Chapter 11

(Joshua 11:5)  And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel.

Confederate against God’s people. Revelation’s battle of Megido. Psalm 2:2

These kings have imagined a vain thing. So has the flesh, the devil, and the world. God is for us, who can be against us.

(Joshua 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.

The other waters: Merah, Meribah, and Mizpah… I think.  Now Merom. There might be a message in all these waters one day. Water on this side of the Jordan. Water on the other side of Jordan.

(Joshua 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.

This is the second wave of defeats for the people of Canaan. There were several kings: Jabin king of Hazor, Jobab of Madon, of Shimron, of Achsaph, kings of the north of the moutains, or the plains of the south of Chinneroth, in the valley… etc etc. etc.

You would have thought that the five kings of the Amorites would have taught them. No. What else were they to do? War mongering Israelites were taking up all the land and slaughtering whole cities. They did what any soveriegn nation would do. They’re fight for the existence. All this reminds me of what Jesus said about the devil coming back and finding his house cleaned up, he bring in seven more devils and the state is worst.

That’s what you do. You get more firepower. You get more armies. And you fight. That’s why it’s kill or be killed. If you do not take active steps to subdue your flesh, it will subdue you.

(Joshua 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.

Reminds me of my premis in this message. The Computer Logic of Romans There is no peace between the flesh and the Spirit, until you drop this flesh.

(Joshua 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.

Praise the Lord. I wonder if this can be likened to the rest in Hebrews. Or how about the rest that Jesus talks about for your soul. We rest when the enemy rest (in peace).

Chapter 12

(Joshua 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;
(Joshua 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:
(Joshua 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,
(Joshua 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.
(Joshua 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.

Once again, much time given to this side of the Jordan, the borders, the kings smote, the Reubenites, Gadites, and 1/2 tribe of Manasseh. I can’t wait to see what happens to these later in the bible.

Sihon and Og again.

Chapter 13

(Joshua 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.

Inheritance? The sacrifices of the LORD God are their inheritance. I know there’s other verses that call out specific things that are the Levites inheritance. I just can’t remember them. Something to come back to later. The priesthood of every believer. A royal priesthood. What is our inheritence.

(Joshua 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.

There’s Sihon again, and now his dukes.

(Joshua 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.

There we are already.

The Inheritance of the Levites

 

Chapter 14

(Joshua 14:13)  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

There’s old Caleb. Hadn’t heard much of him. I want my mountain! Where is Hebron. I wonder if him and Joshua were buddies.

Chapter 15

(Joshua 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 chapter is dedicated to the tribe of Judah and his borders. This would be a real cool school project: tracing the borders of each tribe, and researching if this is still recognized by Orthodox Jews in the homeland. Or if there is any dedicated study or institute on these matters.

(Joshua 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.

Ay yi yi. Go away! Why couldn’t they drive them out?