Anchor My Faith

Lesson Title: Renewing the Covenant: Choosing to Serve the Lord

Section 1: Joshua 22:1–9 – The Eastern Tribes Return Home

Overview:
After years of fighting alongside their brothers to conquer the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are released by Joshua to return to their land east of the Jordan. Joshua commends them for their faithfulness to God and to the other tribes. He exhorts them to continue loving the Lord, walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments. They return home with great wealth from the spoils of war, demonstrating that obedience and unity among God’s people bring blessing.

Theological Themes:

• Faithfulness to God’s commands.
• Unity among God’s people.
• Blessing that follows obedience.

Key Verse:
Joshua 22:5 – “Only be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why does Joshua commend the eastern tribes before sending them home?
   Answer: They faithfully kept their promise to help the other tribes conquer the land before returning to their own inheritance.
2. What instructions does Joshua give them for their future?
   Answer: To remain devoted to the Lord, obey His commands, and serve Him wholeheartedly.
3. What does this passage teach about unity among believers?
   Answer: God’s people must work together faithfully and support one another in fulfilling God’s purposes.

Section 2: Joshua 22:10–34 – The Altar of Witness

Overview:
After returning to their land, the eastern tribes build a large altar near the Jordan River. The western tribes misunderstand the action, believing it to be rebellion against God, since the law required sacrifices to be offered only at the tabernacle. Preparing for war, they send a delegation led by Phinehas to confront the eastern tribes. The eastern tribes explain that the altar was not for sacrifice but as a witness to future generations that they share in the worship of the same God. The misunderstanding is resolved, and unity is preserved among the tribes.

Theological Themes:

• The importance of communication and understanding among God’s people.
• Protecting covenant faithfulness.
• Unity preserved through truth and reconciliation.

Key Verse:
Joshua 22:27 – “But to be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we do perform the service of the LORD in his presence with our burnt offerings and sacrifices and peace offerings.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why did the western tribes initially react so strongly to the altar?
   Answer: They feared the eastern tribes were turning away from God and violating the covenant.
2. How was the conflict resolved?
   Answer: Through communication and explanation, revealing that the altar was meant as a symbol of unity, not rebellion.
3. What lesson does this passage teach about resolving conflict?
   Answer: Honest conversation and seeking truth can prevent division and restore unity.

Section 3: Joshua 23:1–16 – Joshua’s Farewell Warning

Overview:
Near the end of his life, Joshua gathers Israel’s leaders and reminds them of God’s faithfulness in giving them the land. He urges them to remain faithful to the Law of Moses and to avoid associating with the surrounding nations or worshiping their gods. Joshua warns that just as God faithfully fulfilled His promises of blessing, He will also fulfill His warnings of judgment if Israel turns away. Their continued blessing depends on their obedience to God.

Theological Themes:

• God’s faithfulness to His promises.
• The danger of compromise with worldly influences.
• The necessity of covenant obedience.

Key Verse:
Joshua 23:14 – “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls… that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What does Joshua remind Israel about God’s promises?
   Answer: Every promise God made has been fulfilled, proving His faithfulness.
2. Why does Joshua warn them about the surrounding nations?
   Answer: Their idolatry could lead Israel away from worshiping the true God.
3. What principle about obedience does Joshua emphasize?
   Answer: Continued blessing depends on continued faithfulness to God.

Section 4: Joshua 24:1–28 – Choose Whom You Will Serve

Overview:
Joshua gathers all the tribes at Shechem and recounts God’s saving acts from Abraham through the conquest of Canaan. He reminds the people that everything they possess came from God’s grace. Joshua then challenges them to choose whom they will serve, the gods of their ancestors or the Lord. The people respond with a commitment to serve the Lord. Joshua renews the covenant, establishes statutes, and records the agreement in the Book of the Law of God.

Theological Themes:

• God’s grace throughout Israel’s history.
• The necessity of personal commitment to serve the Lord.
• Covenant renewal and faithfulness.

Key Verse:
Joshua 24:15 – “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why does Joshua recount Israel’s history before calling them to choose?
   Answer: To remind them of God’s faithfulness and grace throughout their history.
2. What does Joshua mean by “choose this day whom you will serve”?
   Answer: Faith requires a deliberate decision to follow and worship the Lord alone.
3. Why is Joshua’s declaration about his household significant?
   Answer: It models leadership and personal commitment to serving God.

Section 5: Joshua 24:29–33 – The Legacy of Joshua

Overview:
Joshua dies at the age of 110 and is buried in the land he helped secure for Israel. The people continue serving the Lord during the lifetime of the elders who knew Joshua and witnessed God’s mighty works. The bones of Joseph are finally buried in the Promised Land, fulfilling a promise made centuries earlier. The chapter concludes with the death of Eleazar the priest, marking the end of an era of leadership that guided Israel into the land.

Theological Themes:

• Faithful leadership and spiritual legacy.
• God’s long-term faithfulness to His promises.
• The importance of remembering God’s works.

Key Verse:
Joshua 24:31 – “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What does Joshua’s life teach about leadership?
   Answer: Faithful leaders guide others to trust and obey God.
2. Why is the burial of Joseph’s bones significant?
   Answer: It fulfills a promise made during Israel’s time in Egypt, showing God’s long-term faithfulness.
3. What challenge does this passage leave for future generations?
   Answer: Each generation must remember God’s works and choose to follow Him.