Joshua 15-17

Observation:

• Read Joshua 15-17 and mark the following words: Joshua, Judah, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Canaanites, Lord, Moses, possession, inheritance, drive out
• List what you learn from marking the Canaanites in Joshua 16 & 17

Answer the following questions and write the answers in your journal:

• What do you learn about the daughters of Zelophehad in Chapter 17?
• What do you think is the most important phrase you marked once in 16 and once in 17? Why?

Look at Joshua 17:14-18. 

• What is the complaint of the sons of Joseph? 
• What is their concern?
• What is Joshua's response and what do you think about it?
• Do you see any contrast between Caleb's attitude and that of the son's of Joseph

Interpretation

• Which son of Joseph's inheritance is described first? Look at Genesis 48:17-20 and ask yourself if there is a possible connection in the order.
• The Canaanites are listed two other places in Joshua (5:1 and 7:9). Look up these references, mark them, and write what what you learn about the Canaanites from these verses.
• What lesson do you think the Lord has for us in the key repeated phrase "but they did not drive them our completely"
• How do Joshua 16:10 and17:3 compare to Joshua 15:63?

Look up the following verses and note what they say and how they would pertain to the situation in 17:14-18:

• Deuteronomy 20:1-4
• Psalm 20:7
• Proverbs 21:28-31
• Psalm 21:28-31
• Psalm 60:11-12
• Psalm 78:9
• Psalm 105:5

Application: 
What has the Lord shown you this week? Write it down in your journal. 

Joshua 14

Observation:
Remember that with observation we are looking for what does the text say. We aren't telling it what it says, but investigating it to discover what is there in the text. We read with a purpose, mark the text and ask questions because it helps us see what is in the text itself.

• Read Joshua 14
• Read Joshua 14 and mark the following words: Joshua, Caleb, Moses, Lord (God), inheritance, command, follow the Lord fully.
• In your journal list everything that you learn about Caleb in Joshua 14.
• Now read Joshua 15:13-19 mark and list everything that you learn about Caleb in that passage. 

Interpretation: 
In interpretation we are asking ourselves what does the text mean. Remember that CONTEXT is ESSENTIAL in interpretation. Be careful to stay within the context of the chapter and the book of Joshua. In interpretation we will also look at what we can learn in other parts of the Bible about whatever we are studying (we call those cross references) and we look of Greek and Hebrew words (we call that a word study). In interpretation we are not seeking out someone else's interpretation (looking at outside sources), but are digging deeper to see what else the Bible has to say.

Using Blue Letter Bible look up the following words that are used to describe Caleb and write down what you learn about them: follow & fully

Look up the following verses and write down what you learn about Caleb:

• Numbers 13
• Numbers 14
• Judges 1:11-21
• Judges 3:1-11

Application:
Application is the final step we take during Bible Study. It's where we ask a very important question: How does what I have learned in the Bible change my belief or my behavior? In application we are looking for more than head knowledge we are looking for heart knowledge that is lived out in our every day lives.

What did you learn this week about following the Lord fully? Are you following the Lord fully? If not, what is preventing you from doing so? Write out your answers in your journal and take them to the Lord. 

Joshua 13

Observation:

• Read Joashua 13
• Read Joshua 13 and mark every reference to: Joshua, the land, The Lord, the sons of Israel, Moses, inheritance, command (or commanded), Levi
• Using your journal answer the following questions:
• Who is speaking to whom in Joshua 13?
• What commands are given?

• Go back through and read the chapter again, as it describes each tribe's inheritance write the name of their tribe in the margin.
• Look at the map below and see what each tribe still had to possess.

• Note what side of the Jordan is being referred to (It may help you to mark what side in the text)

• Which tribes are being dealt with first in Joshua 13 (List them in your journal)
• What do you learn about the tribe of Levi in this chapter?

Interpretation:
Compare Joshua 13:1-6 with Joshua 11:16-23. What insight are we given here in regards to taking the land? Remember that God's Word does not contradict itself so there must be a resolution.

Look up the following cross references and write down what you learn further about the tribe of Levi:

• Deuteronomy 18:1-8
• Deuteronomy 17:8-13
• Malachi 2:4-7

Application:
As you read this chapter you will notice that God mentions again people who have been defeated. As the people go in to possess the land that is their inheritance don't you think it was an encouragement to remember the past victories, deliverances or judgements by God? Is there a way you could apply this to your life when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged?