship. This verse should probably be rendered,
"And when they came to the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan,
the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
Then built an altar by or, beyond Jordan, a great altar to the view." It would
appear, that when they came to the river, they formed the purpose of building
the altar; and when they crossed it they put that purpose into execution. It is
evident that they did not build it west of the Jordan, for that was not in their
territories, and the next verse expressly says that it was built over against
the land of Canaan.
Jos 22:11 And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of
Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an
altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage
of the children of Israel. Lack of communication. The
problem was that this would not be an authorized alter for sacrifice. (Leviticus
17:8-9).
Jos 22:12 And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole
congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh,
to go up to war against them. Supposing they had built
this altar for sacrifice, in opposition to the command of God, they considered
them as rebels against God and the Israelitish constitution. (They wanted to war
against their own people). Lack of communication when you don't consult with God
first. Their was instruction if a city goes away from the Lord. (Deuteronomy
13:12-15).
Jos 22:13 And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to
the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead,
Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
Phinehas (brass
mouth or mouth of a serpent), was the son of Eleazar, who was the son of Aaron.
Jos 22:14 And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout
all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their
fathers among the thousands of Israel. Ready to make war.
Jos 22:15 And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of
Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake
with them, saying,
Jos 22:16 Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is
this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day
from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might
rebel this day against the LORD? Accusing right off the
bat. Didn't even consult with the Lord first. "Causing trouble."
Jos 22:17 Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are
not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of
the LORD, Talking about when the Moabite women had been
seducing the Israelite men into worshipping other gods at the direction of
Balaam. (Numbers 25:4-18).
Jos 22:18 But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it
will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will
be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel. More
worried about themselves.
Jos 22:19 Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean,
then pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the LORD, wherein
the LORD'S tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not
against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the
altar of the LORD our God. They just wanted their own
place to worship.
Jos 22:20 Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed
thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished
not alone in his iniquity. The people suffered because of
what Achan did. (Joshua 7:1).
Jos 22:21 Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half
tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,
The conduct and answer of these Reubenites and the associates are worthy of
admiration and imitation. Though conscious of their innocence, they permitted
Phinehas to finish his speech, though composed of little else than accusations,
without any interruption; and taking in good part the suspicions, reproofs, and
even harshness of their brethren, with the utmost meekness and solemnity they
explain their intention, give all the satisfaction in their power, and with
great propriety and reverence, appeal to that God against whom they were
supposed to have rebelled.
Jos 22:22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel
he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the
LORD, (save us not this day,)
Jos 22:23 That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or
if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace
offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;
This was to be only for a church of worship. (No sacrifices).
Jos 22:24 And if we have not rather done it for fear of this
thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children,
saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
Jos 22:25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye
children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall
your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.
We are divided by the Jordan River, placed there by God. "You can't claim the
Lord for yourselves."
Jos 22:26 Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for
burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: Were not going to break
God's laws.
Jos 22:27 But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and
our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him
with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings;
that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part
in the LORD. We just want our own church to worship the
Lord. Then in the future, you cannot say that we have no claim to the Lord.
Jos 22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say
to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again,
Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for
burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and
you. This is our way of saying that we love the Lord as
much as you do.
Jos 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. We would not go against the laws of
sacrifice.
Jos 22:30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation
and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words
that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh
spake, it pleased them. Everyone was satisfied now. It was
good in their eyes, It is remarkable, that Joshua is not once named in this
transaction; but this only shows, that he did not in his old age assume any
regal authority, but left the elders and magistrates to conduct the general
business, only acting himself when great occasions made it necessary. Yet we
cannot doubt, that his wisdom and piety influenced the counsels of the elders
and people at this time.
Jos 22:31 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children
of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day
we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this
trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of
the hand of the LORD. Even Phinehas is satisfied now.
Jos 22:32 And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes,
returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the
land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought
them word again.
Jos 22:33 And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of
Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to
destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.
All the Israelites were satisfied and praised God. They spoke no
more of war against Reuben and Gad.
Jos 22:34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar
Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is
God.
