Joshua 22

Observation:

• Read Numbers 32:1-33 and note whom Moses is talking to and what promises are made.
• Read Joshua 22 and mark references to: Joshua, Lord, Moses, commandment/commanded, altar, witness, acted unfaithfully/unfaithful act, turn away from following the Lord, tabernacle, rest

In your journal write down the following things (making sure your note who and why)

• Record the case the nine and a half tribes west of the Jordan have against the two and a half that built an altar. 
• List what you learn about the two and a half tribes plans for the altar. 

Interpretation:
Consider what each group thought and what they intended to do about it. Was either side wrong in the action they wanted to take if their understanding was correct? Read Deuteronomy 13:12-16 for additional understanding to the situation.

Compare what happened in Joshua 22 with 1 Corinthians 5:1-2. What is happening in the Corinthian church and how is it dealt with?

Application:
How does Joshua 22 speak to you? Write down your thoughts in your journal. 

Joshua 21

This week we are going to look at the cities given to the Levites to live in. 

Observation:

• Read Joshua 21 and mark each of the sons of Levi in a different color: Sons of Kohath/Kohathites, Sons of Gershon/Gershonites, Sons of Merari/ Merarites, Sons of Araron.
• Also mark these words: The Lord/God, Joshua, commanded, sworn/promises.
• Get out your map of the Levites from last week and color code the cities given to the Levites as you color coded each son of Levi in the text. (If you missed last week the map is here)

Answer the following questions in your journal about the text:

• What do the sons of Levi ask for? Why?
• How many cities are given to the Sons of Levi? How are they situated on the map? 
• What do you learn about God at the end of this chapter? Make a list of everything you learn.

Interpretation:
Look up the following verses and write down what you learn about the role of the Levites:

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

Thinking about the role of the Levites and their location throughout the land what would it mean to the people of the land to have the Levites around them? 

If the Levites did what they were supposed to do how would this impact the life and culture of the people?

Application:
What is the role of the church in the community? Do you see any parallels between the Levites in their designated cities and the local churches? 

What role does our church have in impacting our community? 

What about you personally? Are you impacting the people and the community around you? 

Joshua 20

Observation:

• Read Joshua 20 and mark the following words: Lord, Joshua, cities of refuge, avenger of blood, the manslayer
• Look at the map below. Locate the cities of refuge and color or mark them
• In your journal list what you learn from marking the avenger of blood and the man slayer (you will have two different lists here).

Interpretation:
Read the following passages and write down what insight they give you into what murder does and how God wants it dealt with:

• Deuteronomy 19:1-13
• Numbers 35:9-34

Answer the following questions in your journal:

• Were these cities just for the Israelites?
• Can you see the importance of these cities of refuge and the significance of their location?
• Have you seen anything that would help you better understand the importance of dealing with murderers?

Application:
How can you apply what you learned this week? 

Joshua 18-19

Observation:

• Read Joshua 18-19 and mark the following words: Shiloh, Joshua, Moses, Lord, lot, Benjamin, Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Dan
• In your journal write down everything you learn about Shiloh in chapter 18.
• What do you see about Dan in chapter 19? Write down in your journal what you learn. 

Interpretation:
We saw some very interesting things about Shiloh in chapter 18. Look up the following verses and write down what else you learn about Shiloh:

• Deuteronomy 12:1-14
• 1 Sam 1:1-3
• Psalm 78:54-61

What did we see about the sons of Dan in chapter 19? After all that we have studied so far regarding possession of the land why is what we see about the sons of Dan so important? 

Application: 
What did you learn about God this week? What did you learn about His house (from what you learned about Shiloh?)? What did you learn about Dan's obedience? 

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?