Today's readings: Joshua 22-24 and Psalm 132.
I. In Joshua 22, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh are released by Joshua to return to their homes east of the Jordan River after helping the other Israelites conquer the Promised Land. They built a memorial altar to God by the Jordan River, which the others mistook for a rival altar for worship, violating God's commands. Because of this, they prepared for war, but peace was restored when it was explained that this was a witness to their faith in God, not a separate place for sacrifice. The zeal they have for God is good, but this episode shows how easily they can be led astray when misunderstandings arise.
The next chapter gives an exhortation by Joshua, years later and now an old man, to remain faithful to God and the covenant, warning that failing to do so would bring great calamity upon them in punishment.
Joshua 24 gives Joshua's final assembly of all Israel at Shechem and serves as the conclusion of the book. The mighty acts that God has done for Israel are first recounted, followed by Joshua challenging the people to choose whom they will serve: the pagan gods of their ancestors or the God of Israel. Israel chooses to serve God and renews the covenant with Him, and soon after Joshua dies at a 110 years old.
[A]s for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Josh 24:15)
II. Psalm 132 is, as the Ignatius Bible notes:
A royal psalm. Its focus is twofold: (1) David's oath to find a permanent home for the Ark of the Covenant; and (2) God's oath to grant David an everlasting kingship over his people. These two halves of the psalm follow the story of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem (= 2 Sam 7). Solomon cited words closely resembling 132:8-10 when he dedicated the Temple (2 Chron 6:41-42). Psalm 132 is featured in the Church's liturgy as the responsorial psalm for the vigil of the Solemnity of the Assumption, reflecting the tradition that the ark is a type of Mary. (p. 944)
That's it for today!
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