Joshua 24:1-13

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Joshua's Farewell Address, Part One

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God is sovereign over nature for His people.

  2. God is sovereign over history for His people

  3. God is sovereign over mankind for His people.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Make sure you hear the rest of the story.

QUESTIONS

  1. List Joshua's three farewell addresses in Joshua 22-24.

  2. Where did Joshua's final farewell address to all of the people take place?

  3. What had happened previously in this place?

  4. Why were there two covenant renewals?

  5. What did Joshua summarize in the first part of this covenant renewal?

  6. In Joshua 24, we see that God is sovereign, in full control, over three areas. Name these three areas.

ANSWERS

  1. Joshua 22 - Joshua's farewell address to the two and one-half tribes who lived on the east side of the Jordan River; Joshua 23 - Joshua's farewell address to the leaders of Israel; Joshua 24 - Joshua's final farewell address to all of Israel.

  2. At Shechem.

  3. It was where Israel had ratified God's covenant soon after the battles of Jericho and Ai, probably about twenty-five years before this.

  4. Why not? It never hurts to renew a covenant before God, especially after twenty-five years. Covenant renewal is a good practice.

  5. He summarized God's faithfulness to His people, especially in the way He chose, protected and guided Israel. See also Psalm 44:1-3.

  6. Over nature, history and mankind. That is, God is in full control over all these areas, and makes them work together for the good of His people.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. List Old Testament examples or evidences of God's sovereign control over nature for His people. Consider New Testament examples. Consider current evidences of God's sovereign control over nature for His people.

  2. List Old Testament examples of God's sovereign control over history for His people. Consider New Testament examples. Consider current evidences of God's sovereign control over history for His people.

  3. List Old Testament examples of God's control over mankind for His people. Consider New Testament examples. Consider current evidences of God's sovereign control over mankind for His people.

CHALLENGE

  1. In times past, the present seemed dark, but when the whole story was played out, it was different. Are you going through a dark period right now? Be patient and wait for God to finish the story. Read Romans 8:28 and 1 Corinthians 2:9. Trust Him, who is sovereign over nature, history and mankind.

KEY VERSES

  • "I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build, and you live in them and eat from the vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant." (Joshua 24:13)

  • "God works all things for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28)

  • "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Joshua, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidJOSHUA 24:1-13