The tribe of Levi did not get a large part of land like the other tribes.  Back in Numbers 35, God told Moses that the Levites should have cities and land in each of the other tribes' land. The Levites' land should have cities with pastures (farm land) around the city for their animals and for growing things.

Joshua 21


Each tribe gives cities and land to the Levites.


The leaders of the Levite tribe came to Shiloh. They talked to Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the leaders of the other tribes.  They reminded them that God told Moses that the Levites would have cities to live in and farms for their cattle.
[1] Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
[2] And they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle.


The other tribes obeyed God. Each tribe gave land to the Levites.
[3] And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these cities and their suburbs.


(Levi had 3 sons--Kohath, Gershon, and Merari.  Kohath's children, grandchildren, and descendants were called the Kohathites.  Gershon's children, grandchildren, and descendants were called the Gershonites. Merari's children, grandchildren, and descendants were called the Merarites.)


They picked the land for the Levites by lot. The descendants of Aaron the priest (Moses' brother) were part of the Kohathites. Their part of the Kohathites would get 13 cities and the farmland around them from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin.  The other part of the Kohathites would get 10 cities and the farmland around them from the tribes of Ephraim, Dan, and the half of the Manasseh tribe on the west side of the Jordan River.
[4] And the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites: and the children of Aaron the priest, which were of the Levites, had by lot out of the tribe of Judah, and out of the tribe of Simeon, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, thirteen cities.
[5] And the rest of the children of Kohath had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Ephraim, and out of the tribe of Dan, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh, ten cities.


The Gershonites got 13 cities and the farmland around them from the tribes of Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and the  half of the Manasseh tribe on the east side of the Jordan River.
[6] And the children of Gershon had by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, and out of the tribe of Asher, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, and out of the half tribe of Manasseh in Bashan, thirteen cities.


The Merarites got 12 cities and the farmland around them from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
[7] The children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities.
 

God told Moses to give the Levites cities in the other tribes' lands. Now God showed which cities He wanted them to have.
[8] And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.


Aaron's part of the Kohathites got their cities and farmland first. These were their 9 cities in Judah's and Simeon's land:
Arba--an old name for Hebron.  The old name was from the father of the Anakims who lived there before the Israelites. It was located in the hill area of Judah.  The Kohathites got the city and the square of land around it, but the rest of the area belonged to Caleb. The Israelites gave this area to Caleb earlier. Hebron is also a special safe city for people who accidentally kill other people
Libnah
Jattir
Eshtemoa
Holon
Debir
Ain
Juttah
Beth-shemesh

[9] And they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon, these cities which are here mentioned by name,
[10] Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.
[11] And they gave them the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron, in the hill country of Judah, with the suburbs thereof round about it.
[12] But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, gave they to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for his possession.
[13] Thus they gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs,
[14] And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs,
[15] And Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs,
[16] And Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Beth-shemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes.


These were the 4 cities in Benjamin's land for Aaron's part of the Kohathites:

Gibeon
Geba
Anathoth
Almon

Aaron's part of the Kohathites got 13 cities in all.

[17] And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
[18] Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
[19] All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.


The rest of the Kohathites got land in Ephraim's, Dan's, and Manasseh's land. 

These are the cities from Ephraim's land:

Shechem--in the mountain area.  Shechem is also a special safe city for people who accidentally kill other people.
Gezer
Kibzaim
Beth-horon
[20] And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.
[21] For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,
[22] And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Beth-horon with her suburbs; four cities.


These are the 4 cities from Dan's land:

Eltekeh
Gibbethon
Aijalon
Gath-rimmon
[23] And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,
[24] Aijalon with her suburbs, Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; four cities.


These are the 2 cities from Manasseh's land:
Tanach
Gath-rimmon--this is a different city than Gath-rimmon that was in Dan's land.
[25] And out of the half tribe of Manasseh, Tanach with her suburbs, and Gath-rimmon with her suburbs; two cities.


There were 10 cities in all for the Kohathites who were not Aaron's descendants.
[26] All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.


These were the 2 cities for the Gershonites from the east side of the Manasseh tribe:
Golan--in the area of Bashan.  Bashan is also a special safe city for people who accidentally kill other people.
Beesh-terah
[27] And unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beesh-terah with her suburbs; two cities.


