“And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph.”
Context: Joshua 24 concludes with Joshua’s farewell address to the Israelites, where he reminds them of God’s faithfulness and urges them to choose whom they will serve. After the people affirm their commitment to the Lord, Joshua sets up a stone as a witness and writes down the covenant in the Book of the Law of God.
The Bones of Joseph: The verse starts by mentioning the bones of Joseph. This refers to the remains of Joseph, the son of Jacob (Israel), who was sold into slavery in Egypt but eventually rose to a position of power. Before his death, Joseph made the Israelites promise to take his bones with them when they left Egypt (Genesis 50:25). This was a symbolic act that demonstrated their faith in God’s promise to bring them back to the Promised Land.
Buried in Shechem: The verse states that the bones of Joseph were buried in Shechem. Shechem was a city located in the region of Samaria, between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Shechem held significant historical and spiritual importance for the Israelites. It was the place where God appeared to Abraham when he first entered the land (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Jacob settled after returning from Paddan-aram (Genesis 33:18-20).
Purchased by Jacob: The verse mentions that the parcel of ground where Joseph’s bones were buried was bought by Jacob from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This refers to the events recorded in Genesis 33:18-19 and Genesis 48:22, where Jacob acquired this land. The significance of this detail is that it highlights the connection between the Israelites and the land of Shechem, reinforcing their ties to the Promised Land.
Inheritance of the Children of Joseph: Finally, the verse states that the burial site of Joseph became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. This indicates that the land in Shechem was designated as an inheritance for the descendants of Joseph, specifically the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph’s sons. The fulfillment of this promise is seen later when the land is divided among the tribes of Israel (Joshua 17:14-18).
Lessons from Joshua 24:32:
- Faithful Remembrance: The act of burying Joseph’s bones in Shechem reminds us of the importance of remembering God’s promises and remaining faithful to His covenant. The Israelites fulfilled their promise to Joseph by carrying his bones for generations until they reached the Promised Land. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of passing down faith to future generations.
- Connection to the Promised Land: Shechem was a significant location for the Israelites, representing their connection to the Promised Land. The purchase of the land by Jacob emphasized their ownership and inheritance of the land. It reminds us of the significance of the land promised by God and the importance of valuing and preserving the inheritance we have in Christ.
- Family and Tribal Unity: The fact that Joseph’s burial site became the inheritance of his children highlights the unity and cohesion within the family and tribes of Israel. It signifies the importance of maintaining unity and working together as a family or community to preserve and pass down the legacy of faith to future generations.
Overall, Joshua 24:32 reminds us of the faithfulness of God, the significance of our inheritance, and the importance of unity in carrying out God’s promises.
