“So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance.”
This verse occurs at the conclusion of Joshua’s farewell address to the people of Israel. Let’s break it down and explore its meaning in context.
Context of the Passage: Joshua 24 is the final chapter of the book of Joshua, where Joshua gathers the people of Israel together at Shechem, just before his death. He reminds them of God’s faithfulness and challenges them to remain faithful to the Lord. The chapter highlights Israel’s covenant with God and their decision to serve Him alone.
- Joshua 24:14-15 is a key moment where Joshua urges the people to choose whom they will serve: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
- Joshua 24:16-27 records the people’s response, affirming their commitment to serve the Lord, followed by Joshua’s final words about the covenant and warning them not to turn away from God.
After this final declaration and reaffirmation of their covenant, the people respond affirmatively, saying they will indeed serve the Lord. In verse 28, after this significant moment of commitment, Joshua dismisses the people to their respective homes, marking the conclusion of this pivotal meeting.
Key Themes:
- Fulfillment of God’s Promise: By this time, the Israelites have entered the Promised Land and taken possession of it, as God had promised to their ancestors. Joshua’s leadership has been instrumental in the conquest and distribution of the land. Now, with the covenant renewed, the people are sent back to their inheritance in the land.
- The Significance of “Inheritance”: The term “inheritance” is central to the chapter. The inheritance refers to the land each tribe and family received as part of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This land symbolizes God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His provision for His people. The inheritance was not just about land but also about God’s continued presence and blessings.
- Joshua 24:29-30 confirms that after Joshua’s speech, he dies, marking the end of his leadership. The inheritance, then, is not merely a physical possession but also the legacy of the covenant relationship they have with God.
- Joshua’s Role as a Leader: This moment marks the final act of Joshua as a leader. He does not stay with the people but directs them to go back to their allotted land. He has already passed the baton of leadership to the elders, and the people are entrusted with living out their covenant with God.
Application to Us:
- Rest in God’s Promise: Just as the Israelites received their inheritance in the Promised Land, Christians today have an inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 1:11, 1 Peter 1:4). This inheritance is spiritual—eternal life, peace with God, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Like the Israelites, we are called to remain faithful to God in light of the promises He has made to us.
- Faithfulness and Responsibility: The Israelites were sent back to their inheritance with a call to remain faithful to God. This reminds us that, after we make our commitment to God, we are also sent out to live in that faithfulness in our daily lives. Our “inheritance” (in a spiritual sense) is not just something to be received, but something to be lived out.
- The Role of Leadership: Joshua’s leadership, and his final act of sending the people back to their inheritance, teaches us about the transition of leadership and the responsibility of each person in the community. Though Joshua’s leadership ends, the responsibility of covenant faithfulness does not. Each person must choose to live according to God’s commandments.
Reflections: God’s faithfulness to His promises is a consistent theme throughout the book of Joshua, and this verse underscores the reality that the people are now experiencing the fulfillment of what God had long promised. The phrase “every man unto his inheritance” suggests a personal responsibility. While the people are united as God’s covenant people, they are each responsible for their own faithfulness in the land God has given them. The dismissal of the people signals a shift from a central leader to a more decentralized governance, where each tribe is responsible for its own land and relationship with God.
Cross-References:
- Deuteronomy 1:8 – “Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.”
- Ephesians 1:11 – “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
- Colossians 1:12-14 – “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
Conclusion: Joshua 24:28 marks the end of a significant chapter in Israel’s history. It is a moment of transition where the people are sent to live out the covenant in their inheritance. For us today, it serves as a reminder of the importance of living out God’s promises and the personal responsibility we have to remain faithful to the Lord, recognizing that our inheritance is secured in Christ. The final act of Joshua speaks to both God’s faithfulness and the ongoing call to live according to His covenant.
