Joshua

Joshua 13: God gives land and Himself

Begin in prayer

Before we hear about Israel's land and the LORD as Levi's inheritance, let us ask God to help us love Him. Please pray that our family will see Christ and seek more than the things we own.

Yahweh said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.

Numbers 18:20

God of Israel, please help us understand the land You gave Your people. Open our eyes to see Jesus and the joy of knowing You through Him. Teach us to love You more than the things we own. Please make us more like Christ and bless our family today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Joshua is old, and the LORD says much land remains to be possessed. He commands Joshua to divide the land and promises to drive out its inhabitants before Israel. The chapter lists the eastern inheritances of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Israel has not driven out the Geshurites or the Maacathites. Moses gives Levi no land inheritance, and the LORD, the God of Israel, is their inheritance.

As you read Joshua 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives Israel land, and He Himself is Levi's inheritance.

Joshua was old, and the LORD told him that much land remained to be possessed (verse 1). The LORD said He would drive out the peoples who were left. Joshua was to divide the land among nine tribes and half of Manasseh (verses 6 and 7). Moses had already given Reuben, Gad and the other half of Manasseh their land east of the Jordan (verses 8 and 32). The tribe of Levi was different, because Moses gave them no share of land (verses 14 and 33). The LORD's offerings were their inheritance, and so was the LORD Himself, as He had spoken (verses 14 and 33). He had told Aaron that He was his portion and inheritance (Numbers 18 verse 20). Levi's men lived in cities among the tribes (Joshua 14 verse 4). So the tribe with no land had the LORD Himself (verse 33).

How does Joshua 13 show us that God gives Israel land, and He Himself is Levi's inheritance?

God commands the land to be divided.

Joshua was old, and the LORD told him that much land remained (verse 1). The LORD said He would drive out the peoples who were left (verse 6). Joshua was to divide the land among the nine tribes and the half-tribe of Manasseh (verse 7). Moses had already given land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad and the other half of Manasseh (verse 8).

The LORD Himself is Levi's inheritance.

Moses gave no land to the tribe of Levi (verse 33). The LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance, as He had spoken (verse 33). He had told Aaron that He was his portion and inheritance (Numbers 18 verse 20). Peter wrote that Christ's people have an inheritance in heaven that does not fade (1 Peter 1 verses 3 and 4).

Memorise

Moses gave no inheritance to the tribe of Levi. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is their inheritance, as he spoke to them.

Joshua 13:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, why do I love my things more than God and need Jesus to change me?

Moses gave the tribe of Levi no land, because the LORD, the God of Israel, was their inheritance. Peter wrote that those who trust Jesus Christ have an inheritance in heaven that does not fade (1 Peter 1 verses 3 and 4).

No sinner has a right to that inheritance, because sin cuts us off from God. Jesus died on the cross for His people and bore the punishment of their sin. The whole debt is paid, and they can be brought to God. God raised Him from the dead.

Houses and fields pass away, and the LORD Himself is the best gift. Please turn from your sin and come to Jesus. All who trust Him have forgiveness and a share in what lasts.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gave Israel land, and that He Himself was the inheritance of Levi. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His gifts and for the joy of knowing Him through Jesus. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one speak to God if they want to.

“Yahweh is my portion,” says my soul. “Therefore I will hope in him.”

Lamentations 3:24

Lord God, thank You for the land You gave Israel and for being Levi's inheritance. Please help each of us turn from sin and trust Jesus. Give us hearts that love You above our possessions. Help us this week to thank You for Your gifts and seek You through Your Son. Amen.