Ed means witness. (Witness on this side of the river). They would
go back to Shiloh on the feast days. (Peace finally came through communication).
Joshua 23
Jos 23:1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest
unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and
stricken in age. The people are finally at rest from their
enemies and Joshua is getting up there in age. (Over 100 years old now).
Jos 23:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and
for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto
them, I am old and stricken in age: And for their
elders: Or, "even for their elders," etc.; for it is probably that Joshua gave
the following charge only to the elders, judges, etc., to communicate to the
people.
Jos 23:3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these
nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for
you. The Lord has fought for you and has done great
things. (The Lord will do the same for you if you study His Word and get to know
Him).
Jos 23:4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to
be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have
cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
From the Jordan
River, westward to the Mediterranean sea.
Jos 23:5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and
drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD
your God hath promised unto you. You will possess their
land: When God promises something, He delivers. (Deuteronomy 11:23). You can
even remind God of His promises. (Isaiah 43:26).
Jos 23:6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is
written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to
the right hand or to the left;
Careful to follow
God's instructions. (Everything Moses wrote in the book of instruction). Do not
deviate from it, turning either to the "right" or the "left." Same thing God
said to Joshua:
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to
do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not
from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper
whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7). Don't just follow the right or the left because of profit or promises from
others. (Something voters and politicians should think about).
Jos 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you;
neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them,
neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: That ye
come: Have no civil or social contacts with them, as these will infallibly lead
to spiritual affinities, in consequence of which, ye will make honorable
"mention of the name of their gods," "swear by them" "and serve" them in their
abominable rites; and "bow yourselves unto them," as your creators and
preservers. All this will follow by simply coming among them. He who walks in
the counsel of the ungodly, will soon stand in the way of sinners, and sit in
the seat of scorners. (Look at what many churches bring into the mix today).
Jos 23:8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
Stick with Gods way, not the ways of the world. "Cling tightly to the Lord."
(Acts 11:23).
Jos 23:9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and
strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto
this day. Stick with God and you will get the victory.
Jos 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he
it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
Numbers mean nothing when God is on your side. (Psalm 35:1, Romans 8:31).
Jos 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD
your God. Love God and protect your soul. All things work
together for the good to them that love and obey God. (Romans 8:28).
Jos 23:12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of
these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages
with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: If you
mix in with them and their ways. (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Jos 23:13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out
any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps
unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish
from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
Mess up and you will lose your land and the people
will become a snare to you. (a thorn in your side).
Jos 23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth:
and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath
failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all
are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
Everything God has promised has come to pass.
Jos 23:15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are
come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring
upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land
which the LORD your God hath given you. If you don't
follow Gods ways, just as He has given you the land, He will take it away.
Jos 23:16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which
he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to
them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall
perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you. Break God's covenant and His anger will burn against you.
"God is faithful to love, but He is also faithful to judge." It's called tough
love! When you do something wrong or against God's commandments, expect to be
corrected. (Hebrews 12:5-6).
Joshua 24
Jos 24:1 And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called
for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for
their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
Shechem (meaning back or shoulder), is where Joshua called the chiefs of all the
tribes to him on that mount, which had before been consecrated by the law, and
by the altar which he had erected. (Joshua 8:30). Shechem is the city located
between two mountains. Mount "Ebal" and Mount Gerazim. Shechem was a place they
returned to as a reminder that the nation of Israel served Yahveh.
Jos 24:2 And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even
Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other
gods.
Jos 24:3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and
led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him
Isaac. The first place Abraham stopped in the land of
Canaan was Shechem.
Jos 24:4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount
Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
Jos 24:5 I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that
which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.
Jos 24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea;
and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the
Red sea.
Jos 24:7 And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and
the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes
have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long
season.
Jos 24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the
other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand,
that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.
Jos 24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against
Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
Jos 24:10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you
still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
Jos 24:11 And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of
Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the
Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the
Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.
God
delivered the enemy right in the hand of Israel.
Jos 24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before
you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword,
nor with thy bow. God brought the
victory. (Exodus 23:28). "It was the hornets."
