Lesson 8
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(JOSHUA 22—24)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Joshua 22—24. This lesson references chapters 11–12 in Be Strong. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
“In defeat unbeatable; in victory unbearable.” That’s the way Sir Winston Churchill described a British army officer famous in the Second World War. The first half of the description would apply to Joshua, because he knew how to win victory out of defeat. But the last half doesn’t apply at all; for as commander of the Lord’s army, Joshua was magnanimous in the way he treated his troops after the victory. An Italian proverb says, “It’s the blood of the soldier that makes the general great.” But this general made his soldiers great! This is clearly seen in the way he discharged the tribes who lived on the east side of the Jordan.
—Be Strong, page 162
1. Review Joshua 22:1–8. How did Joshua treat the tribes after the battle was over? Why do people tend to be unbearable after victory? What sin crops up with success? What lessons can we glean from Joshua’s treatment of others after victory?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Joshua 22—24 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Having fulfilled their mission and kept their promise, the tribes were now free to go home, for God had given His people rest. The concept of rest is important in the book of Joshua and means much more than simply the end of the war. The word carries with it the meaning of both victory and security, and it involved Israel having their “resting place” in the land.
—Be Strong, pages 162–63
3. Read Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 12:9–10; 25:19; Joshua 1:13–15; 11:23; 14:15; 21:44; 22:4; 23:1. What do these verses tell us about the importance of “rest” to God’s people? Where in Joshua 22—24 do we see evidence of God giving His people rest?
More to Consider: Review Hebrews 3 and 4. What do these chapters teach us about the spiritual application of rest for God’s people today?
From the Commentary
Like any good leader, Joshua was more concerned about the spiritual walk of his people than anything else. The army had experienced victory in Canaan because Joshua loved the Lord and obeyed His Word (1:7–8), and that would be the “open secret” of Israel’s continued peace and prosperity. Just as they had been diligent in battle, obeying their commander, so they must be diligent in worship, obeying the Lord their God. This was the promise each of the tribes made to the Lord at Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.
—Be Strong, page 163
4. Why was Joshua concerned about the people’s spiritual walk? Where do we see this concern in Joshua 22? What does this teach us about the proper motive for obedience?
From the Commentary
There’s no question that Canaan was God’s appointed land for His people; anything short of Canaan wasn’t what He wanted for them. The two and a half tribes made their decision, not on the basis of spiritual values, but on the basis of material gain, for the land east of the Jordan was ideal for raising cattle. I’m reminded of the decision Lot made when he pitched his tent toward Sodom (Gen. 13:10–11). In both instances, the people walked by sight and not by faith.
—Be Strong, page 165
5. In what ways did the people of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh divide the nation by their decision? How did they separate themselves from the blessings of Canaan? What did they miss out on by this decision? Who are today’s “borderline believers”?
From the Commentary
The word traveled quickly that the tribes east of the Jordan had erected an altar. While these Transjordanic tribes had been very sincere in what they did, their action was misunderstood, and the other tribes prepared for possible war. But wisely, they waited while an official delegation investigated what was going on. “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Prov. 18:13 NKJV).
—Be Strong, page 166
6. Why did the news of an altar concern the tribes in Canaan? What could have happened if they acted on rumor instead of investigating the truth? Why do people tend to believe rumors? How do rumors and misinformation contribute to wars? To conflict of any kind? What is the proper way to deal with unsubstantiated rumors?
From the Commentary
Joshua was about to go “the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14), the way you and I must go if the Lord doesn’t return first. But at the end of a long and full life, Joshua’s greatest concern wasn’t himself. His greatest concern was his people and their relationship to the Lord. He didn’t want to leave until he had challenged them once again to love the Lord and keep His commandments. His life’s work would be in vain if they failed to keep the covenant and enjoy the blessings of the Promised Land.
—Be Strong, page 175
7. How did Joshua prepare his people for the time when he would no longer be around? (Review Josh. 23—24.) Why was this important to Joshua? Why was it important to God’s people? What are some practical ways to apply this wisdom to our own lives and the people we care about?
