Reading 3 - Joshua 22-24

22 - Joshua 22 tells a story of misunderstanding that nearly goes disastrously wrong. The eastern tribes return to their homes across the Jordan (verse 4) and promptly built an altar (verse 10). Since there was to be but one central site for worship (see Deut 12:4-14) the other tribes viewed this as a serious breach of the covenant (verses 12-20). Fortunately, before attacking their brethren they listened to the explana- tion of the tribes (verses 22-29). The altar was there to remind all Israel that the tribes on the east side of Jordan were part of Israel and part of Israel’s worship. Having learned what the altar was for, all was well again (verse 30).

23 - Chapter 23 contains Joshua’s farewell address. Verse 1 says “a long time afterward” but what this is a “long time afterward” is not clear. Most take it to mean “a long time after God gave Israel rest.” Chap- ters 23-24 occur shortly before Joshua dies at the age of 110 (24:29). If he was roughly the same age as

Caleb at the time of the conquest (85) then approximately 25-30 years have passed. Joshua’s admonition here draws heavily on the language of Deuteronomy, encouraging Israel to finish the conquest (verse 5) and be faithful to the Lord (verses 6-8). Joshua solemnly warns the people that if they don’t want the people of Canaan out of the land the punishment will fit the crime: God will leave those people in place (verses 12-13).

24 - Chapter 24 is Joshua’s famous last word at the renewal of the covenant ceremony. This speech is in the form of treaties from Joshua’s day. The treaty used here is called a vassal treaty. It was employed when a superpower conquered a smaller nation (called a vassal nation). These treaties generally had six parts: a preamble identifying the Great King, a history of the situation, stipulations, curses and blessings, witnesses cited and provision for depositing the treaty document. Watch for these pieces of the treaty as you read the chapter, outlining the relationship between God and the vassal nation, Israel. Verses 14-15 seem to suggest Israel worshiped idols in Egypt (note Ezekiel 20:7), and Leviticus 17:7 seems to suggest that this also went on during the wilderness wanderings. Israel needed to choose who they would serve! Notice the emphasis on heart (verse 23). The book concludes with three funerals (verses 29-33). These are key men: Joshua helped them gain the land, Joseph looked forward in faith to the land and Eleazar helped them di- vide the land. These passages also help provide a link between Judges and Joshua. Joshua 24:29-31 paral- lels Judges 2:6-10, just as Joshua 1:1 links with Deut. 34.

psalm 116

This joyful thanksgiving psalm is hard to outline but is wonderful to read as the psalmist counts his bless- ings. Verses 1-2 set the stage, thanking God for intervening and saving the psalmist’s life. What God does re- veals His character (verse 5), particularly in His saving of the weak who cannot save themselves (verse 6). The writer had maintained that trust even in grave difficulty (verses 10), and now wants to honor and praise God for His mercy (verses 12-14). This is not “payback” or “you scratch my back and now I scratch yours” but humble worship from a heart of gratitude. Verse 15’s “precious” can confuse, making it seem as if God de- lights in the death of His people. The idea of “costly” is better here than precious. The idea is that God is pained by the death of His servants.

19 - Zacchaeus forms a huge contrast to the Rich Young Ruler of chapter 18 who would not give up his money to be right with God. Jesus concludes that story with the shocking saying that a Gentile can become a “child of Abraham” (verse 9). Gentiles can be in too! Amazing! Notice the wrong thinking about the kingdom that permeated the people (verse 11b). This is why Jesus was often reluctant to reveal Himself as the Messiah or make plain statement that He was (and is) the King of Kings. The people of His day did not un-derstand the kind of kingdom He had come to establish. The parable of the money (verse12-27) may seem harsh but verse 26 is the key: you are responsible to do with what you have.