Berean Study Bible Joshua Reviews Israel’s HistoryNear the end of his life, Joshua gathered the nation at Shechem, a place closely tied to Israel’s inheritance. There Abraham first received God’s promise of the land, and Jacob later built an altar after returning to Canaan. Situated in the central hill country between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, Shechem had also been the setting for Israel’s earlier covenant commitments. The gathering affirmed that the land, the people, and their covenant identity rested on God’s faithfulness. 1Ki 12:1-3 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there… He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, Joshua called representatives from every level of Israel’s leadership. Elders guided local communities, leaders oversaw the tribes, judges administered justice, and officers carried out public responsibilities. Their presence ensured that the covenant renewal involved the whole nation and bound those responsible for directing its civil and religious life. Jos 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders… and they presented themselves before God. Israel’s leaders stood in God’s presence as witnesses to the covenant proceedings. The occasion was not merely a national assembly but a solemn meeting before the Lord, who had brought them out of Egypt, given them the land, and required their faithful obedience. 1Sa 10:19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you… And Joshua said to all the people, Joshua addressed the assembled nation at Shechem, calling Israel to remember its history and renew its covenant commitment to the LORD. As Moses had done before him, Joshua gathered the people to hear God’s word and respond in obedience. Deu 31:11-13 when all Israel comes before the LORD your God… “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Joshua spoke with divine authority, presenting the LORD’s own account of Israel’s origins. The God who had delivered and preserved them was not a tribal deity but the covenant God who had chosen Israel for Himself. 2Sa 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!… ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, Israel’s story began before Abraham, with Terah and his sons in a family that did not yet know or serve the LORD. Joshua reminded the people that their identity rested on God’s gracious choice, not on ancestral merit. Gen 11:26-27 When Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram… lived beyond the Euphrates Terah’s household came from Mesopotamia, east of the Euphrates River. From that distant land God called Abraham, beginning the line through which He would form the nation of Israel. Gen 11:31-32 And Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot… and worshiped other gods. Abraham’s family had lived among idolatry and participated in it before God called Abraham away. Israel’s beginnings therefore testified to God’s initiative in separating a people from false worship to belong to Him alone. Deu 29:16-18 For you yourselves know how we lived in the land of Egypt… But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates God called Abraham, then known as Abram, from Ur of the Chaldeans in Mesopotamia, east of the Euphrates River. Abraham’s family had served other gods, yet God chose him and began the covenant line through which He would form Israel. Act 7:2-4 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!… and led him through all the land of Canaan, God brought Abraham into Canaan and promised that this land would belong to his descendants. Though Abraham lived there as a sojourner, his journey marked the beginning of Israel’s claim to the land later occupied under Joshua. Gen 13:14-17 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram,… and I multiplied his descendants. Although Abraham and Sarah had no children for many years, God fulfilled His promise to make Abraham’s offspring into a great people. Through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve tribes, Abraham’s descendants became the nation of Israel. Gen 17:2 I will establish My covenant between Me and you… I gave him Isaac, Isaac was the promised son, born when Abraham and Sarah were old. His birth demonstrated God’s power and preserved the covenant line through which Jacob, Israel’s twelve tribes, and ultimately the Messiah would come. Gen 17:19 But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will bear you a son,… and to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. Isaac’s twin sons became the fathers of distinct peoples. Jacob carried forward the covenant line and became Israel, father of the twelve tribes, while Esau became the ancestor of Edom. Gen 25:21-26 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife… I gave Esau Mount Seir to possess, God granted Esau and his descendants their own homeland in the rugged region of Seir south of the Dead Sea. Though Edom later became a frequent adversary of Israel, its land was recognized as an inheritance given by God. Deu 2:5 Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their… but Jacob and his sons went down to Egypt. During the famine, Jacob’s household entered Egypt under Joseph’s protection. Their settlement there preserved the family of promise, yet it also led to the generations of bondage from which God would later deliver Israel in the Exodus. Gen 46:3-7 “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father”… Then I sent Moses and Aaron, God appointed Moses and his brother Aaron to lead Israel from Egypt. Though Moses had been raised in Pharaoh’s household, he returned as God’s chosen servant to confront Pharaoh, while Aaron spoke on his behalf. Their call fulfilled God’s promise to deliver Abraham’s descendants from oppression. Moses also foreshadows Christ as a divinely appointed