After Joshua led the Israelites to defeat the nations of Canaan and conquer the lands, God instructed him to divide the land to the tribes of Israel. Due to his faithfulness as a spy, Caleb also received an inheritance of the land. The Levites received cities throughout the lands and cities of refuge were established. As the major battles in conquering the land had ceased, the eastern tribes returned to their land. As they prepared to return home, Joshua instructed them to love God, remaining loyal to Him and serving Him. They returned with many spoils of war. When they returned, they built a large altar. The rest of Israel believed they were abandoning God and prepared to war against them. Yet the eastern tribes’ goal was not the abandonment of Yahweh, but a witness between the tribes on each side of the Jordan as a reminder that Yahweh is God. As the book comes to a close, Joshua has grown old. He encourages the nation of Israel to remain committed to God. He reminds them that it was God who accomplished the victory in the land and warns them that if they forget, God will drive them out of the land. The people insist that they will follow the LORD. The book concludes with the deaths of Joshua and Eleazar.

God had promised the Israelites the land of Canaan as their inheritance. As the Israelites were loyal and obedient to Him, he gave them victory over their enemies. They conquered the land and divided it up between themselves. Caleb, one of the original twelve spies, received a separate inheritance because of his belief in God. The tribes that lived east of the Jordan River returned home and set up an altar. The other Israelites thought they were abandoning God and planned to go to war against them, but the eastern tribes assured them that it was a reminder that they were on people, even if divided by a river. As Joshua reached the end of his life, he reminded the Israelites of God’s mighty deeds in giving them the land and challenged them to remain true to God. The people promised they would. Both Joshua and the priest Eleazar died and were buried in the Promised Land.

The children of Israel were faithful to God during the book of Joshua. They trusted God to give them victory in the land and He was faithful to do as He had promised. They received the land of blessing. Our churches need to remember that if we are faithful to God, He will deliver victory. We can find our rest in Him because He is the one fighting our battles.