The Distribution of Divine Inheritance: Joshua’s Direction and Benjamin's Blessings

Joshua's steadfast obedience to God's instructions and his leadership serve as a beacon for the Israelites as they navigate the complexities of claiming their inheritance. This chapter paints a clear picture of God’s faithfulness and challenges us to exercise faith, assert our 'divine inheritance,' and strive toward the promises of God, as the tribe of Benjamin did.

The Assembling and Planning (Verses 1-2)

The chapter opens with the whole congregation of Israel assembling at Shiloh and setting up the Tent of Meeting. Despite the land being subdued before them, there were still seven tribes that had not yet received their inheritance.

Joshua's Leadership and Instructions (Verses 3-8)

Joshua, demonstrating his leadership, pushes the Israelites to claim the land promised to them by God. He instructs each tribe to appoint three men to survey the land and map it out for distribution. Joshua reiterates that the Levites would not receive land as their inheritance was the priesthood, and that some tribes had already received their inheritance east of the Jordan.

Land Survey and Distribution (Verses 9-15)

The men selected went out, surveyed the land, and returned to Joshua with their findings. Joshua, casting lots in the presence of God, distributed the land to the seven tribes according to their divisions.

Benjamin's Inheritance (Verses 16-End)

The first lot fell to the tribe of Benjamin. The text provides a detailed account of the boundaries of their territory, lying between the tribes of Judah and Joseph. The cities within the clan of the tribe of Benjamin are listed.

In this biblical chapter, the Israelites assemble in Shiloh under the leadership of Joshua, setting up the Tent of Meeting, and strategizing on the distribution of the remaining lands among the seven tribes that have not yet received their inheritance.

1. Leadership
2. Obedience to God's will
3. Division of land
4. The role of the priesthood
5. Faith and action1. Land allocation among the tribes
2. The process of surveying the land
3. The power and responsibility of priesthood
4. The inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin1. Joshua
2. The Israelites
3. The Levites
4. The Tribe of Benjamin
5. The Tribe of Judah
6. The House of Joseph
7. Gad, Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh1. Shiloh
2. The Tent of Meeting
3. Jordan
4. Jericho
5. Bethel
6. Kiriath-baal (Kiriath-jearim)
7. Beth-hoglah
8. Jerusalem
9. Other towns within the tribe of Benjamin’s inheritance

1. How does Joshua's leadership in this chapter reflect his obedience to God's commands?

2. Discuss the significance of the phrase "how long will you put off entering and possessing the land..." What lessons can we learn from this in taking initiative and responsibility in our own lives?

3. Why do you think the Levites' inheritance was the priesthood and not a portion of the land?

4. How does the task of mapping out the land embody faith in action?

5. What can we learn from the meticulous planning and execution of the land distribution?

6. Why do you think the tribe of Benjamin's inheritance was detailed so extensively? What does this say about God’s precision and attention to detail?

7. How can the mapping and division of land be seen as an act of trust in God’s providence?

8. What do you think the tribes might have felt during this process of waiting for their inheritance? Can you relate this to a situation in your own life?

9. In our modern world, how can we apply the principle of casting lots to make decisions? Is there a place for such practices in today's Christian life?

10. Discuss the significance of the Tent of Meeting being set up in Shiloh. What does this say about the importance of communal worship and decision making?

11. Consider the role of the tribes who had already received their inheritance. How can we apply this to the concept of privilege in our society today?

12. How does Joshua’s questioning of the Israelites' delay to possess the land speak to us about taking hold of God's promises in our lives?

13. How does the process of land division, a seemingly secular task, become a spiritual one in this context?

14. How does the inheritance of the Levites, focusing on a spiritual role rather than a material possession, challenge our values and priorities today?

15. How might the individual tribes have felt about the fairness of the allocation process?

16. What can we learn about patience and God’s timing from the tribes waiting for their inheritance?

17. How can the unity and order displayed in this allocation process inform our actions in our own communities and churches?

18. What is the significance of land and place in this chapter, and how does this speak to our own attachment to physical spaces in our lives?

19. How can we understand the concept of inheritance in a spiritual sense, in light of this passage?

20. What does this chapter teach us about stewardship, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives?