Joshua organized the people of Israel as a one fighting force against the divided force of their enemies.

Joshua led the people of Israel into battle fields during the wars of conquest of Canaan like in the town of Jericho.

He settled disputes among the Israelites. By doing this, he promoted and maintained justice in Israel.

Joshua distributed the conquered land equally among the twelve tribes of Israel. This could have to eliminate or reduce cases of land disputes (Joshua 18: 1ff).

Joshua helped the Israelites to observe monotheism. This helped to maintain the people's covenant relationship with God.

Joshua circumcised the people of Israel soon after reaching the Promised Land. He carried out this function at Gilgal in following God's command (Joshua 5:2ft).

Joshua helped to create unity among the people Israel. He organized them as one people and made them to rally behind him as their leader.

Joshua mobilized the people of Israel into a strong and one fighting force. This was one of the reasons they defeated their enemies.

Joshua organized and led the people of Israel into a covenant renewal in Shechem. On this occasion, the people of Israel confirmed the faith in God.

THE COVENANT RENEWAL AT SHECHEM

(Joshua 24:1ff)

The people of Israel renewed their covenant with God at Shechem after conquering and settling in Canaan under the guidance of Joshua.

This covenant was related to the Sinai covenant which their ancestors had made with God as they were on their way to the Promised Land.

Joshua gathered all the twelve tribes at Shechem in preparation for the renewing of their covenant with God.

Joshua called the elders, leaders, judges, and the officers in Israel into the presence of God before the covenant renewal.

Joshua reminded the people of Israel that their ancestors had long lived in this land and worshiped other gods.

Joshua reminded the Israelites that it was God who took Abraham from his original land and led him to land they had now occupied.

Joshua reminded Israel of the blessings God had given their ancestor, Abraham. He had blessed him with many descendants including Isaac, Jacob and Esau.

Joshua told the Israelites how their ancestor Jacob and his children went down to Egypt in search for food.

Joshua went on to remind Israel of how God sent Moses and Aaron and led them out of Egypt. In the process, he caused great troubles to the Egyptians.

Joshua reminded the Israelites of how God had brought them into the wilderness and given them victory over their enemies until when they entered Canaan.

Joshua reminded Israel of how God gave them the land they had never cultivated and the cities they did not build either.

Joshua showed the people that they were living in the land and eating the grapes from the wines they never planted and olives from the trees they did not plant.

Joshua urged the people of Israel to honour the Lord and serve him sincerely and faithfully.

Joshua called upon Israel to serve only God. They had to get rid of the gods that their ancestors served while in Mesopotamia and in Egypt.

Joshua urged the Israelites to choose between serving God and the gods of their ancestors. However, he commanded the people to serve God alone.

Joshua assured the people of Israel that his family would serve God only. This meant they had dedicated themselves in worshipping God.

The people of Israel assured Joshua that they would serve God only. This was a confirmation of their faith in God.

The people of Israel acknowledged all that God had done for them. He brought them out of their bondage in Egypt and kept them safe wherever they went.

Joshua reminded the Israelites that they were serving a holy God. They had to serve only him if their sins were to be forgiven.

Joshua reminded the Israelites about the character of God. He tolerates no rival and turning to other gods would bring punishment on to them.

Joshua warned the people of Israel that God would destroy them in case of any act of rebellion against him.

Joshua told the Israelites that they were witnesses to the fact that they were chosen to serve God alone.

The people of Israel assured Joshua that they would obey all the commands of God and serve only him.

Joshua gave the people of Israel laws and rules for them to follow and proceeded to write all the commands of God in a book of law.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COVENANT RENEWAL TO THE JEWS

It signified monotheism in Israel as Joshua urged the people to serve their God only with sincerity and faithfulness.

It showed the omnipotence of God as Joshua reminded the Israelites of how God destroyed their enemies including the Egyptians.

It created unity among the people of Israel who all assembled at Shechem and were reminded of their chosen status.

It proved the omnipresence of God for Joshua called everyone in the presence of the Lord at Shechem.

It reminded the Israelites about their history as being the chosen people and all that God had done for them. This was particularly important to the new generations.

It reminded the people about their responsibilities and obligations. They had to honour God and serve him sincerely and faithfully.

It confirmed to Israel as the chosen nation of God as Joshua reminded the Israelites that there were witnesses to the fact that they were chosen to serve God.

It signified the holiness of God as Joshua reminded the people of Israel that they were serving a holy God.

It was a call for obedience on the side of the people of Israel who also promised to obey all the commands of God.

It revealed God's character to the people of Israel. Joshua showed them that their God would not tolerate his rivals.

It signified God's protection over the Israelites. He brought them out of their Egyptian slavery and protected them against their enemies when they were in the wilderness.

The people of Israel acknowledged all that God had done for them. He brought them out of their bondage in Egypt and kept them safe wherever they went.

Joshua reminded the Israelites that they were serving a holy God. They had to serve only him if their sins were to be forgiven.

Joshua reminded the Israelites about the character of God. He tolerates no rival and turning to other gods would bring punishment on to them.

Joshua warned the people of Israel that God would destroy them in case of any act of rebellion against him.

Joshua told the Israelites that they were witnesses to the fact that they were chosen to serve God alone.

The people of Israel assured Joshua that they would obey all the commands of God and serve only him.

Joshua gave the people of Israel laws and rules for them to follow and proceeded to write all the commands of God in a book of law.

The significance of the covenant renewal to the Jews

It signified monotheism in Israel as Joshua urged the people to serve their God only with sincerity and faithfulness.

It showed the omnipotence of God as Joshua reminded the Israelites of how God destroyed their enemies including the Egyptians.

It created unity among the people of Israel who all assembled at Shechem and were reminded of their chosen status.

It proved the omnipresence of God for Joshua called everyone in the presence of the Lord at Shechem.

It reminded the Israelites about their history as being the chosen people and all that God had done for them. This was particularly important to the new generations.

It reminded the people about their responsibilities and obligations. They had to honour God and serve him sincerely and faithfully.

It confirmed to Israel as the chosen nation of God as Joshua reminded the Israelites that they were witnesses to the fact that they were chosen to serve God.

It signified the holiness of God as Joshua reminded the people of Israel that they were serving a holy God.

It was a call for obedience on the side of the people of Israel who also promised to obey all the commands of God.

It revealed God's character to the people of Israel. Joshua showed them that their God would not tolerate his rivals.

It signified God's protection over the Israelites. He brought them out of their Egyptian slavery and protected them against their enemies when they were in the wilderness.

It signified the theocratic nature of Israel. Joshua showed them that God was willing to guide them as their leader.

It enabled a new generation to enter into a personal relationship with God as they had not had any experience of him since the Sinai covenant.

Revision Questions

1. Comment on the covenant renewal at Shechem

2. Discuss the significance of the covenant renewal at Shechem to the Jews

3. Account for the covenant renewal at Shechem by the people of Israel

LESSONS CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM THE COVENANT RENEWAL

• Christians should worship only one God

• Christians should serve God with holiness

• Christians should respect God

• There is need for Christians to listen to religious leaders

• Christians should fulfill their promises

• Christians should be united

• Christian should pray to God for their protection

• Christian should confirm their faith

• Christians should serve God faithfully

• Christians should forgive their enemies

• Christians should serve as example to others