These were the 4 cities for the Gershonites from the tribe of Issachar:
Kishon
Dabareh
Jarmuth
En-gannim
[28] And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,
[29] Jarmuth with her suburbs, En-gannim with her suburbs; four cities.
[30] And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,
[31] Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.


These were the 3 cities for the Gershonites from the tribe of Naphtali:
Kedesh--in the area of Galilee.  Kedesh is also a special safe city for people who accidentally kill other people.
Hammoth-dor
Kartan
[32] And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammoth-dor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.


There were 13 cities in all for the Gershonites.
[33] All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

These were the 4 cities for the last of the Levites, the Merarites, from the tribe of Zebulun:
Jokneam
Kartah
Dimnah
Nahalal 
[34] And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,
[35] Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.
 

These were the 4 cities for the Merarites from the tribe of Reuben:
Bezer
Jahazah
Kedemoth
Mephaath
[36] And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,
[37] Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.


These were the 4 cities for the Merarites from the tribe of Gad:
Ramoth--in the area of Gilead. Ramoth is also a special safe city for people who accidentally kill other people.
Mahanaim
Heshbon
Jazer
[38] And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,
[39] Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.


The Merarites and their families got 12 cities in all.
[40] So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.


The total number of cities for the Levites was 48. The Levites got the 48 cities and the land around each city.
[41] All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs.
[42] These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.

 

The Israelites had everything that God promised their ancestors.


The Lord God gave Israel the land He promised to their ancestors.  They moved into the land of Canaan and lived there.
[43] And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.


The Israelites rested now. They were not traveling or fighting wars anymore. God promised the Israelites' ancestors they could live in Canaan in peace. If any other people tried to start a war with them, God helped the Israelites defeat them quickly.
[44] And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
 

God kept every promise that He made to the Israelites.
[45] There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.
 

Joshua 22


Joshua tells the eastern tribes that they can go back home.


Joshua called the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the Manasseh tribe. He told them that they have obeyed him and Moses. They have stayed with the other tribes and helped fight the wars in Canaan. They have obeyed God.
[1] Then Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh,
[2] And said unto them, Ye have kept all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you:
[3] Ye have not left your brethren these many days unto this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the LORD your God.


God is giving the Israelites rest now. The wars are finished. The 3 tribes can go back to their homes on the other side of the Jordan River. They can live in the land that Moses said they could have.
[4] And now the LORD your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return ye, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan.


Joshua warned them to always obey God's laws that Moses told them. They should always love God and do what He says. They should be faithful to God. They should serve Him with all of their hearts and souls.
[5] But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.



Joshua blessed the 3 tribes. He told them that they were now very rich. When they had the wars with the Canaanites, they took the Canaanites' things. Now the Israelites had many cattle and much silver, gold, brass, iron, and clothes. After they get to their homes on the east side of the Jordan River, they should share with everyone. Then they left and went back to their families on the other side of the river. Half of the Manasseh tribe stayed on the west side of the Jordan River, and the other half left. They will live on the east side of the Jordan River in the area named Bashan.
[6] So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents.
[7] Now to the one half of the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given possession in Bashan: but unto the other half thereof gave Joshua among their brethren on this side Jordan westward. And when Joshua sent them away also unto their tents, then he blessed them,
[8] And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.

 

The eastern tribes build a new altar, and the western tribes are worried.


The 2½ tribes traveled east toward the area named Gilead.  Gilead is on the east side of the Jordan River. Before they crossed over the Jordan River, they decided to stop and build a big altar.
[9] And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
[10] And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.


The other Israelites heard about the big altar. The altar was at the same place where all of the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River when they moved into Canaan.
[11] And the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel.


The Israelites on the west side of the Jordan River were not happy about the new altar. They wanted to go and have a war with the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan River.
[12] And when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them.


Phinehas (the son of the priest, Eleazar) went to see the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan River.  Each of the other tribes sent a priest with Phinehas.  The priests were the chief priests (leaders) of all of the tribes.
[13] And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,
[14] And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.