deliverer. Psa 105:26 He sent Moses His servant, and Aaron, whom He had chosen. and I afflicted the Egyptians by what I did there, God brought the ten plagues upon Egypt in judgment for Pharaoh’s refusal to release Israel. The plagues displayed His authority over Pharaoh, Egypt, and its false gods, exposing the helplessness of all who opposed Him. Egypt’s suffering compelled Pharaoh to acknowledge the power of the Lord and release the Israelites. Exo 12:12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt… and afterward I brought you out. God personally delivered Israel from slavery and began leading them toward the land promised to their fathers. The exodus became the defining act of redemption in Israel’s history and the foundation of the Passover memorial. It revealed God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His power to save His people. Exo 12:51 And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out… When I brought your fathers out of Egypt God recalls the Exodus as the beginning of Israel’s national deliverance. He fulfilled His promise to Abraham by bringing his descendants out of slavery and establishing them as His covenant people. Exo 12:51 And on that very day the LORD brought the Israelites out… and you reached the Red Sea, Israel’s escape appeared to end at the water’s edge, where the people were trapped between the sea and Pharaoh’s advancing army. The crossing became the decisive break from Egypt’s rule. Neh 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt;… the Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horsemen Pharaoh sent Egypt’s strongest military force after the Israelites, intending to return them to bondage. Their pursuit revealed both Egypt’s determination and Israel’s helplessness apart from God’s intervention. Exo 14:9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots… as far as the Red Sea. At the sea, God destroyed the pursuing army and brought Israel safely through. The event marked the end of their slavery and demonstrated that the Lord alone had delivered them. Exo 14:23-28 And the Egyptians chased after them—all Pharaoh’s horses… So your fathers cried out to the LORD, In Egypt, Israel appealed to God under severe oppression, and He heard their plea for deliverance. Exo 2:23-25 After a long time, the king of Egypt died.… and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, As Pharaoh’s army pursued them, God placed the cloud between the two camps, shielding Israel while hindering the Egyptians. Exo 14:19-20 And the angel of God withdrew and went behind them.… over whom He brought the sea and engulfed them. After Israel crossed safely on dry ground, the waters returned and destroyed the Egyptian army, ending Pharaoh’s pursuit. Exo 14:27-28 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea,… Your very eyes saw what I did to the Egyptians. Israel witnessed God’s judgment on Egypt and His power to save His people. Exo 14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised… Then you lived in the wilderness for a long time. The nation remained in the wilderness for forty years, where God sustained them, gave them His law, and prepared a new generation to enter the promised land. Deu 29:5 For forty years I led you in the wilderness… Later, I brought you to the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan. After the wilderness journey, Israel entered the territory east of the Jordan occupied by Amorite kingdoms, including those ruled by Sihon and Og. God had brought them there as part of His promise to give Abraham’s descendants the land. Deu 3:8 At that time we took from the two kings of the Amorites… They fought against you, The Amorite kings resisted Israel’s passage and attacked rather than granting peace. Num 21:23-24 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory.… but I delivered them into your hand, Israel’s victory was God’s work, not merely the result of military strength. He gave His people power over enemies who had opposed His purposes. Deu 3:2 But the LORD said to me, “Do not fear him… that you should possess their land The conquered territory became part of Israel’s inheritance, providing land for tribes that settled east of the Jordan. Num 32:33 So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites… when I destroyed them before you. God judged the Amorites for their wickedness and removed them from the land, while warning Israel that they too were accountable to remain faithful to Him. Num 21:35 So they struck down Og, along with his whole army… Then Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, set out to fight against Israel. Balak ruled Moab, east of the Dead Sea, as Israel approached the land of Canaan. The Moabites descended from Lot and feared Israel after its victories over the Amorite kings. Though Balak could not overcome Israel by military strength, he sought to oppose them through supernatural means. Num 22:2-4 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done… He sent for Balaam son of Beor to curse you, Balak summoned Balaam, a diviner from Mesopotamia, hoping that a curse would weaken Israel. Balaam’s attempt failed because the Lord would not permit Israel to be cursed. Instead, God compelled Balaam to pronounce blessings, showing that no human ruler or spiritual power could overturn God’s purpose for His people. Num 22:5-6 he sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor at Pethor,… but I would not listen to Balaam. Balak of Moab hired Balaam to place Israel under a curse as they approached the land. God overruled Balaam’s purpose and refused to permit any curse against the people He had chosen. Deu 23:5 Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam,… So he blessed you again and again, Balaam’s repeated oracles declared Israel’s strength, security, and future