March 17
Joshua 22–24
Scripture Text: Joshua 22:1–24:33
Series: Read the Bible in a Year
The tribes of the east who had come to help the other tribes drive out the Canaanites, now return home to their inheritances. Joshua praises the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for their efforts to help the other tribes. To do otherwise would have been a breach of faith with God. As the great commandment says (Matthew 22:37–39), caring for their neighboring tribes was close to loving and fearing the Lord himself. Having cared for their neighbor, Joshua now directs them back to God: “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5). Joshua then blesses the tribes and sends them to their own homes with the wealth of the Canaanites to share with their tribes.
Instructions are given several times for the people to continue being faithful to the Lord. They are warned not to turn back or to intermarry with the Canaanites who remained in the land. This is the purpose behind driving out the Canaanites completely. The Lord knew the people would be tempted after idols if the Canaanites remained in the land. Israel ran the risk (nay, the certainty) of being seduced by manmade gods — because of the religious promises that are attractive to men — and turning their back on the Lord.
How does a nation keep its eyes on the one true God but by remembering who he is and how he has been a blessing to the people. Thus, Joshua reminds them that it was the Lord who fought for them, driving out the nations whom Israel pursued. They are urged to keep The Book of the Law of Moses and cling to the Lord. Further, knowing he is about to die, Joshua reminds them of all that has transpired under his leadership, as well as the leadership of Moses and Aaron. It was the Lord who brought them out of bondage in Egypt and gave them a homeland. Finally, Joshua urges them serve the Lord as he and his family would (Joshua 24:15). They agree and erect a large stone monument as witness to the pact.
Joshua dies and is buried in the hill country Ephraim. He is the first major leader of the people to be buried in the promised land.
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Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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