A Fitting Memorial to the Christian Life. (Joshua 24: 29-33)

Welcome:

Episode Title: A Fitting Memorial to the Christian Life
Scripture Passage: Joshua 24:29-33

Episode Description:
In today’s episode, we close the book of Joshua by reflecting on the final resting places of three key biblical figures: Joseph, Joshua, and Eleazar. What do these memorials tell us about faithfulness, legacy, and God’s promises? Just as cemeteries can reveal much about a society, these biblical tombstones serve as enduring reminders of a life well-lived in faith.

Join us as we explore the significance of their burials and what they teach us about finishing well, serving God to the very end, and leaving behind a testimony that speaks beyond the grave. Will your life be a testament to faithfulness or a reminder of unfulfilled potential? Let’s examine these ancient memorials and find inspiration for our own walk with Christ.

Episode Highlights:

• How tombstones and memorials reveal the values of a community and a people.
• The burial of Joseph and the fulfilment of a centuries-old promise.
• The legacy of Eleazar, the faithful priest, and what his resting place signifies.
• Joshua’s final title—"The Servant of the Lord"—and what it means for us today.
• A challenge to live a life of unwavering faithfulness until the very end.

Key Takeaways:

• Faithfulness to God should not wane with age but grow stronger over time.
• Our legacy is measured not just by our own spiritual achievements but by how our faith influences others.
• The Bible calls us to serve God until our final breath, standing firm like the faithful before us.

Reflection Questions:

1. What kind of legacy are you building in your life?
2. Are you remaining faithful to God, even when it’s difficult?
3. How can you ensure that your life testifies to a commitment that lasts?

Thank you for listening to The Bible Project Daily Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this episode with others who may need encouragement to remain steadfast in their faith. May your life, like those of Joseph, Joshua, and Eleazar, stand as a fitting memorial to a life lived in devotion to the Lord.

Transcript

Buried in the Promised Land. (Joshua 24: 29-33)

Transcript: 

You can often learn a great deal about a community by visiting it’s cemetery. I know of someone who once visited an extraordinary graveyard in Guadalupe, where graceful marble angels towered above huge monothetic shrines, almost like public monuments. These memorials stood over the graves of the early Catholic Italian and Swiss dairy farmers, who were among the town’s first settlers and profited greatly from the land.  

In another section, where rows of modest headstones marked the resting places of single Filipino field workers who crossed the Pacific a few years later, hoping to work for those farmers and send a little home to their wives and families. 

My point is this: just as a cemetery can tell the story of a society. 

The closing verses of the book of Joshua speak volumes about the faithfulness of God and His people in the earliest and first detailed record of a society in human history. And it interesting what the resting place of it’s great heroes of faith tell us about it

As we turn to Joshua 24:29-33, we find the final closing chapter of Joshua’s story, which records for us the deaths and burials of key figures, in the story so far, namely Joseph, Joshua, and Eliezer.

It is intriguing to note that while the book of Joshua begins with the passing of a great leader Moses, whose death set the stage for Joshua’s leadership. And it ends with these tombstones. 

The narrative bookends itself with memorials, inviting us to reflect on legacy and faithfulness….

Buried in the Promised Land

29 After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 30 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 31 Israel served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel. 32 And Joseph’s bones, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the tract of land that Jacob bought for a hundred pieces of silver from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem. This became the inheritance of Joseph’s descendants. 33 And Eleazar son of Aaron died and was buried at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the hill country of Ephraim.

(Joshua 24: 29-33)

Let’s come at it slightly out of sequence and begin with verse 32, a fascinating verse which tells us: “The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at the tomb in Shechem.” 

Here, we pause to remember Joseph, one of the early patriarchs, the beloved son of Jacob, who at this point we need to remember had lived centuries before. 

It may seem surprising that the burial of Joseph is recorded at the end of Joshua. Many believe that this burial was deliberately placed here because the end of this book provided an appropriate space to record this crucial fulfillment of a promise. 

