Who did Joshua give commands to?
How were the officers to disseminate the information from Joshua?
What were the people supposed to do before they crossed over the Jordan?
How many days’ warning did Joshua give the people?
Why were they crossing over the Jordan? Who gave the land to them?
What three tribes, then, did Joshua specifically speak to?
Whose message did Joshua remind those three tribes of?
What land was the three tribes going to settle in?
Who was to stay in the land on that side of the Jordan? What were the men supposed to do?
At what point could the men from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh return to their families and their new land?
How did Joshua describe the location of the three tribes’ land?
Did the men of those tribes agree to what Joshua told them?
Who else did they say they had obeyed?
What did the tribesmen say should happen to those who did not obey Joshua?
What encouragement did they finish with?

Thought Questions

Was the administration of the Israelite camp organized, or was it just a group of disorganized wanderers?
What comfort does it give you to read about the fulfillment of a long-awaited promise? What have you been waiting for God to accomplish in your life? Do you believe God keeps His promises?
Although God was fulfilling His part of the promise, what action did He require of His people? What action might God be asking you to fulfill on your part in His promises to you?
What would the three tribes who were settling east of the Jordan River get out of the deal to help their brothers? What are some situations where we might be required to help others around us for their sake? At what risk?
Was Joshua asking a lot? How did they respond?
Were the people completely truthful in their response to Joshua in verse 17? (See for example Deuteronomy 1:26-28, 34-40)
How can we sincerely respond to God’s commands to us? How about to His chosen leaders on earth? Do we?
What do you think of the people’s response in verse 18?

My prayer is:
That I would remember the fulfillment of the promises God had given to His people the Israelites, and be encouraged that He is able to fulfill His promises in my life as well;
To understand that many times the fulfillment of God’s promises may require sacrifice on my part, possibly even as a benefit to others rather to myself;
And to truly, sincerely be able to say to God and His chosen leaders on earth, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”