In all, the Levites were given 48 towns, each with pastureland surrounding them. So the Lord gave the Israelites all he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Reubenites, Gadites and half of the tribe of Manasseh returned to the other side of the Jordan to their homes. When they came to Gelioth they built a large altar. When the rest of the Israelites heard about it they gathered at Shiloh to attack them. Before they attacked, they sent an envoy to talk to them, because they thought they had broken faith with them and rebelled against God and built an altar to another god. They explained that they didn't intend to offer sacrifices, but the altar was to stand as a statement that they were part of the Israelite nation. They weren't intending to rebel against the Lord, rather, they were trying to make it clear to everyone that they were God's people. They dedicated the altar to God.
By now Joshua was very old. He called the elders, leaders, judges and officials to talk to them. Joshua told them to remember all that the Lord had done for them. He told them to stay strong and obey all God's commandments. He told them not to mingle with the other nations to avoid being tempted to follow other ways. He told them if they remembered God, He would remember them. He urged them to remember that everything God said He would do, He did. Joshua reminded them not to serve other gods or they would quickly perish.
Tomorrow finish Joshua! Read Judges 1-2
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