Daily reading assignment: Joshua 22-24
Joshua 22 – A Misunderstanding Led to a Threat of Civil War
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half of the tribe of Manasseh had requested of Moses to grant them the pasture lands on the east side of the Jordan River (Numbers 32; Deuteronomy 3:12-20).
Seven years had passed before the new land was at peace and the warriors of Israel were allowed to lay down their swords and shields. With Israel at rest and the lands assigned by tribe, the warriors of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh were discharged from their duties and allowed to return to their families and lands on the east side of the Jordan (22:1-9).
Joshua challenged the men returning to their families to be diligent to observe the Commandments and the Law given by Moses. He urged them to cleave to the LORD and serve Him with all their hearts. (22:5).
Erecting a memorial to their covenant with the other tribes, the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar on the east side of the Jordan that nearly became a provocation for war (22:10). A threat of civil war soon followed as the western tribes misunderstood the purpose of the altar and feared the other tribes had departed from the God of Israel (22:11-12).
Wisely, before blood was shed, a delegation was sent to investigate the intent of the structure. Rather than a place of worship and sacrifice as they feared, they found the altar was a memorial for future generations to remember their covenant with the LORD and the Twelve Tribes of Israel (22:13-34). The investigation embodies a spiritual principle for us all:
Proverbs 18:13 – “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Joshua 23-24 – Joshua’s Final Challenge and Address
“Old and stricken in age,” Joshua gathered the leaders of Israel for a parting exhortation before his death (23:1-2). Like the great leader he was, he foresaw the challenges Israel would face in the years ahead when he was departed. Joshua’s words echo the passion of every godly leader who longs to see God’s people walk in the ways of the LORD.
He reminded them how the LORD had fought for and never forsook them (23:4-10). He challenged them to keep God’s Word (23:6), cleave to the LORD (23:8), and love the LORD (23:11). He warned: Compromise with the heathen and you will invite God’s judgment (23:12-16).
At Shechem (24:1), the same place Abraham had received God’s promise that his lineage would inherit the land (Genesis 12:6-7), Joshua began to rehearse God’s promises and providences.
He recalled God had chosen Abraham (24:2-4), delivered Israel out of Egypt (24:5-7), and guided them through the wilderness (24:7-10). He reminded the people that God had given them the land as He had promised (24:11-13) and challenged them to revere and serve the LORD (24:14-28). Lastly, Joshua exhorted the people to declare their devotion to the LORD with a covenant to memorialize their vow to serve Him (24:25-28).
The Book of Joshua closes with the death of a generation of leaders and three burials. Joshua, the successor of Moses died at 110 years old and was buried (24:29-30). Fulfilling Joseph’s request (Genesis 50:25), his bones were buried on the land owned by his father Jacob (24:32). Finally, Eleazar the high priest and the son of Aaron, died and was buried (24:33).
Like it was with Israel, so it is with every man and woman reading this devotional:
We must individually decide whether or not we will serve the LORD with our whole heart (24:14-24).
Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith