Joshua Named as Successor

“Aware that his death is imminent, Moses is quite naturally concerned about the future leadership of Israel and asks for God’s guidance in the selection of his replacement.  It must be gratifying for Moses to learn that God has chosen Joshua, who has been Moses’ faithful protégé for over 40 years.”

Read Numbers 27:15-23

Two-and-a-Half Tribes East of Jordan

“Moses is approached by the men of Gad and Reuben, who have decided that they prefer to settle east of the Jordan River.  Moses is at first skeptical, thinking that perhaps the men are making the request in order to avoid fighting for Canaan.  When assured that the men will help conquer the promised land, Moses agrees to their request.”

Numbers 32 and Deuteronomy 4:41-43

Preparations for Conquest and Settlement

“God warns the Israelites in advance that when they enter Canaan they must drive out all of its inhabitants and completely destroy the idolatry rampant in the land.  (Needless to say in light of their past experience, the Israelites will not wholly comply with God’s directive and will therefore fall repeatedly into religious apostasy.)

The land which God has for centuries promised to give to his people is the land of Canaan, the borders of which God carefully delineates.”

Numbers 33:50-56, Deuteronomy 25:17-19, Numbers 34 and Numbers 35:1-8

All quotations taken from The Daily Bible.