Actually we’ve come to the end of another Book of Scripture. (I don’t know how many Bible Books we’ve either studied in some detail or surveyed totally in the twelve plus years our Website has existed.)
Here is Joshua’s closing paragraph: “And it came to pass after these things, that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old. And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in mount Ephraim, on the north side of the hill of Gaash. And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel. And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.” Joshua 24:29-33, five verses of historically accurate Scripture.
1. Joshua died at age 110 (that’s right), having lived his life in faithfulness to God! The man exited the earth victoriously! His life (and testimony) ended well! Not all Bible characters did so. Noah was drunk, after the Ark episode! Hezekiah made a grave mistake in showing the enemy (the Babylonians) all Judah’s assets! Gideon went bad as well! And this begins a list that could be much longer.
This reminds me of Jesus’ Words in Revelation 2:10. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Well done, Joshua!
And look how very well Joshua and his aides had “trained” Judah to live for God. “And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.”
Wow!
2. The “bones of Joseph,” as he had long ago requested (commanded) were brought by the Jews from Egypt … and finally buried in the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land!
This (at least) shows a nation keeping its word to its forefathers. In America today we are trying to erase history, obliterating the accomplishments (unless they are politically correct) of our forefathers!
These “bones of Joseph” are mentioned four different times in the Bible! (Genesis 50:25 and Exodus 13:19 and here in Joshua 24:32 and lastly in Hebrews 11:22) They must be important!
These bones also illustrated the faith of that old Patriarch! Joseph believed God’s pledges so deeply … he commanded his children (descendants) to NOT leave him behind in Egypt (a symbol of the “world” in Scripture) … but take him (his bones) with them to the Promised Land!
3. Then Joshua closes with a report of the death of the High Priest Eleazar (son of Aaron) and his proper burial. “And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.”
Aaron’s death was also inscribed into the history books of Israel. (Twice, in fact! In Numbers 20:28 and again in Numbers 33:38-39.)
Thus I conclude that a High Priest’s Death was of great significance to God, in his Eyes. And that thought lets me close with a glance at the death of the greatest High Priest of All! Jesus Christ, God the Son!
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens (via Death and Resurrection and Ascension), Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Hebrews 4:14
“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; (Jesus)but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
“For such an High Priest (Jesus) became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” Wow, Hebrews 7:26!
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on (after His Death and Resurrection and Ascension) the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens.” Hebrews 8:1
Oh, how glorious! “But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His Own Blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:11-12
Our Great High Priest (Jesus) died indeed, but did not stay dead!
Having procured for us eternal salvation!
Praise be to Him forevermore!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell