Bible Study Questions

Joshua 21:1–45

Paul J. Bucknell

  1. By  looking at Joshua 21:1, who would you say this chapter is about? What is it that they wanted?
  2. What is the inheritance that they requested (v. 2)?
  3. Who got the first (better) lot?  Look at at Numbers 25:6-13 and relate why this is so.
  4. How many cities did each of Levi’s sons and their descendants receive? (The Kohathites had two groupings).
  5. Why is it that the Levites belonged to God in a different way than the other Israelites (Numbers 3:12-13, 45)?
  6. Why are Christians called priests today? Is there some special comparison with these Levitical priests that we are to make?  Study Revelations 1:5-6; Galatians 3:13; and Titus 2:14. What special calling does the Christian have? How should he respond to this calling?
  7. What starts happening in Joshua 21:8?
  8. Look at verses 41-42. What can you tell about these Levitical cities?
  9. Read verses 13, 20, 27, 34. What do each of these verses begin to describe?
  10. Read through this section quickly and spot all the names of the tribes you know. What do you notice about the positioning of these cities? (Also refer to the map of the Levitical cities in the articles).
  11. Read Matthew 5:13-16. What are the two things the Lord wants for His people in the world? How does that compare to the way He distributed the Levites throughout the land? Explain.
  12. What does God want for His people in this world? Should we live together in communes? Why or why not?
  13. How are God’s promises described in 21:45? What significance does that have on us as Christians?
  14. (Advanced question) Who are your ‘enemies?’  How are we to face these enemies?
  15. How does our understanding of our calling help us be better committed in our service?
  16. The Levites could not inherit property like the others. Christians also need to realize that the importance of the mission calls them to make needed sacrifices on earth so they can properly serve God. What are some sacrifices Christians are called to make?
  17. What does it mean to Christians that “the Lord is their inheritance” (Numbers 3:45)?  Refer to Ephesians 1:3-4.
  18. What earthly thing have you valued that caused you to serve the Lord not as faithfully as you could have? Discuss.