Lesson 77

Joshua 11–24

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Music, especially the hymns of the Church, can invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. To help you feel reverent, consider listening to a hymn before you begin your study.

Begin your study with prayer.

When we remain close to Heavenly Father, He can help us to make righteous decisions. However, He does not usually show us exactly what the outcomes of these decisions will be. When have you followed a prompting without being sure of the outcome?

As you watch the following video, think about why it is important to be obedient to God and to continue to move forward even when you are not certain what the outcome of your actions will be. You can read the text for this video here: Henry B. Eyring, “God Helps the Faithful Priesthood Holder,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2007, 56–57.

The Promised Land

Do you have any concerns about potentially leaving your home and living somewhere new as you get older and become independent from your family?

As you study Joshua 11–24, look for principles that can help you make the right choices as you become more independent.

The Israelites’ obtaining the promised land can be compared to when a young adult is preparing to leave home. The Lord had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, taken care of them in the wilderness, and prepared them to make and keep covenants. In Joshua 11 we read how the Israelites were able, with the Lord’s help, to possess the promised land.

Like all of us, the Israelites still depended on the Lord when they entered into the promised land. However, they were more spiritually mature now and were prepared to take greater responsibility for themselves.

The Tribes’ Inheritances

The accompanying map shows how the promised land was divided among the tribes of Israel. From Joshua 12–21 we learn that Joshua gave each tribe an inheritance in the promised land and that the tabernacle was set up at a place called Shiloh (see Joshua 18:1). The Levites were not given a specific piece of land but were given 48 cities among each of the other tribes’ inheritances. This would allow the Levites to continue their priesthood service among the Israelites.

Read Joshua 21:43–45, looking for how the Lord had blessed the Israelites.

Joshua’s Counsel to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh

Joshua 22 records that Joshua gave some parting advice to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, who would soon be leaving to make their homes on the east side of the Jordan River. Read Joshua 22:4–5, looking for Joshua’s counsel to these tribes.

Joshua’s Counsel to Israel

In Joshua 23:1–5, 10 we read that after several years of peace, Joshua had grown old, and he gathered all of the Israelites together to counsel them. He reminded the Israelites of what God had done and would continue to do for them. God had fought and would continue to fight for Israel (see verses 3, 5, 10). He had given Israel land for an inheritance (see verse 4) and would expel the remnants of conquered nations from the promised land (see verse 5). God had kept and would continue to keep His promises to Israel (see verses 5, 10).

Read Joshua 23:6–11, looking for what Joshua counseled the Israelites to do. You may want to mark what you find. As it is used in verse 8, the word cleave means to cling, adhere, or be loyal to something or someone.

Quiz 1

1. What did Joshua counsel the Israelites to do? Select all that apply.

   1. Marry people of other nations

   2. Be very courageous

   3. Love and serve the gods of other nations

   4. Keep the law of Moses

   5. Cleave unto the Lord

   6. Love the Lord

2. From what we have learned from Joshua 23:3–11, what can we do to have the Lord with us and strengthen us?

   1. We can worship other gods.

   2. We can cleave unto the Lord and obey Him.

   3. We don’t need to do anything to receive His blessings.

The Lord Will Be with Us

From what we have learned from Joshua 23:3–11, we can identify the principle that if we cleave unto the Lord and obey Him, then He will be with us and strengthen us.

1. Answer the following questions:

• What behaviors or actions might you see in a person who is trying to cleave unto the Lord?

• Whom do you know who is a good example of someone cleaving unto the Lord?

• How have you seen the Lord bless that person for being devoted to Him?

The Other Nations Could Be like Thorns

Have you ever been pricked by thorns?

The remnants of the other nations in the promised land had the potential to be like thorns to the Israelites. Read Joshua 23:12–16, looking for what consequences Israel would experience if they chose to serve the gods of these other nations.

From what we learn in these verses, what could happen to us if we cleave to other gods?

We Will Suffer Negative Consequences

From Joshua 23:12–16 we can learn the principle that if we cleave to other gods, we will bring negative consequences upon ourselves and lose the blessings of the Lord.

What are some things people might cleave unto instead of the Lord? What could be some negative consequences or lost blessings for doing so?

How Do You Feel?

Think of someone in your life who has done a lot for you. How do you feel about that person?

We read in Joshua 24 that Joshua related to Israel the things God said He had done for them and their ancestors. Scan Joshua 24:2–13, looking for things God had done for the Israelites.

If you had been an ancient Israelite, what feelings might you have had toward God after being reminded of what He had done for you?

Joshua’s Invitation

Read Joshua 24:14–16, looking for Joshua’s invitation to Israel and Israel’s response.

What principle can we identify from verses 2–16 about how remembering what the Lord has done for us affects our determination to love and serve Him?

“Choose You This Day”

From Joshua 24:2–16 we can learn that remembering what God has done for us strengthens our resolve to love and serve Him. (See also 2 Nephi 1:1–3.)

Joshua 24:15 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them more easily.

You may want to read Joshua 24:15 several times so you can become more familiar with this passage.

The phrase “this day” suggests that we should choose to be devoted to the Lord earlier rather than later in life. The phrase “but as for me and my house” indicates that Joshua chose this path for himself, regardless of what others might choose.

What principle about agency can we learn from this verse?

We Can Choose

From Joshua 24:15 we can identify the principle that we can choose to serve the Lord regardless of what others choose.

2. Answer one or both of the following questions:

• What are some specific circumstances when we can choose to serve the Lord regardless of what others choose?

• When have you or someone you know chosen to follow the Lord regardless of what others chose to do?

The Israelites Covenant to Serve the Lord

In Joshua 24:17–33 we read that the Israelites covenanted to serve the Lord. Joshua designated a great stone as a reminder of this covenant. The people served the Lord throughout the rest of Joshua’s life and for many years after he died. Also, we read that the children of Israel buried Joseph’s bones, which they had brought with them from Egypt, in the promised land.

Spiritual Promptings

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• If we cleave unto the Lord and obey Him, then He will be with us and strengthen us.

• If we cleave to other gods, we will bring negative consequences upon ourselves and lose the blessings of the Lord.

• Remembering what God has done for us strengthens our resolve to love and serve Him.

• We can choose to serve the Lord regardless of what others choose.

Take a minute to ponder how you can choose to serve the Lord today. Act on any ideas or promptings you receive. You may want to share with others what you learned about how to show the Lord that you love Him and want to follow Him.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b, d, e, f; (2) b