With the allotment of Canaan to the Israelite tribes complete (illustration here), today's reading closes with this verse: "Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." The People's Bible on Joshua says, "This short but important section spells out the Spirit's purpose in producing this inspired book. He wants to assure readers that the Lord keeps his promises. Just as John's gospel pauses to say, 'These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ' (John 20:31), the inspired writer stops here to highlight his theme: The Lord fulfills his promise of the land.
"The author is following up on the promises of chapter 1:2-6 and, still further back, on the original promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2,3; 13:14-17). The author wants us to compare the old promises with the present reality and sing the Lord's praises. He wants readers to contrast the generous allotment just enumerated in chapters 13 to 21 with the time when the promises were first made. At that time Abraham owned 'not even a foot of ground' in Canaan (Acts 7:5). Now Israel holds an expanse of land from Mount Hermon to the Negev and from the Mediterranean to the Arabian desert.
"The fulfillment of God's land-promise is critical because it is a down payment on his Savior-promise. God is faithful! He delivers every good thing he has promised!"
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