Jos 24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities
which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which
ye planted not do ye eat. God prepared everything for
them.
Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in
truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the
flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. Put away the
gods: From this exhortation of Joshua, we not only learn that the Israelites
still retained some relics of idolatry, but to what gods they were attached.
1. Those whom their fathers worshipped on the other side of the food, or the
river Euphrates, i.e., the gods of the Chaldeans, fire, light, the sun, etc.
2. Those of the Egyptians, Apis, Anubis, serpents, vegetables, etc.
3. Those of the Amorites, Moabites, Canaanites, etc., Baal-peor, Astarte,
etc.
How astonishing is it, that after all that God had done for them, and all the
miracles they had seen, there should still be found among them both idols and
idolaters! (Joshua 24:2, 24:23, Genesis 35:2, Exodus 20:3-4). i.e. don't listen
to false preachers and traditions of men. You don't need them. God gave you this
"book" His written Word, open to all who will receive it.
Jos 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day
whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were
on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
"We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods." (Don't serve some church
or denomination that teaches false doctrine and traditions of men).
Jos 24:16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake
the LORD, to serve other gods; Do not be deceived!
Jos 24:17 For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our
fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those
great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and
among all the people through whom we passed:
God takes
care of His own. Believe what you want, but if it is not the truth in the Word,
you may pay the price.
Remember God almost killed Balaam. (Numbers 22:5-35).
Jos 24:18 And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the
Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD;
for he is our God.
Jos 24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he
is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your
transgressions nor your sins. Warning to those who
transgress and do not follow and love God.
Jos 24:20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn
and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
If you forsake
God and serve strange gods. After all the good God has done to all the people
for many years, the choice is still yours on who to serve. "God or Satan." (Satan
tempted Christ with scripture, what do you think he will tempt you with)? You
need to know the truth in the word.
Jos 24:21 And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.
Jos 24:22 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against
yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We
are witnesses. Ye are witnesses: Ye have been
sufficiently apprised of the difficulties in your way - of God's holiness, and
the nature of his service - your own weakness, inconstancy, and insufficiency -
your need of the Divine help, and the hope of assistance held out in the law -
and the awful consequences of apostasy, and now ye make your choice. Remember
then that ye are witnesses against yourselves; and your own conscience will be
witness, judge, and executioner. i.e. Don't fall for new religions. "The Word is
the same today as it was from the beginning."
Jos 24:23 Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which
are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
Get rid of all the junk and turn to the Lord! Put away religion and be a true
Christian. Learn the truth of the Word. Remember, "Christianity is "real
life," not religion." (Proverbs 2:2).
Jos 24:24 And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve,
and his voice will we obey. This generation keeps their
word and they do serve the Lord. However, things begin to slip after Joshua
dies.
Jos 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a
statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
Jos 24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and
took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the
sanctuary of the LORD.
Eight miles south of
Shiloh. (Abraham received the covenant there and Jacob bought a piece of land
there). Now Joshua.
Jos 24:27 And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a
witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto
us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.
A witness against you if you go back on your word to God.
Jos 24:28 So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.
Jos 24:29 And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun,
the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
Joshua (a type of Christ), to enter the promise land had died at
the age of 110 years old. "Joshua was a good and faithful servant." (2 Timothy
4:7-8, Revelation 14:13). God chooses who He ever wills.
Jos 24:30 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in
Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of
Gaash. Timnathserah: (portion of the sun).
Jos 24:31 And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days
of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the
LORD, that he had done for Israel. This is history, to see
how much God is with us till this day.
Jos 24:32 And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up
out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought
of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and
it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
A special place
for the children of Joseph. (His bones were buried there).
Jos 24:33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill
that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.
Eleazar was the
third son of Aron. Buried him in Ephraim. (meaning double fruit). So, we end
with the death of Joshua, burial of the bones of Joseph, and the death of
Eleazar the high priest. Who will you serve? The time is near my friend, and we
all need to make a stand on what we believe. I hope that you will say "Yes
to
Jesus."
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