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The Scriptorium

Joshua's Farewell Address (2)

Jesus brings us into the rest foreshadowed in the book of Joshua.

Joshua 24 (7)

Review Joshua 24.

Reflect.
1.  How did Joshua regard the role of history in the life of faith? Why is it important to remember the works God has done for His people in previous generations?

2.  Joshua used several terms to exhort Israel in their relationship with the Lord: Hold fast to, love, fear, and serve. In what ways does each of these describe your walk with and work for the Lord?

Think about it.
The book of Joshua provides the historical account of Israel’s conquest and settlement of Canaan. The work was not finished in Joshua’s lifetime, but enough had been accomplished that the entire land could be parceled among the tribes, so that we end the book with a feeling of completion. God promised the land of Canaan to His people from the earliest days of His covenant with them, and the book of Joshua shows us that, while God’s promises may sometimes be long in coming, they will not fail.

The promises of God’s covenant – that we may know Him and make Him known to the world – are before us every day, and every day we take up a work of conquest in our own Personal Mission Fields, to lay hold on God’s promises and bring His shalomto the people and places to which He sends us.

Our study of Joshua has provided us much guidance and many important admonitions and examples concerning how to remain faithful to the Lord. We need to learn the lessons of our forebears, and to remember the works God has done in the past, so that we may live faithfully and obediently before Him in all our ways. 

God’s promises are exceedingly great and precious (2 Pet. 1.4). As Joshua led Israel to lay hold on those promises in the Old Testament, Jesus leads us into God’s promises by drawing us to Himself, giving us His Spirit, and calling us to abide in Him. In Jesus, all the promises of God are “Yes!” and “Amen!” But we have to work hard at our salvation so that we may overcome every influence of unbelief and enjoy the pure and abounding rest that is ours in Jesus. Joshua led the people of God into the beginnings of His rest, but Jesus takes us all the way there, now and forevermore.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  Why did Joshua think it was important that Israel should reaffirm their covenant relationship with God?

2.  Joshua deliberately connected the people of his day with their covenant history. Why? What should we learn from this?

3.  Why do you think the book of Joshua ends with such a mood of incompletion and uncertainty?

“Joshua, in a regular and solemn manner, invoked the name of Jehovah, and, as in his presence, addressed the people, so that each might consider for himself that God was presiding over all the things which were done, and that they were not there engaged in a private business, but confirming a sacred and inviolable compact with God himself.” John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua (1509-1564 AD)

Thank You, Lord, for the book of Joshua, and for what I have learned from this study, especially…

Pray Psalm 145.

Let’s use this psalm again today as an appropriate prayer for concluding our study of the book of Joshua. Praise God for His works, and seek His mercy and grace to help you in carrying out your calling to lay hold on His promises in your Personal Mission Field.

Psalm 145 (Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want)
I will extol You, God, my King, and ever praise Your Name!
I bless You, Lord, for everything each day, and e’er the same!
Great are You, Lord, my praise I bring; unsearchable Your fame!

To ev’ry generation we Your wondrous works shall tell.
The splendor of Your majesty we contemplate full well.
We speak of all Your mighty deeds and all Your greatness tell!

Then shall we all the glorious fame of Your great goodness sing – 
Your righteousness, Your gracious Name, Your mercy: praise we bring!
Your steadfast love remains the same, mercy our covering.

Your works shall thank You; all Your saints shall bless and praise You, Lord.
Your reign we bless without restraint; Your power fills our words.
Our children we shall educate in all Your splendor, Lord.

Your Kingdom evermore shall be; You reign forever, Lord!
Your works You do so faithfully, according to Your Word.
The falling You uphold and the oppressed You rescue, Lord!

The eyes of all look up to You to meet our needs each day.
Open Your hand, provide the food we need, O Lord, we pray!
Kindness and righteousness You do, O Lord, in every way!

Be near to all who call on You; all those who fear You, bless.
Preserve all those whose love is true; save us in our distress.
Our mouths will speak with praise of You; Your holy Name we’ll bless!

T. M. Moore

The seven lessons in this week’s study in the book of Joshua, and all previous weeks, are available as free downloads by clicking here.

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Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click hereAnd when you order, we’ll send you a free copy of Bricks and Rungs: Poems on Calling.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
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