From the Commentary
Having assembled the leaders of the nation, Joshua presented them with two scenarios: Obey the Lord, and He will bless you and keep you in the land; disobey Him, and He will judge you and remove you from the land. These were the terms of the covenant God had made with Israel at Mount Sinai, which Moses had repeated on the Plains of Moab, and which Israel had reaffirmed at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Joshua’s emphasis was on possessing the land (23:5) and enjoying its blessings (vv. 13, 15–16). While Israel had gained control of Canaan, there still remained territory to possess and pockets of resistance to overcome. (See 13:1–13; 15:63; 16:10; 17:12–13; 18:3; Judg. 1—2.) The task of the tribes wasn’t finished! The great danger, of course, was that the people of Israel would gradually change their attitudes toward the pagan nations around them and start accepting their ways and imitating them.
—Be Strong, page 176
8. What motives did Joshua give the people for remaining separated and serving the Lord faithfully? (See Josh. 23:3–16.) Why was it important to Joshua that the people remain separated? What tasks did they still have ahead of them? What does it mean to be separated today in a good way? What are the tasks of the church today?
From the Commentary
In the April 15, 1978, issue of Saturday Review, the late author and editor Norman Cousins called history “a vast early warning system,” and philosopher George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” A knowledge of their roots is very important to the Jews because they are God’s chosen people with a destiny to fulfill in this world.
Shechem was the ideal location for this moving farewell address by Israel’s great leader. It was at Shechem that God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land (Gen. 12:6–7), and there Jacob built an altar (33:20). Shechem was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, where the people of Israel had reaffirmed their commitment to the Lord (Josh. 8:30–35). Shechem was indeed “holy ground” to the Israelites.
—Be Strong, page 180
9. Review Joshua 24:1–15. Underline the words Lord and serve (and any variations) in this section. Why did Joshua mention the Lord so many times? What’s the point of his emphasis on serving? What was Joshua trying to prepare the people for with this farewell speech? How are these messages valid for the church today?
From the Commentary
Joshua made it clear that the people of Israel had to make a decision to serve the Lord God of Israel. There could be no neutrality. But if they served the Lord, then they would have to get rid of the false gods that some of them secretly were worshipping. Even after the great experience of the exodus, some of the Jews still sacrificed to the gods of Egypt (Lev. 17:7; Amos 5:25–26; Ezek. 20:6–8; Acts 7:42–43). Jacob had given this same warning to his family (Gen. 35:2), and Samuel would give the same admonition in his day (1 Sam. 7:3ff.).
Joshua wasn’t suggesting that the people could choose to worship the false gods of the land and God would accept it, for there was no other option but to serve Jehovah. Being a wise and spiritual man, Joshua knew that everybody must worship something or someone, whether they realize it or not, because humanity is “incurably religious.” If the Jews didn’t worship the true God, they would end up worshipping the false gods of the wicked nations in Canaan. His point was that they couldn’t do both.
—Be Strong, pages 183–84
10. Why did some of the Israelites still serve false gods even after they had been led out of captivity? What causes people to hang on to bad habits? How did Joshua deal with this issue? What are some of the false gods we still serve today? How might Joshua address us about these old habits?
More to Consider: Moses had named Joshua as his successor, but God didn’t tell Joshua to appoint a successor. Why is this significant? Later generations seemed to forget what God had done for Israel, even though Joshua had encouraged them to teach their children of God’s role in their history. What happened?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Joshua 22—24. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. How well do you embrace the rest God offers? Is it easy for you to rest in God? Why or why not? What’s the difference between godly rest and laziness?
12. One of Joshua’s main themes in these chapters is preparing the generations that will follow for a life of faith. What are some ways you’re preparing those you care about (family, friends, etc.) for the future? What sort of faith legacy do you want to leave?
13. Some of the Israelites continued to worship idols even after they had seen God work miracles with their delivery out of Egypt and into Canaan. What are some of the old habits you battle from life before knowing Christ? Why do these habits linger? What are you doing to overcome them?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to cut an idol out of your life? Learn how to leave a positive faith legacy? Be specific. Go back through Joshua 22—24 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Think specifically about the sort of spiritual legacy you want to leave your children (or others you care about). What would that legacy look like? What have you already done to share that legacy? Think of practical ways you can build a positive legacy. This could be anything from simply building your own understanding of faith (through further study and worship) to teaching others at church or elsewhere to writing down your journey so others can learn from it.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.