This week, we will finish the book of Joshua, chapters 22-24. After finishing Joshua, we will take a few days off before beginning the book of Judges in October. This will be a good time to either catch up or jump back in. Don’t forget to check out the Rooted Facebook page for a bit more discussion on each chapter.


Discussion Questions:

• Why did the western tribes object to the altar that the eastern tribes built when they returned home? (Josh 22:10-12)

• Why were the tribes of Israel ultimately unable to destroy all of the peoples who preceded them in Canaan? (Josh. 23:9-13)

• What is the significance of the three burials at the end of Joshua? (Josh. 24:29-33)



Some Answers to Last Week's Questions:

• What is the significance of Zelophehad’s daughters receiving an inheritance? (Josh. 17:3-4) Numbers 27:1-11 will help to answer this. – It established a legal precedent that guaranteed land inheritance stayed within a family.

• 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) – The remaining land was surveyed and then divided between the tribes according to the casting of lots. This was probably done with the aid of the Urim and Thummim (Exod. 28:30). Doing it this way removed any claims of human bias. God determined which tribe got which land.

• How might the tribe of Simeon have been impacted by receiving land contained within the land allocated to Judah? (Josh. 19:1-9) – Simeon could well have been absorbed into the tribe of Judah.This is likely in view of the division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death. It would have been challenging for the southernmost tribe to be a part of the northern kingdom without wholesale migration.

• What was the purpose of the cities of refuge? (Josh. 20:9) – To provide for the protection of those who had accidentally killed another person. They would be protected from a vengeful family member.

• 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. – The Levites would have the most familiarity with the Torah and thus be able to teach the other tribes. Scattering them throughout the land ensured that instruction in the Torah was close at hand for everyone.



Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me remember Your faithfulness and remain faithful to You. Guard my heart from anything that would slowly pull me away from You, and give me wisdom to seek understanding before making judgments about others. Like Joshua, help me choose each day whom I will serve. May my life reflect a wholehearted commitment to You, trusting that You will be faithful wherever You lead me. 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