increase. What Balak intended for Israel’s harm became public confirmation that God’s covenant blessing rested on them. Num 24:10 Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck… and I delivered you from his hand. Israel’s safety did not depend on military strength or political alliances. God protected them from Balaam’s attempted spiritual attack and preserved them for entrance into the promised land. Deu 23:4 For they did not meet you with food and water… After this, you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho. Israel’s crossing of the Jordan marked the end of the wilderness years and the beginning of the conquest of the land promised to Abraham’s descendants. As at the Red Sea, God made a way for His people where no natural way existed. Jericho stood near the Jordan Valley as a fortified gateway into central Canaan. Jos 3:14-17 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan,… The people of Jericho fought against you, Jericho resisted Israel’s advance, trusting in its strong walls and defenses. Its fall came through God’s command and power rather than Israel’s military skill, showing that possession of the land depended on the Lord’s faithfulness. Jos 6:20-21 So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted.… as did the Amorites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites, and Jebusites, These peoples occupied different regions throughout Canaan and opposed Israel’s settlement. Their entrenched idolatry and moral corruption had brought them under God’s judgment, while their continued presence would later test Israel’s obedience and loyalty to the Lord. Deu 7:1-2 When the LORD your God brings you into the land… and I delivered them into your hand. Israel’s victories were God’s work, not the result of superior numbers or strength. He fulfilled His covenant promises by giving His people the land and overcoming the nations that stood against them. Jos 21:44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side,… I sent the hornet ahead of you, God used the hornet to unsettle and drive out Israel’s enemies before the army advanced. The conquest of Canaan was directed by the Lord, who brought judgment on the inhabitants and prepared the land for Israel. Exo 23:28 I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites… and it drove out the two Amorite kings before you, The two kings were Sihon and Og, rulers east of the Jordan whose defeat opened the way for Israel’s settlement. Their fall demonstrated God’s faithfulness to give His people the land He had promised. Deu 4:47 They took possession of the land belonging to Sihon… but not by your own sword or bow. Israel fought, but its victories did not rest on military strength or skill. God gave the land by His power, not through Israel’s own ability. Hos 1:7 Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah,… So I gave you a land on which you did not toil Israel received Canaan as the Lord’s gift, fulfilling the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Their possession of the land rested on God’s faithfulness, not on their own labor or merit. Psa 105:44 He gave them the lands of the nations… and cities that you did not build, The conquest brought Israel into fortified towns, homes, and established settlements prepared before their arrival. God provided the conditions needed for the tribes to dwell securely in the land. Deu 6:10 And when the LORD your God brings you into the land… and now you live in them Israel’s settlement in Canaan demonstrated that the Lord had kept His promise. The people were called to remember that their security and prosperity came from Him. Jos 21:43 Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn… and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.’ The vineyards and olive groves supplied food, oil, and lasting agricultural wealth. These provisions showed the abundance of the land God had promised and gave Israel a continuing reminder of His care. Deu 6:11 with houses full of every good thing,…
Choose Whom You Will ServeJoshua calls Israel to reverence the God who delivered them, preserved them, and gave them the land. Their response to His covenant faithfulness must begin with recognizing His holiness, authority, and right to command them. 1Sa 12:24 Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully… and serve Him in sincerity and truth; Israel’s worship was to be wholehearted, faithful, and consistent with their confession. God required more than public observance; He demanded undivided loyalty expressed in obedient living. 2Co 1:12 For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies… cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, Abraham’s family had come from a land marked by idolatry, and Israel had lived among Egypt’s many gods. Though the LORD had separated them from those nations, remnants of former allegiances remained a danger. They were to reject every rival object of worship and abandon any divided devotion. Gen 35:2-4 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him,… and serve the LORD. The covenant allowed no shared allegiance. Having received the LORD’s salvation and inheritance, Israel was to belong to Him alone in worship, obedience, and daily life. 1Sa 7:3 Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel,… But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, Joshua addresses Israel at Shechem during the renewal of the covenant, placing their allegiance plainly before them. The LORD had redeemed and preserved them, yet they were responsible to respond in faithful obedience. Deu 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you… then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, Israel could not remain divided between the LORD and the gods of surrounding peoples. The decision concerned the whole nation and required an immediate, settled commitment. 