This week, we will continue in the book of Joshua, chapters 12-16. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.


Discussion Questions:

• Why might Joshua 12 give us a listing of all the kings defeated by Joshua and the army? There is no single right answer.

• What was the inheritance given to the tribe of Levi? (Josh. 13:14, 33)

• What was Caleb’s request? And what is amazing about it? (Josh. 14:10-12)

• Joshua 12:10 tells us that Joshua defeated the king of Jerusalem. Yet Joshua 15:63 says that Judah was unable to drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem. How might this be resolved? Note that there is no definitive answer to this.

• God had promised to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan (Josh. 3:10). So how come Ephraim was unable to drive the Canaanites out of their allocated territory? (Josh. 16:10)


Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:

• Why was Israel initially unable to defeat the small city of Ai? (Josh. 7:3-4, 10-12) – Because Achan had taken some of the plunder from Jericho for himself instead of giving it all to the Lord. And all Israel was held responsible for his sin.

• Why was Israel allowed to take plunder from Ai (Josh. 8:26-27) but not from Jericho? (6:17-19) This is not explicitly stated, so your answers may vary. – Among the cities of Canaan, only Jericho was utterly devoted to destruction, including everything contained in it. The people from the other cities were to be killed, but Israel could claim the plunder as their own.

• What was Israel’s failure in the incident with Gibeon? (Josh. 9:14-15) – They failed to inquire of the Lord and ended up being deceived.

• Did the earth actually stop rotating for a full day? Or is there another way to understand Joshua 10:12-14? – There are many poetic passages in the Bible that are expressing a truth in a non-literal fashion (See Psalm 18:6-19). And that is likely the case here as well.

• What was the key to Joshua’s success in leading the conquest of Canaan? (Josh. 11:15) – He was obedient to all that God had commanded Moses.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, as I continue to read the story of Joshua, remind me of Your faithfulness through every season of my life. Help me remember the battles You have already brought me through and the ways You have provided along the way. Give me the faith of Caleb - to keep trusting You even when the road is long and the challenge seems great. Show me where I have settled for less than what You desire for me, or where fear and hesitation have kept me from fully obeying You. Teach me to trust Your promises, seek You before I move, and faithfully follow wherever You lead. Amen.


Helpful Resources:


• Rooted Facebook Group for online sharing and further exploration 


• Bible Project Old Testament overview videos 

• Bible Gateway, a Bible app with many translations and some other free helps

• A Clay Jar Devotionals