In Genesis, Joseph had made the Israelites swear that he would not be buried in Egypt but carried with them and interred later in the Promised Land. Now, as Joshua has finally lead the people into their new home, we see that promise was fulfilled: Joseph is finally buried within the borders of the promised land.

This record is more than a historical note; it is a monument to faithfulness. 

It reminds the nation that despite the many challenges, they honored their covenant and fulfilled the promises made to their forefathers.

Just as Joseph’s coffin was carried with the people throughout their journey from Egypt, so too is his burial a testimony to their steadfast commitment to God’s promises.

I’m reminded personally of this idea whenever I visit a cemetery. I’ve stood by my mother’s grave and at a bench dedicated to my mother-in-law in the pace she liked to sit.

You see a memorial is not just a marker of death but a monument to a life love, devotion and if we come from a Christian family, that persons faith also. 

The three buried figures—Joseph, Joshua, and Eliezer—stand as enduring symbols of a covenant fulfilled, a promise kept, and a legacy of faith that transcends time. 

They challenge us with a simple question: when you pass away, will your tombstone testify to a life of faithfulness or unfaithfulness? Consider Joseph’s tomb, a monument not merely marking a death, but declaring that a people once promised him and said, “We will bury you in Canaan.” And they did just that.

Now, let’s turn to the next memorial in this spiritual graveyard. Verse 33 tells us, “Eliezer, the son of Aaron, died, and they buried him on the hill in the mountains of Ephraim.”

Who was Eliezer? Elizier was the son and successor of Aaron, Israel’s high priest, and though he may not be as famous as Joshua, he was still an essential leader, he was Joshua’s trusted right hand man who helped administer the land and oversee the worship of God.

Yet there is an intriguing detail here: Eliezer was buried on property given to his son, Phinehas, a fact that appears to conflict with the usual arrangement for Levites, who were allocated cities rather than land. This detail has led to two possible explanations. 

Some suggest it marks the beginning of a departure from God’s original plan, a seed of divergence from the Word of God that would later expand in the book of Judges. However, this explanation seems unlikely to me since the text across the whole Pentateuch affirms that the people always recognized them as faithful servants of the Lord.

A more convincing explanation is that Eliezer and his family served so faithfully in priesthood that the people honored them above and beyond with a small parcel of land as a token of their gratitude. 

In the case of Eliezer, the gift of land can be seen as a tangible expression of the people’s appreciation for his faithful service.

This account of Eliezer’s burial, being placed alongside the memorials of Joseph and Joshua, attests to that but also serves as a powerful reminder: that our legacy will be defined by our faithfulness. 

As you consider your own life, ask yourself, will your final testament be one of unwavering commitment to the Lord, or will it reflect compromises and unfulfilled promises? 

Let these ancient monuments in the OT come alive for you today and inspire you to live a life that honors God, so that when your time comes, your memory will stand as a beacon of faithfulness.

You see I think these tombstones tell us something deeper than merely marking the end of a life, they serves as a testament to a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord and to others. 

It reminds us that faithfulness isn’t measured by a brief period of dedication, but by a steadfast commitment that endures until the very end. In fact, the longer one walks with the Lord, the stronger one should become spiritually. 

My experience running races. I personally found I ran better running negative splits. (Expand)

Unlike our natural tendency to start strong and then tire, a faithful life should grow stronger with age.

Ask yourself: as you grow older, are you more eager to serve, quicker to help, and more gracious than you were a year ago? These examples of biblical figures like Caleb and Eliezer shows us that faithful service does not diminish with time; rather, it should deepen and expands.

Now, let’s turn our attention to another tombstone, the final marker of Joshua himself. 

Joshua, is repeatedly referred to throughout Scripture as “the son of Nun.” This isn’t a casual remark; it underscores the profound influence his father had on him. Nun’s faithful character served as a model and molding influence for Joshua. In fact, the constant reminder that Joshua was “the son of Nun” highlights the enduring impact of a godly father.

Our lives and our actions should set an example for those who follow us also. Like Nun was his son, Joshua, our influence on our children and those around us is lasting, even if we are not always aware of it. They should stand as a memorial to a life of faith, well lived.

