This week, we will continue in the book of Joshua, chapters 17-21. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.


Discussion Questions:

• What is the significance of Zelophehad’s daughter’s receiving an inheritance? (Josh. 173-4) Numbers 27:1-11 will help to answer this.

• How was the land allocated to the remaining seven tribes? (Josh. 18:1-10) Especially, what is meant by casting lots before the Lord? (Josh 18:6, 8, 10)

• How might the tribe of Simeon have been impacted by receiving land contained within the land allocated to Judah? (Josh. 19:1-9)

• What was the purpose of the cities of refuge? (Josh. 20:9)

• The Levites did receive some cities to live in, along with surrounding pastureland for their flocks. But why were they scattered throughout the other tribes? (Josh. 21:41) Note that the reason for this is not stated in Joshua.


Some Answers to Last Week's 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. – It could be that it was intended to exalt Joshua and his leadership. He had led Israel in the defeat of 31 kings. Of course, God enabled it. But He used Joshua to do it.

• What was the inheritance given to the tribe of Levi? (Josh. 13:14, 33) – The offerings by fire were given to them. Burnt offerings were consumed entirely. But the priests and Levites received a portion of the other sacrifices for themselves. They also received a tithe of the harvest. This was given as reimbursement for their service at the Tabernacle and as teachers of the Law and judges.

• What was Caleb’s request? And what is amazing about it? (Josh. 14:10-12) – He wanted Hebron, the city of giants. As an old man, he wanted what may have been one of the toughest cities to conquer. He was unafraid.

• 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. – Joshua may have defeated the king in open battle, but never took the city itself.

• 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) – Likely because they did not trust God to use them in defeating their enemies. They looked at how hard the task was and saw themselves as inadequate.


Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and for providing what I need. Help me trust Your direction, even when I don’t fully understand how You are working. Give me courage to follow You, wisdom to make choices that honor You, and a heart that cares for others. Remind me that You keep Your promises, and teach me to trust You with every part of my life. 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