Joshua Week 2

The second half of our two-week journey through Joshua leads us through a list of defeated kings, the division of the land, the establishment of cities of refuge, and a covenant renewal.

The covenant renewal at the end of Joshua serves as the climax of the story.  For a very long time, God has been promising his people that they will live in the land he will give them.  Finally, they are in the land and settled.  The covenant renewal reminds them that God is always faithful to his promises, even when his people are not.

Joshua challenges the people to give up the gods they have been worshiping and to give their full allegiance to God.  While they promise to do that, we know it's a promise they can't keep.  How much more we see God's steadfast love in both his covenant-making and covenant-keeping.  Imagine for a moment what would have happened if God didn't keep his covenant.  There would be no Jesus, no cross, no salvation.

As you read, keep in mind our reading questions.  Use these as general questions to keep in mind as you read to help formulate your reflections, observations, and questions.

Our guiding questions are these:

• What stood out to you in the reading?

• Was there anything confusing or troubling?

• Did anything make you think differently about God?

• How might what you read change the way you live?

Please post a comment below with some of your questions, comments, and reflections from this week's reading.