• The Land Promise Fulfilled: Joshua 18-24

    God had promised to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, that they would possess the land God had shown him, and that through his seed (Jesus) all the families of earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-7). While in Egypt, Abraham’s descendants grew into a great nation. Their “defining moment” came when they departed from Egypt and received their own Law from God through Moses (cf. Exod. 19-20). However, before they would receive the land promise, they would spend 40 years in the wilderness.

    Finally, under Joshua’s leadership, they conquered the land of Canaan and divided it up according to their tribes as God had commanded. Before Moses died, he told the people that if they remained faithful to God, He would bless them “in the land which the Lord your God gives you” (Deut. 28:8). Their blessings would be great. However, the warning was also given that if they did not continue to obey God, then they would lose the blessings God was offering, including the land. All they needed to do was listen to God.

    As God promised through Moses, the land promise was finally fulfilled. So complete was the fulfillment, that it was written: “So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers, and no one of all their enemies stood before them; the LORD gave all their enemies into their hand. Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass” (Josh. 21:43-45; cf. 23:14).

    Discussion
    1. Name and discuss the promises given to Abraham. When were they each fulfilled? How do you know?

    2. At what point is the land promise said to be fulfilled? How much of it was fulfilled?

    3. What were the conditions for the Israelites to enter and maintain the land God gave to them?

    4. Read Joshua 24 again. Discuss the significance of Joshua’s conviction. What commands and warnings did he give to Israel? How long did the nation serve the Lord?