ESV Chronological Plan, Day 79 | Joshua 20-21, 1 Chronicles 6

LOOK | WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Read Joshua 20:1-21:45 and 1 Chronicles 6:16-81

THINK | WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

(A) God's law ended the right of the avenger of blood in Joshua 20. From  the words of Richard Pratt, "Assyrian documents confirm what was a widespread practice in Joshua’s day, as it is in a number of cultures even today. In cultures outside of Israel, a close relative had the right to seek payment from or even the death of anyone who killed a member of his clan or tribe, even if the act was accidental. In Israel this was not to be the case. The manslayer was to flee to a city of refuge and to explain his situation to the elders. The elders were to give him protection until he was exonerated and after a period of waiting until the current high priest died. Thus, revenge killings were to be eliminated from Israel 'throughout your generations' (Num 35:29)."

(B) Teaching posts for the Levites in Joshua 21. Also  from the words of Richard Pratt, "In this chapter, our author points to another kind of service the Levites provided. They had responsibilities for teaching and applying the Law of Moses to daily life among all the tribes of Israel (see Lev 10:11; Deut 33:10; 2Chr 15:3; 17:7–9; 35:3; Ezra 7:10; Neh 8:7–9; Ezek 44:23–24; Mal 2:6–9). These services required Levites to be scattered throughout the nation so they could have easy access to all the tribes. On the plains of Moab, Moses had given specific instructions for the tribe of Levi to be granted these cities throughout Cisjordan and Transjordan (see 20:1; Num 35:1–8). For this reason, 'the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites' (21:1) approached the divinely authorized leaders of Israel, 'Eleazar the priest . . . Joshua . . . and . . . the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes' (21:1). They asked for 'cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for [their] livestock' (21:3). The Levites not only needed places to live among the tribes, but they also needed 'pasturelands.' Pasturelands were so important that our author mentions them fifty-eight times in this chapter. In fact, Moses gave specific instructions about their size (see Num 35:1–8). Once the other tribes had been allotted their lands, if they were to be faithful to the Lord, the Levites had to be granted these cities."

RESPOND | WHAT IS OUR PART?

How can we respond in our worship, attitude, and actions? In our actions we can apply these things to our own lives. Both of the items above seem to have something to do with the goodness of God's instructions, and the importance of hearing and learning them. So there is a lot that we can do to learn God's Word for ourselves. There are important Study Bible tools that we can make use of. My favourite (now out of print, but you can still find copies) is the NIV Archaeological Study Bible. I also like the ESV Gospel Transformation Study Bible, the Life Application Study Bible, and the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. If you are unsure about having all kinds of notes cluttering the bottom of your Bible's pages and distracting you, and you just want to focus on God's Word interpreting itself, I also like The ESV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible which includes a set of chain references next to the words of Scripture so that you can follow the references on throughout the whole of the Bible. You can also join a small group Bible study where you can ask questions and offer your own thoughts as you learn the Bible together with others. You can find good teaching that will show you the riches of God's Word, and take notes during the teaching of things that might stick out to you.

PRAY | HOW DOES THIS LEAD US TO CONNECT WITH GOD?

Here is a suggested prayer prompt: "God, help me to know you through your Word. Show me the way that you made me to best connect with it, whether through study or through some other creative way. But however you have made me to connect with it, draw me close to you through the power of your testimonies."