1Ki 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said,… whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, Their ancestors had lived among idolatrous cultures before God called Abraham and established His covenant with him. Joshua reminds Israel that their history began not in faithfulness to false gods, but in God’s gracious call. Act 7:2-4 And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!… or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. The Amorites and other Canaanite peoples worshiped gods connected with fertility, storms, and agriculture. Israel faced continual pressure to adopt the religious practices of the land God had given them. Jdg 6:10 And I said to you: ‘I am the LORD your God.… As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Joshua declares that his household will remain devoted to the LORD alone. As Israel’s leader, he sets before the nation an example of covenant faithfulness rooted in the God who had brought them into the land. Gen 18:19 For I have chosen him, so that he will… The people replied, Israel answered Joshua together, publicly affirming their shared commitment at Shechem. Exo 24:3 When Moses came and told the people all the words… “Far be it from us They strongly rejected the possibility of disloyalty after recalling the LORD’s faithfulness in delivering them from Egypt and giving them the land. Jos 22:29 Far be it from us to rebel against the LORD… to forsake the LORD Abandoning Him would mean breaking the covenant that defined Israel as His people and turning away from the God who had preserved them. 1Sa 12:10 Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned… to serve other gods! The surrounding peoples worshiped idols associated with fertility, harvests, and military strength, but Israel declared that the LORD alone was worthy of their allegiance. Deu 11:16 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside… For the LORD our God brought us and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, Israel confessed that Yahweh had personally delivered both the present generation and their ancestors from Egyptian bondage. The Exodus stood at the center of their national history, revealing God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His power over Pharaoh and Egypt. Deu 4:37-38 Because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants… out of the house of slavery, Egypt had reduced Israel to forced labor under harsh conditions, but God broke that oppression and made them His people. Their freedom was not earned by their strength but given through His saving action. Exo 13:3 So Moses told the people, “Remember this day,… and performed these great signs before our eyes. The plagues upon Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, and God’s provision in the wilderness showed His power and confirmed His word through Moses. Many who heard Joshua had either witnessed these events or received their testimony from those who had. Deu 6:22 Before our eyes the LORD inflicted great and devastating… He also protected us throughout our journey God preserved Israel during the wilderness years, providing food, water, direction, and defense despite their repeated rebellion. Their continued existence depended upon His mercy and care. Deu 29:5 For forty years I led you in the wilderness… and among all the nations through which we traveled. God guarded Israel as they passed through hostile territories and defeated the peoples who opposed His purpose. Their settlement in Canaan came through His fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deu 29:16-17 For you yourselves know how we lived in the land of Egypt… And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, Israel recognized that victory in Canaan came from the LORD’s power, not their own strength. He fulfilled His promise to give the land to Abraham’s descendants and removed the peoples who had occupied it. Jos 23:9 The LORD has driven out great and powerful nations… including the Amorites who lived in the land. The Amorites were a powerful Canaanite people whose kings and fortified cities had opposed Israel. Their defeat, including the earlier victories over Sihon and Og, showed that no enemy could prevent the LORD from giving Israel the inheritance He had promised. Num 13:29 The Amalekites live in the land of the Negev;… We too will serve the LORD, The people responded to Joshua’s call by renewing their commitment to obey and worship the LORD alone. Their decision acknowledged His faithfulness throughout Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and conquest of the land. Jos 22:5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law… because He is our God!” Israel confessed the covenant relationship established by the LORD, who had chosen them as His people. Calling Him “our God” expressed their allegiance to Him and their rejection of the gods worshiped by the surrounding nations. Deu 26:17-18 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God… But Joshua said to the people, Joshua addressed Israel at Shechem during his final covenant renewal, calling the nation to consider soberly the commitment they had just made. Having led them into the land after Moses, he knew their history of unbelief and idolatry. Jos 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders… “You are not able to serve the LORD, Israel’s own strength and resolve were insufficient for faithful obedience. Their past repeatedly showed how quickly they turned from the Lord when tested or surrounded by pagan nations. Jhn 15:5 I am the vine and you are the branches… for He is a holy God; The Lord’s absolute purity sets Him apart from all false gods and from sinful humanity. His covenant people could not treat obedience as a casual matter. Psa 