SEMESTER 3
440 – Israel Possessing “The Land”
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY III LESSON # 40
ISRAEL POSSESSING “THE LAND”
Read Joshua 6:1
through 12:24. For the land division read Joshua 13:1 through 22:34.
INTRODUCTION:
1. In this title you should find much more than the conquering of the Canaanites and the acquisition of the land from one nation to another.
2. We have here commentary on and explanation of several Bible principles.
I. PRINCIPLES MANIFESTED IN THIS LESSON
1. The fulfillment of God’s material promise to Abraham. (Gen. 12:7)
2. The principle of private ownership, i.e. certain parcels to certain people, it was theirs.
3. The principle of divine ownership, over our ownership.
4. We own nothing finally, but are owners under God.
5. Thus, we may not dispose of “our property” as “we may wish,” but are bound by God’s instruction.
6. The principle here is, it belonged to Abraham’s seed, it could not be sold out of the family, but must remain the gift of God to the seed of Abraham.
II. THE MEANS OF ISRAEL’S ACQUISITION
1. This land was not only God’s promise to Abraham’s seed, it was God’s gift.
2. The battles won by Israel in acquiring the land, were not natural, but supernatural victories. (Josh. 6:2)
i. Where God blessed, they won without contest as at Jericho.
ii. Where God did not bless, they lost miserably as at Ai.
3. Thus, we should see that even the “sure covenants” of God, will not be fulfilled except in obedient human conduct.
4. This is not a denial of the certainty of those promises, but an assurance that God will incite the proper means.
III. FOREORDAINED DETAILS OF THIS LAND DIVISION
1. The promise of this possession was given to Abraham. (Gen. 13:14-17)
2. The detail of division was given through Jacob. (Gen. 49:3-28)
3. We require the progressive revelation of this matter to understand.
i. God’s promise to Abraham.
ii. God’s detail given through Jacob.
iii. God’s instruction of ownership, given through Moses.
iv. The actual giving of the land through Joshua.
4. But, looking at all of this, we should understand that the “title to this holy land” is God’s perpetual gift to Abraham’s physical offspring.
IV. DIVINE INSISTENCE UPON RETENTION OF LAND
1. The book of Ruth, i.e., the case of Boaz and the “nearer kinsman” shows God’s determination to keep this possession in the family as it was given here in Joshua.
2. The incident with Ahab and Naboth demonstrates the wrath of God upon those who violate this.
3. Let me not be a party to anyone who would rend “the land” from the Jew.