The priests traveled to the east side of the Jordan River. They talked to the 2½ tribes there. They asked them why they built an altar there (God's altar was in Shiloh. That was the place where all of the Israelites were supposed to take their sacrifices. The priests and the other Israelites on the west side of the river were worried that the 2½ tribes would take their sacrifices to the new altar. This would not obey God).
[15] And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spake with them, saying,
[16] Thus saith the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the LORD?
 

Phinehas reminded the east side Israelites about what happened in the past about Peor (another name for the false god Baal-peor). Many Israelites died after the men sinned then.  Phinehas said the Israelites continue to suffer from what happened then.
[17] Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,


Phinehas asked the men why they are sinning now. Phinehas said that if they sin now, all of the Israelites on both sides of the river will be punished.
[18] But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.



Phinehas said that if the land on the east side of the Jordan River wasn't clean, the eastern tribes could move to the west side of the river. God's tabernacle is on the west side of the river. They can have land on the west side. Phinehas told them that they should not build another altar. God already picked the place for His altar (at Shiloh)
[19] Notwithstanding, if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass ye over unto the land of the possession
of the LORD, wherein the LORD's tabernacle dwelleth, and take possession among us: but rebel not against the LORD, nor rebel against us, in building you an altar beside the altar of the LORD our God.
 

Phinehas reminded them about Achan's sin during the war with Jericho. God punished all of the Israelites. Achan died because he sinned, but a lot of other Israelites died in the next war, too.
[20] Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and ½ of Manasseh answered the leaders.
[21] Then the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh answered, and said unto the heads of the thousands of Israel,

The eastern Israelites said that God is the most powerful god. God knows why they built the new altar.
[22] The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)

God knows if they built the new altar for a good reason or a bad reason.  A bad reason would be if the eastern Israelites built the new altar for sacrifices. That would be bad because God's special place is now in Shiloh. God wants only one special place. If they built the altar for this bad reason, they should be killed.
[23] That we have built us an altar to turn from following the LORD, or if to offer thereon burnt offering or meat offering, or if to offer peace offerings thereon, let the LORD himself require it;


A good reason would be if they built the new altar as a reminder.  In the future, the Israelites on the western side of the river might forget them. They might forget that there are also Israelites on the eastern side of the river. The future western Israelites might say that God made the Jordan River as a border. They might not let the future eastern Israelites worship God.
[24] And if we have not rather done it for fear of this thing, saying, In time to come your children might speak unto our children, saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel?
[25] For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD.

That is why they decided to build the new altar. The new altar is not for sacrifices or burnt offerings. The new altar is for a reminder.  The future Israelites will remember that the people on the east side of the Jordan River are Israelites, too. Then they will let the eastern Israelites bring their offerings and sacrifices to Shiloh.
[26] Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice:
[27] But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.


In the future, the eastern Israelites can show the western Israelites the altar.  The altar is not for offerings.  The altar is for a reminder.
[28] Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.


They said they would never turn away from God. They would not build an altar for offerings in the wrong place. God's only altar is in Shiloh.
[29] God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle.


Phinehas and the other leaders listened to the eastern Israelites. Now they were happy. Phinehas said that God is with all of the Israelites. The eastern Israelites have not sinned. Now, none of the Israelites will be punished.
[30] And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
[31] And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because ye have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now ye have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.
 

Phinehas and the other leaders left the eastern Israelites' area (Gilead) and went home to Canaan. They told the western Israelites what the eastern Israelites said. The western Israelites were happy. They praised God. They would not have a war with the eastern Israelites.
[32] And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.
[33] And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.


The eastern Israelites named their altar. They named it "Ed".  "Ed" means "witness". The altar was a witness to show that the eastern and western Israelites all worship the same Lord God.  
[34] And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
 

Joshua 23


Joshua meets with the leaders of the Israelites and warns them about the future.

Many years passed.  Israel rested.  There were no more wars. Joshua became very old.
[1] And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.


Joshua called the leaders of the Israelites--the leaders of each tribe, the judges, and the army officers--to come to see him.  Joshua told them that he was old. He reminded them that they had seen God help the Israelites for many years.  God helped them defeat the other people in Canaan.
[2] And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
[3] And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.


The Israelites have already taken all of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. But there are still some other people left in Canaan. God will make them leave.  The Israelites will have all of the land.  Each tribe will have the land that Joshua gave it by lot.
[4] Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
[5] And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.