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain,… He is a jealous God; God rightfully demands Israel’s exclusive worship. As the God who redeemed them and gave them the land, He would not accept divided loyalty or the worship of idols. Exo 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them;… He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins. Joshua warned that deliberate, continuing rebellion would bring judgment rather than pardon. Israel could not presume upon God’s mercy while abandoning His covenant; forgiveness required turning from sin and returning to Him. Exo 23:21 Pay attention to him and listen to his voice;… If you forsake the LORD Israel’s covenant with God required exclusive loyalty, established at Sinai and renewed as they entered the land. Turning from Him would be a deliberate rejection of the God who had chosen, delivered, and sustained them. 2Ch 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him,… and serve foreign gods, The gods of Canaan, including Baal and Asherah, offered a continual temptation through the religious practices of the surrounding peoples. Idolatry would corrupt Israel’s worship and draw the nation into the sins associated with those cults. Jdg 10:13 But you have forsaken Me and served other gods,… He will turn and bring disaster on you God’s covenant blessings were joined to Israel’s obedience. Persistent rebellion would bring His judgment rather than His protection, as later generations experienced through defeat, oppression, and exile. Deu 31:17 On that day My anger will burn against them,… and consume you, The nation could face ruin and removal from the land just as the Canaanites had faced judgment for their wickedness. Israel’s privileged position did not excuse covenant unfaithfulness. Num 16:21 Separate yourselves from this congregation… even after He has been good to you.” Joshua recalled God’s goodness in delivering Israel from Egypt, preserving them in the wilderness, and giving them the promised land. Rejecting Him after such mercy would reveal profound ingratitude and rebellion. Deu 8:10-14 When you eat and are satisfied, bless the LORD your God… “No!” The Israelites firmly reject the gods of their ancestors and the surrounding nations. Having heard Joshua’s charge, they publicly affirm that they will not abandon the God who delivered them from Egypt and gave them the land of Canaan. Dan 3:18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you,… replied the people. Their united answer reflects Israel’s corporate responsibility before the Lord and the covenant renewed at Shechem. Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything… “We will serve the LORD!” They pledge exclusive worship and obedience to the Lord, acknowledging Him as their God and rejecting idolatry. Jos 22:5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law… Then Joshua told them, Near the end of his life, Joshua gathered Israel at Shechem, where the Lord had first promised the land to Abraham. Having renewed the covenant, Joshua pressed the people to recognize the seriousness of their pledge to serve the Lord alone. Jos 23:14-16 Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth… “You are witnesses against yourselves Israel’s own confession would stand as testimony to the commitment they had made. They could not claim ignorance or place responsibility on others if they later turned from the Lord. Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today… that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” Their service was to be expressed in obedience to God’s covenant, rejecting idols and remaining faithful to the Lord who had delivered them and given them the land. 1Ki 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said,… “We are witnesses!” they said. The people publicly accepted responsibility for their decision. Their united response confirmed that they understood the covenant and its demands. Rut 4:11 “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people… “Now, therefore,” After recounting the Lord’s faithfulness from Abraham’s day through Israel’s settlement in Canaan, Joshua calls the nation to respond in renewed covenant loyalty. Deu 10:12-13 And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you… he said, As Israel’s appointed leader and Moses’ successor, Joshua speaks at Shechem as the people stand before God. Deu 31:7-8 Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him… “get rid of the foreign gods among you The command reveals that remnants of idolatry remained among the people despite their confession that the LORD alone was God. Israel was to remove every rival object of worship and reject the gods associated with their ancestors and the surrounding nations. Jdg 10:16 So they put away the foreign gods from among them… and incline your hearts to the LORD, Outward removal of idols was to be joined by wholehearted devotion. Israel’s allegiance was to be directed fully toward the Lord who had redeemed, preserved, and established them in the land. 1Ch 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father… the God of Israel.” The LORD was not one deity among many, but the covenant God who had chosen Israel as His people and alone deserved their worship. Exo 5:1 After that, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said… So the people said to Joshua, Israel answered as one people, publicly confirming the covenant Joshua had set before them. Their response recognized his God-given leadership as he renewed the nation’s commitment to the LORD at Shechem. Jos 1:16 So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us… “We will serve the LORD our God They pledged exclusive allegiance to the God who had delivered their fathers, brought them into Canaan, and given them the land. Calling Him “our God” affirmed their identity as His covenant people. Jos 22:5 But be very careful to observe the commandment and the law… and obey His voice.” Their promise included submission to the LORD’s commands in every area of life. Serving God could not be separated from obeying the laws He had given through Moses. Deu 26:17 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God… On that day Joshua brought Israel’s response to a decisive conclusion after his final charge to the nation. Their renewed commitment was made publicly and solemnly before the Lord. Deu 29:12 so that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD… Joshua made a covenant for the people, Acting as Israel’s appointed leader, Joshua bound the nation to its declared decision to serve the Lord alone. This covenant reaffirmed the obligations Israel had received through Moses. 