Chapter 22--The war is over (except some of the territory within each tribe's boundaries that they will be expected to conquer themselves).  It is now time for Joshua to dismiss the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the 1/2 tribe of Manasseh, so they return to their land on the other side of the Jordan...and enjoy their families once again.  Joshua does 5 things:

• he dismisses them with a good character--they did everything that was required of them, both by Moses & Joshua (vv.2-3)
• he dismisses them to the land of their possession--  As part of the agreement to receive their land, they had to help their other tribes possess their land.  Once that was accomplished, they were free to go home.  (v.4)
• he dismisses them with good counsel--He reminded them of what God expected of them to continue prospering...to obey the commandments, love the Lord, walk in all His ways, and to serve Him with heart & soul.  (v.5)
• he dismisses them with a blessing (vv.6-7)
• he dismissed them with pay--their share of the spoil...silver, gold, bronze, iron, clothes, etc.  (v.8)

   No sooner than they are dismissed...that trouble brews.  They build an altar on their side of the Jordan to remind them of the altar of God located in Shiloh.  It was built to keep them close to God.  But the other tribes misinterpreted their action...as an attempt to worship another god.  War almost broke out among the children of Israel!
    But cooler heads prevailed.  A delegation of the 91/2 tribes went to the 21/2 tribes to find out what was going on.  After hearing the explanation, they were satisfied...and there was peace in the land.

Note:  After the problem with idolatry at Peor (under Balaam's counsel to the Amorites), and the judgment against Achan after Jericho, the children of Israel were a little "gunshy" about any hint of wrongdoing.  They were prepared to destroy their own kinsman...in order to maintain spiritual integrity.   If only they kept that fervor.
    If only Christians would demonstrate that same fervor for maintaining purity of faith. 

Chapter 23-- Joshua delivers his farewell address to the people.  He is "old, advanced in age."  He gathers the people together for one last address.  After fighting for so many years to receive the favor & blessings of God...he exhorts them to continue the course of obedience.  He also warns them once again of the consequences of disobedience. 
   Joshua reminds them that not one good thing that God had promised had failed to come to pass...because of their faithfulness.  But he also tells them that just as God brought good things to them for their obedience...He will bring harmful things to them for disobedience!

     Point to Ponder--Have you ever known a family whose father (or grandfather) worked sacrificially to build up a successful, reputable business...only to have it fail after it was passed down to the next generation.  For whatever reason, the heirs to the business did not learn from their father...or chose not to follow their father's example.  
    Moses & Joshua poured their very lives into the well-being of the children of Israel.  Yet they were both afraid that after they were gone...the nation would not follow their example, and eventually would be judged by God.   

    I wonder if some church elders feel the same way.  After pouring years into the growth & success of a church, they look at the next generation of leaders...and shake their heads. 

Chapter 24--Joshua calls the people to make a decision.  Before they disperse to their inheritance...he challenges them to make a choice right now:"...choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my hourse, we will serve the Lord" (v.15)
    The people choose God, and Joshua made a covenant with them.  He set up a stone as a witness to that covenant, for them to remember what they did.  And he sends them on their way to their inheritance.  The Book of Joshua closes with the death of Joshua at the age of 110, his burial...and the burial of Joseph (whose bones were brought out from Egypt) & Eleazar.

Note:  The life of Joshua is an example of a person wholly committed to God.  He did whatever was asked of him:  from leading in battle, to ministering at the tent of meeting, to spying out the land...to finally, leading the nation of Israel on a military campaign to claim their inheritance.  In all that he did...he remained faithful and true to God.
    If Joshua was married and had children, we don't hear of it.  Everything about him was focused on his devotion & obedience to God.