Joshua 21-22; Psalm 56; 1 Corinthians 10

Joshua 21
1-45 Cities Allotted to the Levites

• Commanded by God through Moses that Levites would be given towns and pasture lands.
• Kohathites (Descendants of Aaron) - 13 towns - tribes of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin
• Remaining Kohathites - 10 towns - Ephraim, Dan, Half-tribe of Manasseh
• Gershonites - 13 towns - Asher, Naphtali, half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan
• Merarites - 12 towns - Reuben, Gad, Zebulun (No Issachar?)
  
• Towns include cities of refuge
• "Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to their ancestors that he would give them..."

Joshua 22
1-9 Eastern Tribes Return to Their Territory

• Joshua blesses the tribes and sends them back, telling them to be sure to keep God's laws
• He sends them back to the land of Gilead (see Joshua 12:2) with wealth and livestock, silver, gold, bronze, and iron, and much clothing -- the spoil of the land -- to divide with their families

10-34 Memorial Altar East of the Jordan

• Eastern tribes build a large altar, which offends the Western tribes so much they want to make war on them. The altar at the tabernacle is the only acceptable place of worship.
  
• They send Phinehas the priest and 10 chiefs, one from each tribe.
• Israelites to Eastern tribes: What is this treachery? Remember what God did at Peor (Numbers 25:1-9), and to Achan (Joshua 7)? He did not perish alone for his iniquity. Were they concerned about what the fallout might be for them?
  
• Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh: This is not an altar for worship, but for a reminder to our children and to you that we are also the children of God. The boundary between us might make you forget that we are a part of you.
• This satisfies the Western tribes, and they speak no more of making war with them.
• They call the altar "Witness."

Psalm 56 - A Miktam of David, when the Philistines seized him in Gath
Twice he says what is repeated in Hebrews 13:6
4 - "...in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me?"
11 "...in God I trust; I am not afraid. What can a mere mortal do to me?"

1 Corinthians 10
1-22 Warnings from Israel's History

• A warning: Our ancestors were chosen children of God - led by God, rescued by God, baptized into Moses, eating spiritual (miraculous) food and drinking spiritual (miraculous) water.
• Yet God allowed them to die in the wilderness because of their lack of faith.
• These are examples to us not to be idolaters or to indulge in sexual immorality, put Christ to the test, or complain.
• If you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall.
• Don't be afraid of being tested; God will not allow you to be tested beyond your strength -- he will give you a way of escape.
• This is the main point: Flee from the worship of idols. Have nothing to do with them, even if they mean nothing to you.
  
• When we partake of the Lord's supper, we share in the blood and body of Christ.
• Likewise, when we partake in pagan suppers, we share in their idol worship. You can't have it both ways -- Christ and paganism.

23 - 31 Do All to the Glory of God

• Seek to benefit others, not just to obey the law; seek to build up others, not just to take advantage of your own rights.
• You can eat anything, but if it is pointed out to you that what you are eating has been sacrificed to idols, have nothing to do with it -- for the sake of the one who is telling you.
• Again -- a continuation of all Paul is trying to get across -- Do everything for the glory of God, being careful not to offend either Jews or Gentiles or the church -- with the end that others may be saved.