2Ki 11:17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king… and there at Shechem The tribes gathered at Shechem, a place closely associated with God’s earlier promises of the land. Its central location and sacred history made it a fitting setting for Israel to renew its covenant allegiance. Gen 12:6-7 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site… he established for them a statute and ordinance. Joshua set forth binding requirements for the nation’s life under the covenant. Israel’s future in the land depended on faithful obedience to the Lord’s commands. Exo 15:25 And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him… Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Joshua formally preserved the covenant renewal at Shechem, including Israel’s pledge to serve the LORD alone. By adding this record to the Book of the Law of God, he connected the people’s renewed commitment with the covenant God had given through Moses. The written record provided a lasting testimony for later generations and underscored Israel’s accountability to the LORD. Deu 31:24-26 When Moses had finished writing in a book… Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak Joshua erected a large stone as a visible witness to the covenant. Such memorials marked decisive acts of God and solemn commitments made before Him. Placed beneath the oak, likely at a recognized gathering place in Shechem, the stone stood as a permanent reminder of what Israel had confessed. 1Sa 7:12 Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up.… that was near the sanctuary of the LORD. The memorial stood near the place where Israel worshiped and where the tabernacle was located at Shechem. Its setting joined the covenant commitment to the presence and worship of the LORD, reminding the nation that faithfulness to Him was central to its life in the land. 1Sa 3:3 Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down… And Joshua said to all the people, At Shechem, Joshua addressed the assembled nation during the renewal of Israel’s covenant with the LORD. As Moses’ successor, he led the people in publicly affirming their allegiance to God. Jos 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders… “You see this stone. Joshua set up a large stone near the sanctuary as a permanent memorial of the covenant made there. Shechem was already a significant place in Israel’s history, connected with God’s promises concerning the land. Jos 4:6-7 to serve as a sign among you. In the future,… It will be a witness against us, The stone stood as a public testimony that Israel had bound itself to serve the LORD alone. Its enduring presence would remind the people of their solemn pledge. Jos 22:27-28 Rather, let it be a witness between us and you… for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, Joshua speaks of the stone as though it had heard the covenant words because it was present when Israel received and accepted God’s commands, promises, and warnings. Deu 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says.… and it will be a witness against you If later generations forsook the LORD, the memorial would testify that they had knowingly broken the covenant their fathers had affirmed. Deu 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today… if you ever deny your God.” Joshua’s warning recognized the danger of apostasy and the consequences of abandoning the God who had delivered Israel and given them the land. 2Ti 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him;… Then Joshua sent the people away, Joshua concluded the covenant renewal at Shechem after Israel had affirmed its commitment to serve the LORD alone. With his final public charge complete, the tribes returned from the national assembly to their homes and responsibilities. Israel would now live under the leadership of its elders, judges, and tribal heads, bearing the responsibility to keep the covenant in daily life. Jos 22:6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way,… each to his own inheritance. Every tribe returned to the land allotted by God through Joshua, a lasting fulfillment of His promise to give Canaan to Abraham’s descendants. Their inheritance was both a home and a sign of God’s faithfulness. Remaining in the land depended upon continued obedience to the LORD, whose covenant blessings had made their settlement possible. Jdg 2:6 After Joshua had dismissed the people, the Israelites…
