Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. Describe in as much detail as possible the initial boundaries of Israel’s land in Cisjordan and Transjordan. What land did God promise to Abraham’s descendants in Genesis 15:18-21? What was Israel called to do once they were settled in these lands?
2. List and briefly summarize the five main themes that appear in these chapters of the book of Joshua. Provide specific examples from Scripture of how each theme relates to the initial boundaries of Israel’s inheritance.
3. Which tribes received allotments in Transjordan? Which tribes received allotments in Cisjordan? What was the special inheritance of the tribe of Levi? Explain why the specific allotments were different for Judah, Ephraim and Manasseh.
4. How did the author of Joshua weave his five recurring themes into the record of Israel’s specific tribal allotments? Include at least one example for each theme.
5. Write a brief description of the events in Joshua’s day that nearly led to war between the tribes on either side of the Jordan river. How did the Transjordan and Cisjordan tribes remain united in the end?
6. In his narrative about Israel’s national unity, the author of Joshua highlighted the same five themes we’ve seen many times in his book. Give examples of how he related each theme to Israel’s national unity.
7. How did Christ begin to fulfill the promises of Israel’s tribal inheritances in the inauguration of his kingdom? What role does the Holy Spirit play in the fulfillment of these promises?
8. Explain three ways the record of Israel’s tribal inheritances applies to Christ’s followers during the continuation of his kingdom.
9. As the people of God, what inheritance do we hope to receive at the consummation of Christ’s kingdom? How do the five main themes in the record of Israel’s tribal inheritances apply to this hope?

Application Questions

Application questions are intended for group discussions.

1. Once the Israelites were settled in the Promised Land, they were to spread God’s blessings to all the nations of the world. Today, how do we spread God’s blessings to the whole world? How are you personally spreading God’s blessings from where you live?
2. In Joshua 24:13, God told Israel, “I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.” Does this seem unfair to you? Explain your answer.
3. Why was it so important that Israel rid the Promised Land of idolatrous people groups? What can we do to protect our families from idolatrous worldviews in the new covenant age?
4. Israel used the practice of casting lots to determine God’s will. How do we determine God’s will for our lives? Should we cast lots? Why or why not?
5. The Cisjordan tribes were ready to go to war against their fellow Israelites to defend God’s honor and commands. How might this be applied today? Should Christians today ever administer spiritual discipline? What would that look like?
6. What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is the “down-payment” or “guarantee” of our future inheritance? How might this guarantee strengthen your faith and confidence in your salvation?
7. How can Christ’s people pursue unity in this present age when believers are divided among many denominations and conflicting theologies? How do we maintain this unity without becoming tolerant of false teaching?
8. Do you think Old Testament Israel’s inheritance of physical land has any relevance for believers in the new covenant, or is it merely a symbolic lesson for us? What will we inherit? Will any of it be physical?
9. What is the most significant thing you learned in this lesson?