Joshua 21

God Provides Spiritual Heath

Text: Joshua 21

Introduction

God in His omniscience knew that the people he was shaping for Himself would need places of justice and compassion. We learned that in chapter twenty. In chapter twenty-one, God is now setting up a community of Levitical cities (portions of land from the other 9.5 tribes) that would become a network of spiritual health, teaching, and activity on their behalf.

Remember back when the Levites were promised enough land to dwell and tend to their cattle.

It has come time for that to be fulfilled. They approach Eleazar (the priest), Joshua, and the leadership of each tribe to request their dwelling.

So, the first thing we see in God’s design of providing spiritual health for His people is…

1) God Would Use People

Verses 1-7

A. God would use the tribe of Levi to establish spiritual cities in the new land

a) What kind of requirements did the tribe of Levi have?

He was not a particularly honorable character, so it was not because of his Godliness that the tribe bearing his name became the priestly clan. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 215.

Apparently, sometime during the Egyptian captivity, the Levites made a transition from that of tribal status to that of religious guild. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 215.

b) Isn’t it wonderful how God can take a strength used for former idolatry and use it for righteousness!

APP — God works like that. He creates you new on the inside and repurposes your gifts/talents on the outside.

Just like how the Israelites had freedom to use the land in the way God had it set up, you to have the freedom to surrender to God’s methods, plans, and purposes to grow you on the inside and reshape you on the outside.

Sadly, we too make the lesser choice like that of some of their future kings, to step back into old patterns and practices.

B. God would create three branches from the sons of Levi

a) God selected Kohath — Most distinguished / responsible for the ark / carried it and guarded it in the wilderness / Moses and Aaron.

b) God selected Gershon — The Gershonites were in charge of the tabernacle, cords, curtains, and coverings.

c) God selected Merari — They were in charge of the boards, bars, pillars, pins, and all the vessels used in tabernacle worship.

d) It was very important that the priesthood of God not be consolidated to the area of Shiloh.

Since they had no ties to any portion of land or property line (Joshua 18:7 “7 But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the Lord is their inheritance: and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them.”) God placed them where it best served His people.

e) There would be considered the preachers, inspired teachers, theologians, and counselors of their day.

2. God’s people valued God’s spiritual plan

Verse 8-10

A. Notice the cooperation of the people to give them portions of their land.

This alerts us to the importance of provision being made for spiritual leadership. Through the centuries, God has set certain persons aside for full-time ministry. And God has instructed His people to make provision for those who are called to full-time work for Him. Jr. Huffman John A. and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Joshua, vol. 6, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1986), 217.

3. God’s purpose was to repurpose the land with truth

Verses 43-45

A. The land went through a complete spiritual over-hall.

Q — What kind of spiritual direction was established by those whom the children of Israel removed?

Idolatry, temples in high places, pagan altars and shrines.

There is no place for such dead spirituality in this new life in this new land.

APP — This should make us think about the new life we enter the moment we receive Jesus as Savior!

Ephesians 2:3–10 “3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Ephesians 4:22–24 “22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

B. God has made provision for your spiritual growth

a) He has provided us with His Word

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Psalm 119:105 “105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.”

Psalm 119:11 “11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.”

b) He has provided us with His Spirit

John 14:16 “16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”

c) He has provided us with His church

Matthew 16:18 “18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Acts 20:28 “28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Conclusion

Point 1 — God uses His imperfect children with a tarnished past to do a holy work in this world. This could be done in the home, work school, community groups, etc.

Point 2 — God people showed their appreciation for God’s spiritual provision by their own sacrifice.

Point 3 — What are you neglecting in your Christian life that God intended for you to embrace to grow you in His truth? What are you incorporating in your life that would hinder your walk with Him?