Israel now enters into another period of transition as Joshua ages. Who will be the new leader, how shall Israel live and survive? These are questions that Joshua begins to answer in his farewell discourse that begins in Joshua 23. Joshua gathers the people and exhorts them to remain committed to the covenant. He repeatedly refers to the Divine Warrior who had lead Israel in conquest of the Promised Land. He warns then against becoming like others who previously lived in land and turning away from God. If Israel fails to follow God, then God will refuse to drive out other peoples from the land. Given what will happen in the next book, this is a significant statement. Further, on three occassions he tells the Israelites might be expelled from the land should they fail to live into the covenant. In essence, Israel will not "live" without God, and like Moses before him, he encourages Israel to choose life.
Joshua continues in Joshua 24 to speak of the work of God. He recites the history of Israel, going back to Abraham and how God has guided Israel to the place that they now reside. He recounts the times that God has acted to save Israel and lead them to liberation and victory. But, he realizes that the choice to follow God is a free choice and so he challenges Israel to do so. When Israel initially say yes to the covenant, he warns them again that this will be hard, do they really want to do this? But Israel remains committed and Joshua renews the covenant with Israel.
The end of the Book of Joshua occurs with the passing of Joshua and Eleazar. The leaders that the Lord raised up after Moses and Aaron died, have now died. Who will lead Israel?
If you seek this answer, then continue in the journey to the Book of Judges.
Romans 15
Paul continues in emphasis the need for unity of the early believers and he offers Jesus as the example. Jesus, who was the strongest, was willing to put up with the "weak", and so should we. Through our willingness to live for others in our community, we can live in harmony. This harmony then leads to one great voice extolling the glory of God.
The unity of the community of believers include Gentile and Jewish members of it. While I would assume that Paul is referring to just the church, it is not out of the realm for Paul to referring to all Jews and Gentiles living in the unity of Christ, for he has already demonstrated that Israel are still God's Chosen.
As Paul begins to draw the letter to a close, he points out that the church of Rome has already received wonderful teachings and that they themselves have many gifts and a vast knowledge. However, Paul felt compelled to write the letter to emphasize some points of concern. At the heart of these concerns is Paul's fervent belief that both Jew and Gentile have been welcomed into this new work of God, and he rejoices (and boasts) in his ministry to the Greeks.
It is this ministry that has kept Paul from coming to Rome sooner but now he is beginning to prepare to come to Rome after he first returns to Jerusalem. Once Paul takes the collection gathered from Macedonia and Greece for the needy of Jerusalem, he will turn his sites on Rome and the West.
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