Joshua reminded the Israelites to be brave.  They should continue to obey God's laws. They should do exactly what Moses told them to do. 
[6] Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;


They should not be friends with the other people in Canaan. They should not say the names of the Canaanite gods. They should not make promises and use the names of the Canaanite gods. They should not serve the Canaanite gods. They should not bow to (bend down to) the Canaanite gods.  They should continue to worship only the Lord God.
[7] That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
[8] But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.


The Lord God made many strong groups of people leave Canaan. He made the Israelites stronger than the others. No other group of people has defeated Israel.  God helps any Israelite man be strong enough to chase 1,000 other men.  God promised to help the Israelites fight. God kept His promise.
[9] For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
[10] One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.


The Israelites should always be careful. They should always love God only.  If they start to make friends with the Canaanites or marry the Canaanites, then God will not help them anymore.  He will not help them in wars. He will not make the rest of the Canaanites leave Canaan.  The Canaanites will make trouble for the Israelites. The Canaanites will be the same as traps on the Israelites' feet. They will be the same as whips on their sides. They will be the same as thorns (sharp points from plants) in their eyes. The Israelites will be forced to leave Canaan.
[11] Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
[12] Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
[13] Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.


Joshua said that it is time for him to die. The Israelites should remember that God keeps His promises. God promised many things to the Israelites, and all of these things have happened.
[14] And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.


God keeps His promises. All of the good things that God promised have happened. But God can also make bad things happen if the Israelites don't obey Him.  God can destroy the Israelites.  
[15] Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.



If the Israelites do not keep their promise to God, God will be very angry.  If the Israelites start to worship other gods, God will be very angry. God will kill the Israelites so that they will not live in Canaan anymore.
[16] When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
 

Joshua 24


Joshua meets with all of the Israelites at Shechem to renew the covenant (continue their promise to worship God).


Joshua told all of the Israelites to come to Shechem.  Joshua asked the elders, the leaders of each tribe, the judges, and the army officers to come to the front. They were closer to God at the front.
[1] And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.

Abraham's family was from the area of Ur. This area is now the country of Iraq. God led Abraham into the land of Canaan. Later, Abraham's grandchildren moved to Egypt.  After many years, God has brought Abraham's descendants back to Canaan.

Joshua told the Israelites what God said. He talked about the Israelites' history and things that happened in the past.  God said that the Israelites' ancestors lived far away on the other side of the Euphrates River. The people there worshiped other gods. Abraham's father, Terah, and Abraham's brother, Nachor, lived there, too. Terah also worshiped other gods.
[2] And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.


God led Abraham to the land of Canaan. This is where Abraham's children were born. Abraham had Isaac, then Isaac had Jacob and Esau.  Esau and his children moved north to the area around Mt. Seir. Jacob and his family moved to Egypt.
[3] And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.
[4] And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.


God said that He sent Moses and Aaron. God sent the plagues (sickness, many frogs, many flies) to Egypt. Then God brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
[5] I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out.
 

God said that He brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and the Egyptians chased them. They arrived at the Red Sea.
[6] And I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and ye came unto the sea; and the Egyptians pursued after your fathers with chariots and horsemen unto the Red sea.


The Israelites prayed for God to help them. God put darkness between the Israelites and the Egyptians (God was showing the Israelites how to travel with the pillar of fire in front of them. Then God moved the pillar of fire behind them and turned it around so it was dark for the Egyptians). God made the Red Sea divide so the Israelites could walk across it. Then the Egyptians tried to follow them and walk across the Red Sea.  But God made the Red Sea cover up the Egyptians. The Israelites saw all of the miracles in Egypt. Then, the Israelites lived in the desert wilderness for a very long time.
[7] And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.


Before they moved into Canaan, God helped the Israelites travel in the land of the people called the Amorites. The Amorites lived on the east side of Jordan. The Israelites and the Amorites had a war. God gave the Amorites' land to the Israelites. God destroyed the Amorites.
[8] And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that ye might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you.


