Joshua 21:43 (ESV) … “Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there.”
This verse first of all recalls God’s promise that he would give the land to Israel, one of the leading motifs of the book (1:2–3, 6, 11, 13, 15; 2:9, 24; 5:6; 6:2, 16; 8:1, 7; 10:8, etc.). This giving of the land was in keeping with the oathsworn by God to the forefathers (1:6; cf. Gen. 24:7; 26:3; 50:24). This oath is also recalled in other books of the Pentateuch (Num. 11:12; 14:16, 23; Deut. 1:8, 35; 6:10, etc.).
The view of a completed conquest and settlement in the land which God had given must also be seen against the background of the patriarchal stories which first mention the oath made to the forefathers. These patriarchs could not call any part of the land that God promised them their own except a grave or two in which to bury their beloved dead. Compared to that, how rich the fulfilment of the promise now appeared![1]
As the day draws closer and closer to the Lord’s promised return, we have great encouragement knowing the promises of God will be fulfilled to us. Our Lord is faithful!
[1] Woudstra, M. H. (1981). The Book of Joshua (p. 314). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
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