Congratulations, this is day 100 of our reading the Bible.

As Joshua 23 opens Israel has been at peace for a long time. Joshua is an old man and he addresses the people

of Israel. He reminds then that God is keeping them safe because they are being faithful to the commandments God has given them. Joshua encourages them to continuing obeying the Lord by staying separate from the nations that still reside in their lands. They should not intermarry or be involved with their gods.  If they disobey God in this manner they will kindle God’s anger and He will let them be taken by the nations He has staved off.

In Joshua 24 Joshua recounts the history of the people from the beginnings with Terah and Abraham until the present. He gives them a choice to serve the gods of other nations or to serve the Lord and says to them, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people answer that it is the Lord who has brought them to this place and they will serve Him because He is their God.

Joshua responds that they cannot serve the Lord if they serve other gods. The people state again that they will serve the Lord. Again Joshua has the people witness that they will serve the Lord. Joshua makes a covenant with the people and puts is on a stone along with the law of God. He places the stone in the sanctuary and states that it will serve as a witness against them if they choose to disobey God. Joshua sends the people home to their inheritances.

Joshua dies and is buried in his town. The bones of Joseph, which had been brought with the people from Egypt, are buried in Shechem.

Romans 15 opens with Paul saying that those who are strong should put up with those who are weak. We must please our neighbor in order to build them up. So, who is the strong and who is the weak? I think if we understand that we are strong and everyone else is weak, then we will be certain to build up the other and not insist on our own way. Paul tells us to welcome everyone as Christ has welcomed us even in the midst of our sin.