Joshua 24:1-33
Q.1. According to Joshua, what made the nation unique? What point was he emphasising to the tribal leaders as he related Israel’s history? How did Israel defeat the enemy? – (Josh.24:1-13)
Joshua knew that he was nearing the end of his life and needed to pass on the instructions he wanted to leave for Israel. He called for the leaders of the twelve tribes, namely – the elders of Israel and for their heads and their judges and their officers; and they presented themselves before God (Josh.24:1). In his closing address, Joshua rehearsed the faith-journey of Abraham and his descendants, in their pursuit of God (Josh.24:2-2). He reminded the nation of God’s Covenant faithfulness, in rescuing them out of Egypt and bringing them to the Promised Land (Josh.24:5-7). He also recalled the miracles performed by God, in keeping them safe from the wrath of the Egyptians, and of their enemies in Canaan (Josh.24:8). Even Balaam was made to bless rather than curse the fledgling nation (Josh.24:9-10). God reminded the leaders – I gave you a land on which you had not laboured, and cities which you had not built, and you have lived in them; you are eating of vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant (Josh.24:13). Their blessing was undeserved, because even Abraham had worshiped other gods. Their triumph could only be explained in terms of God’s Covenant blessings (Josh.24:11-13).
Q.2. How did the leaders respond to Joshua’s challenge? How did Joshua seek a thoughtful heart response? What were the terms and the significance of the covenant? – (Josh.24:14-28)
It was incompatible with their history, for them to turn from the Lord to other gods. Joshua challenged them. They had the option to either serve the gods beyond the Jordan, Egypt, or the Amorite gods, or to serve their God of Israel. He added – … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Josh.24:15). The tribal leaders instantly agreed that since God had delivered them from Egypt and defeated the nations of the land, – … Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods … The Lord drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God (Josh.24:16 & 18). Joshua was aware that some had already turned to idols, so warned them that they would be consumed and not forgiven, should they stray from their holy God. (Josh.24:10-20 c.f. Josh.24:23). The leaders reiterated that they would serve the Lord (Josh.24:21). Their resolve was strong – … We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice (Josh.24:24). Only then – Joshua made a covenant with the people that day and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem (Josh.24:25). Joshua then formalized the covenant and – … wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of the Lord (Josh.24:26). This stone monument would be a witness to the renewal of the Covenant.
Q.3. How effective was the Covenant that Joshua made with the leaders? How old was Joshua when he died? Where were Joshua, Joseph, and Eleazar buried? – (Josh.24:29-33 c.f. Gen.33:18-20; 50:24-25)
Joshua passed on a wonderful legacy of faithfulness. He – Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua and had known all the deeds of the Lord which He had done for Israel (Josh.24:31). This underscores the importance of having a first-hand experience of the Lord. Both Joshua and Joseph lived to be one hundred and ten (Josh.24:29; Gen.50:22) Joshua was buried within the tribal lands that he inherited (Josh.24:29-30). The people also had taken great care to take the embalmed body of Joseph to be buried in the Promised Land as he had instructed. He was buried at Shechem, close to the border of the inheritance of his two sons, Ephraim, and Manasseh, on land purchased by Jacob (Josh.24:32 c.f. Gen.33:18-20). Joseph had had no doubt that Israel would finally settle in the Promised Land (Gen.50:24-25; Heb.11:22). Eleazar, the High Priest during much of Joshua’s time, was buried in Gibeah in the hill country of Ephraim (that extended into Benjamin’s territory), which had been given to the Phinehas (Josh.24:33 c.f. Num.25:10-13).