At the end of his life, Joshua is described in Scripture as “the son of Nun, but also as, “the servant of the Lord.” 

This designation is not given lightly; few are seen to be called “The servant of the Lord,” in the bible. It is a special title that speaks to the life he led, a life of unwavering commitment and humble service to God. 

Joshua’s legacy, encapsulated in that simple phrase, serves as a reminder that our ultimate measure is not in our achievements alone, but in our fidelity to God.

Thus, when you consider your own life and eventual memorial, ask yourself: will it bear witness to a life marked by faithful service, or will it be a marker of unfulfilled potential? 

For me I trust my memorial will be the Bible Project Daily Podcast, left on the internet long after I am gone as a resource for believers around the world in the future.

These tombstones aren’t merely markers for lives ended, they are a testament to lives lived in unwavering service to the Lord. It speaks not only of the duty performed in one season, but of a commitment that endured until the very end.

Someone who remains faithful throughout their life earns a legacy that outlasts their mortal frame. Just as a Roman sentry in Pompeii was found frozen in his post, having served faithfully, standing to the very end, so too should our lives bear witness to steadfast dedication.

Consider the simple truth: Whether we like it or not, we are all servants. In fact, by definition, we are slaves, either to our own sinful desires or, if we choose, to Jesus Christ. 

When a tombstone declares, “Here lies someone who served God,” it is proclaiming that this person committed fully to that servitude throughout his entire life. 

Joshua’s example is clear: Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua’s leadership, and his faithfulness not only shaped his own destiny but influenced the generations that followed.

The call is clear: you too must remain faithful until your final breath. As you age, your faith should not wane; instead, it should deepen, growing stronger and more vibrant over time. 

Ask yourself—are you becoming more responsive to the needs around you, more gracious, and more determined in your service to God than you were yesterday? The evidence of a life well-lived in faith is found in its enduring impact. 

These tombs are not just resting places; they are a monument to a promise kept, a promise that resonated throughout a nation.

Your life, too, will speak through your legacy. When you eventually pass away, will your memorial will be a monument to faithfulness. Or will it be a reminder of unfulfilled potential? 

It isn’t enough to serve the Lord for a season, the call is to serve is until the very end. Paul himself declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith,” challenging us at every age, whether 10, 20, 60, or even 100+, to remain steadfast.

I believe there are two powerful reasons to remain faithful. 

First, the New Testament teaches that steadfast obedience brings its own reward. So do not grow weary in doing good, for in due season you will reap the harvest.

Second, your faithfulness has a ripple effect on those around you. The impact of your consistent commitment can inspire, encourage, and transform others, just as Joseph, Nun, and his son Joshua influenced their people.

Your legacy is not measured solely by your own spiritual achievements, but by the lasting influence of your faithfulness on others.

Stand firm, serve the Lord with all your heart, and let your life be a shining testament to a devotion that endures, even beyond death.

Many years ago, the was a time, historians refer to as the dark ages, dark because gospel had become barely known in the world, certainly in Europe anyway. It was a bleak, dim, dismal time spiritually in the history of Western civilization and the world. 

During that time a man named Martin of Basel found the truth as was revealed to him in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He wrote this about what he now believed on a scrap of paper.

Most merciful Christ, I know that I can be saved only by the merit of thy blood. Holy Jesus, I acknowledge thy suffering for me. I love thee, I love thee, I love thee.

Then do you know what he did with it, he removed a stone from the wall of his bedroom, and he hid that little piece of paper in the wall that was not discovered until more than 100 years after he had died.  It was the truth, he found it, but he literally buried it.

About the same time there was another man his name was Martin Luther and he found the same truth, and he wrote, 

My Lord has confessed me before men. I will not shrink from confessing him before Kings.

And Martin Luther, remained faithful to the Lord until his death, and he influenced thousands and millions of people ever since.

Which Martin are you going to be like, are you going to be like Martin Luther, or Martin of Bazel? 

Are you going to hide the message you have been given behind a rock or in a wall. 

Or will you be like Martin Luther, or Joseph or Joshua?

And be faithful till death.