Balak (he was the king of Moab, and his father's name was Zippor) had a war with the Israelites.  Balak wanted Balaam, a man who could tell the future (Balaam's father's name was Beor), to curse the Israelites. But God would not listen to Balaam.  Balaam would not curse the Israelites, but he blessed them.  God rescued the Israelites from Balak. To read that part of the Bible again, please click here.
[9] Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
[10] But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still: so I delivered you out of his hand.
 

Then the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. They had a war with the men in the city of Jericho.  They also had wars with men from other groups of people:  the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. God helped the Israelites win all of the wars and defeat all of the people.
[11] And ye went over Jordan, and came unto Jericho: and the men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; and I delivered them into your hand.


The Israelites did not win the wars because they had swords, bows, and arrows. They won because God made the other people afraid, and they ran away. They ran away the same as the 2 Amorite kings who ran away.
[12] And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.


God said he gave the Israelites land that they didn't work for. He gave them cities that they didn't build. He gave them farms of grapes and olives that they didn't plant.
[13] And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.
 

The Israelites should honor and respect God now. They should always serve Him and be honest and faithful. When their ancestors lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, they worshiped false gods.  But the Israelites should not worship the false gods now. They should serve God and work for Him.
[14] Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.


The Israelites must decide and choose now. They must decide who they will serve. They can choose to worship God. Or they can choose to worship false gods the same as the false gods from over across the Euphrates River. In the past, the land that the Israelites live in now belonged to the Amorites.  The Israelites can choose to worship the Amorites' false gods.  But Joshua says that he and his family choose to serve the Lord God.
[15] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.


The Israelites answered Joshua. They said they will never serve other false gods. They will never leave the Lord God.
[16] And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;


They said that the Lord God brought them and their parents out of Egypt. He made them free so they were not slaves anymore. They saw the Lord God do great miracles. The Lord God protected them when they were traveling. God protected them from the other groups of people. 
[17] For the LORD our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:


God made all of the people in Canaan leave. The Amorites were one of the groups of people who lived in Canaan. The Israelites said that they will also serve the Lord. He is their God.
[18] And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.


Joshua told the Israelites that he wasn't sure that they could serve God well.  He said that God is holy and jealous. He will not forgive them when they do wrong things. God has done many good things for the Israelites. If they start to worship other gods, God will destroy them.
[19] And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
[20] If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.


The Israelites said they will serve God.
[21] And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD.


Joshua said they were witnesses to themselves. They heard themselves promise to serve God. The Israelites agreed that they are witnesses.  Joshua told them to get rid of any false gods they might have. They should only follow the Lord God.
[22] And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
[23] Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
 

The Israelites promised to serve the Lord God and obey His laws.
[24] And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.



Joshua made a covenant with the Israelites that day in Shechem. They all agreed to a promise. Joshua wrote their promise in the book of God's laws that was in the Ark of the Covenant (stone with the Ten Commandments). Then Joshua set up a big rock under an oak tree.
[25] So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
[26] And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.


Joshua told the Israelites that the big rock is their witness. The big rock heard them when they promised to be faithful to God and obey His laws.  If they turn away from God, the rock will be a witness.
[27] And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.


Then Joshua let all of the Israelites go back to their homes in their families' lands.
[28] So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.

 

Joshua dies.


Later, Joshua died.  Joshua's father's name was Nun.  Joshua served the Lord.  Joshua was 110 years old when he died.
[29] And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.


They buried Joshua on the border of his land in Timnath-serah.  Timnath-serah is north of Mt. Gaash in the mountains of Ephraim.
[30] And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash.


The Israelites served God during Joshua's life. They continued to serve God while the other elders lived. The other elders had seen all of the things that the Lord God had done for Israel.  
[31] And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
 

The Israelites bury Joseph's bones


When the Israelites left Egypt, they brought Joseph's bones with them. Now they buried the bones in Shechem.  This was the same land that Jacob bought a long time ago. Jacob bought the land from Hamor's sons. One of Hamor's sons was named Shechem, and he made the city.  Jacob paid 100 pieces of silver for the land. Now it is part of the tribe of Joseph's land.
[32] And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.
 

The death of Eleazar the priest.


Aaron's son, Eleazar, died. He was the priest. The Israelites buried Eleazar on land on Mt. Ephraim. The land  was a hill that belonged to Eleazar's son, Phinehas.
[33] And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.