Joshua23

Joshua 24:1-13

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

1.  In these first thirteen verses of this chapter, Joshua recaps the history of the Nation of Israel as told by non other that God Himself.  The disciple Stephen, when challenged by the council of the “Synagogue of the Freedmen,” gave a considerably more detailed summary.  (Acts 7:1-45)  We, as Christians, to defend our faith, should be able to relate the basic history leading up to Jesus’ first coming.

            In your own words, recount the significant events of the bible from Abraham to Jesus.

2.  Verse 1 tells us that all the tribes assembled at Shechem.  What is the significance of meeting there?  (Geneses 12:6-7)

3.  Aside from the additional detail in Stephen’s summary, Joshua’s summary only goes up to the conquest of Canaan, his present day.  But there is a more significant distinction.  In these verses, Joshua, in conveying God’s words, uses “I” eighteen times.  Eighteen times in these few verses, the Lord tell us what He did for the Israelites. 

            In what aspects of this brief history did God play a part?

4.  In Joshua 24:10 the Lord states “I was not willing to listen to Balaam.”  This may not seem like a significant event, but this was one of the events the Lord had Joshua remind the people about.  Read Chapter 22 of Numbers (particularly vs. 10-12) and explain this passage.