Joshua’s Death and BurialIsrael had renewed its covenant commitment at Shechem, and the land was settled under Joshua’s leadership. Jos 23:1 A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest… Joshua son of Nun, Joshua, whose name means “The LORD is salvation,” from the tribe of Ephraim, had succeeded Moses and led Israel through the conquest of Canaan. Jos 1:1 Now after the death of His servant Moses,… the servant of the LORD, Having carried out the commission God gave him, Joshua is remembered for faithful obedience and leadership. Jdg 2:8 And Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD,… died at the age of 110 His death closed the generation that had witnessed the Exodus, the wilderness years, and Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. Gen 50:22-23 Now Joseph and his father’s household remained in Egypt,… And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, Joshua was laid to rest in the portion he received after leading Israel into Canaan. His burial there marked the fulfillment of God’s promise to give Israel the land and honored Joshua’s faithful service throughout the conquest and settlement. Gen 50:13 They carried him to the land of Canaan… at Timnath-serah This town in Ephraim, whose name means “portion of abundance,” was given to Joshua as his personal inheritance after the other tribes had received their allotments. It stood as a lasting reminder that Israel’s leaders shared in the inheritance God provided for the nation. Jos 19:50 as the LORD had commanded. They gave him the city… in the hill country of Ephraim, The rugged central highlands belonged to the tribe descended from Joseph’s son Ephraim. Joshua’s connection with Ephraim and his burial in this region linked his life and leadership to the land where Israel was established. 1Sa 1:1 Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from… north of Mount Gaash. The geographic detail identifies Joshua’s burial place near a known landmark in the Ephraimite hill country. It grounds the account in the actual landscape of Israel and preserves the memory of where the nation’s great leader was buried. 2Sa 23:30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, Israel had served the LORD Israel remained faithful to the covenant during a season marked by obedience to God’s commands. Their devotion stood in contrast to later generations that turned to idolatry and abandoned the ways God had commanded. Deu 10:20 You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him.… throughout the days of Joshua As Moses’ successor, Joshua led the people across the Jordan, directed the conquest of Canaan, and oversaw the division of the land among the tribes. His steadfast obedience helped preserve Israel’s loyalty to the LORD. Jdg 2:7 And the people served the LORD throughout the days of Joshua… and of the elders who outlived him These leaders had served alongside Joshua and helped guide the tribes after his death. Their continued influence provided stability because they understood both the demands of the covenant and the consequences of disobedience. Jos 23:2-4 he summoned all Israel, including its elders… and who had experienced all the works that the LORD had done for Israel. They had witnessed God’s deliverance, provision, and victories from the wilderness through the conquest of Canaan. Their firsthand knowledge of His works strengthened their leadership and preserved the memory of God’s faithfulness among the people. Deu 29:2-6 Moses summoned all Israel and proclaimed to them,… And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, Joseph had charged his family to carry his remains from Egypt when God delivered them. Their obedience fulfilled that long-standing oath and marked the completion of Israel’s journey from slavery into the land promised to their fathers. Exo 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him.… were buried at Shechem Shechem was closely associated with the patriarchs and stood within the central hill country of the land. Joseph’s burial there placed his remains permanently among the people and land he had trusted God to give them. Gen 47:29-30 When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called… in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, Jacob had secured this property as a lawful possession during his return to Canaan. The burial site connected Joseph’s resting place with his father’s established claim in the land. Act 7:16 Their bones were carried back to Shechem… for a hundred pieces of silver. The recorded price confirms that the land had been formally purchased and belonged to Jacob’s family before Israel possessed Canaan as a nation. Gen 33:19 And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent,… So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants. The property passed to Joseph’s descendants, especially through Ephraim and Manasseh. Joseph’s burial in Shechem testified that God had brought His people into the inheritance Joseph had anticipated in faith. Jos 16:4 So Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph… Eleazar son of Aaron also died, Eleazar succeeded Aaron as high priest and served through Israel’s wilderness years and the conquest of Canaan. His death closes the generation of leaders who guided Israel into the land and oversaw its division among the tribes. Num 20:25-29 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor.… and they buried him at Gibeah, He was buried on land associated with his family, in Gibeah in the hill country of Ephraim, not Gibeah of Saul, honoring his priestly service and preserving the connection between the high-priestly line and Israel’s inheritance. Jdg 2:9 They buried him in the land of his inheritance… which had been given to his son Phinehas Phinehas succeeded Eleazar in the priestly line. The inheritance given to him affirmed the continuing place of Aaron’s descendants in Israel’s worship and national life. Num 25:11-13 Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest,… in the hill country of Ephraim. Although the priests received no tribal territory of their own, Eleazar’s family held this allotted property in Ephraim, near the central region where Israel gathered before the Lord. Jos 17:15 Joshua answered them, “If you have so many people…”… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. 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