Immerse: Kingdoms - Flipbook - Page 15
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IMMERSE
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KINGDOMS
the context of the story, the nations are removed from Canaan because
they had become utterly corrupt—just as Israel itself will be brutally
removed in the future for its own detestable practices. These events
must be read within the context of God’s ongoing Story of redemption,
especially in light of God’s supreme revelation later in Israel’s Messiah.
Once the land has been conquered, the second section explains how
Joshua divides it among the tribes. We may wonder why there is such
a detailed description of the allocation of the land, but this gets at the
heart of the covenant. God’s intention has always been for his people
to thrive in the physical place he set apart for them. Israel’s conquest of
the Promised Land reflects God’s overall objective to reclaim the entire
creation as our good home and his glorious Temple.
The final section of the book focuses on Joshua’s leading the people
in a covenant renewal ceremony. The leaders of the various tribes and
clans gather at Shechem and are challenged to serve God alone, obey
the Law of Moses, and fully claim their inheritance from the Lord.
“Choose today whom you will serve,” Joshua challenges them. “As
for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” The people, aware of
their story and recognizing that they are to continue living it out, respond, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. . . .
We, too, will serve the Lord, for he alone is our God.”
At the end of Joshua’s life, the people have received God’s gift of
land as promised and are poised to fulfill their calling as agents in God’s
mission to all nations. The Lord has kept his promises to Abraham and
Moses. Now Abraham’s family must step up to become God’s covenant
people for the sake of the world.
JOSHUA
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua
son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across
the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I
promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given
you—from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains
in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean
Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hitites.’ No one will be able
to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with
Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these
people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions
Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or
to the left. Then you will be successful in every thing you do. Study this
Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will
be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and
succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, “Go through the camp and
tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross
the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is
giving you.”
Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the halftribe of Manasseh. He told them, “Remember what Moses, the servant of
the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place
of rest. He has given you this land.’ Your wives, children, and livestock
may remain here in the land Moses assigned to you on the east side of the
Jordan River. But your strong warriors, fully armed, must lead the other
tribes across the Jordan to help them conquer their territory. Stay with
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