This is the final chapter of the book of Joshua. In this chapter, Joshua reviews Israel’s journey from Abraham’s father to the day of this review to the people of Israel. Joshua encourages the people to serve the Lord, and soon afterward, he dies. The chapter begins, “Then Joshua summoned all the people of Israel to Shechem, along with their elders, leaders, judges, and officers. So they came and presented themselves to God.
Joshua said to the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River, and they worshiped other gods. But I took your ancestor Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him into the land of Canaan. I gave him many descendants through his son Isaac. To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the hill country of Seir, while Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.
Then I sent Moses and Aaron, and I brought terrible plagues on Egypt; and afterward I brought you out as a free people. But when your ancestors arrived at the Red Sea, the Egyptians chased after you with chariots and horses. When you cried out to the Lord, I put darkness between you and the Egyptians. I brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With your very own eyes you saw what I did. Then you lived in the wilderness for many years.
Finally, I brought you into the land of the Amorites on the east side of the Jordan. They fought against you, but I gave you victory over them, and you took possession of their land. Then Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, started a war against Israel. He asked Balaam son of Beor to curse you, but I would not listen to him. Instead, I made Balaam bless you, and so I rescued you from Balak.
When you crossed the Jordan River and came to Jericho, the men of Jericho fought against you. There were also many others who fought you, including the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I gave you victory over them. And I sent hornets ahead of you to drive out the two kings of the Amorites. It was not your swords or bows that brought you victory. I gave you land you had not worked for, and I gave you cities you did not build -- the cities in which you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them.
So honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:1-15)
The people responded, indicating that the Lord rescued them, preserved them, and fought for them, and they, too, will serve the Lord. “So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day at Shechem, committing them to a permanent and binding contract between themselves and the Lord. Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. As a reminder of their agreement, he took a huge stone and rolled it beneath the oak tree beside the Tabernacle of the Lord. Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.” (Joshua 24:24-27)
The chapter ends with Joshua dying at the age of 110, and the bones of Joseph (dug up and brought from Egypt) being buried at Shechem, a parcel of land in the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh bought by Joseph’s father, Jacob.
If you would like a better understanding of the family of Jacob, which makes up the 12 tribes of Israel, go to Genesis 37 and read to chapter 50. It is a great story of how Jacob’s son, Joseph, is betrayed by his brothers, and in spite of this, becomes a great leader who blesses his entire family--including his brothers--and, in turn, all the people of Israel. In the bible God is often referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob’s family must be extremely important to each of us and the people of Israel. Go to Genesis to understand why.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for blessing us with a faithful servant like Joshua to help us be strong and courageous, for we serve a mighty God and you will never fail us. The book of Joshua has taught us this. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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