Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 88 of the Bible in a Year podcast, concluding The Book of refref-book-the-book-of-refref-book-the-book-of-joshuaJoshuarefref-book-the-book-of-joshuaJoshua with chapters 22-24 and Psalm 132. He uses the Great Adventure Bible timeline and reads from the Revised Standard Version, 2 Catholic Edition.

This episode marks the final day of Joshua's leadership story, covering the dismissal of eastern tribes, a near civil war over an altar, and Joshua's powerful farewell address. Father Mike announces that tomorrow begins a new phase reading both The Book of Judges and The Book of Ruth simultaneously.

The reading culminates with Joshua's covenant renewal at Shechem, featuring his famous declaration about serving the Lord, which Father Mike emphasizes as words to live by rather than merely display. He expresses particular excitement about reaching The refref-book-the-gospel-of-johnrefref-book-the-gospel-of-johnGospel of John in ten days.

Eastern Tribes Dismissed After Faithful Service

Joshua commends the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh: 'You have kept all that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I have commanded you' - Father Mike reading

The tribes return home with 'much wealth, and with very many cattle, with silver, gold, bronze, and iron' after years of military service west of the Jordan

Joshua's final instruction emphasizes loving God completely: 'to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cling to him, and to serve him with all your heart, and with all your soul'

The Great Altar Misunderstanding Nearly Sparks Civil War

The eastern tribes build 'an altar of great size' by the Jordan, causing the western tribes to 'gather at Shiloh to make war against them'

Phineas leads a delegation accusing them of 'treachery' and 'rebellion against the Lord,' referencing past disasters like Achan's sin

The eastern tribes explain their altar is 'not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifice, but to be a witness between us and you' to prevent future generations from excluding them

The explanation satisfies everyone, with Phineas declaring 'Today we know that the Lord is in the midst of us' and the tribes naming the altar 'Witness'

Joshua's Final Warning About Covenant Faithfulness

Joshua, now 'old and well advanced in years,' reminds Israel that 'it is the Lord your God who has fought for you' and 'One man of you puts to flight a thousand'

He warns against intermarriage with remaining nations, saying they will become 'a snare and a trap for you, a scourge on your sides, and thorns in your eyes'

Joshua emphasizes God's perfect faithfulness: 'not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God promised concerning you, all have come to pass for you'

He warns that just as God fulfilled good promises, 'the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things until he has destroyed you' if they break covenant

The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

Joshua recounts salvation history from Abraham through the conquest, emphasizing 'It was not by your sword or by your bow' but God's power including 'the hornet' that drove out enemies

Joshua issues his famous challenge: 'Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites'

He declares 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord' - words Father Mike calls 'not just a nice set of words to stitch on a pillow' but 'words to live by'

Joshua challenges the people's commitment, warning 'You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God, He is a jealous God, He will not forgive your transgressions'

The covenant ceremony concludes with Joshua writing 'these words in the book of the law of God' and setting up a stone witness 'under the oak in the sanctuary of the Lord'

Deaths and Burials Mark the End of an Era

Joshua dies at 110 years old and is buried 'in his own inheritance at Timnath Sarah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim'

'Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, and had known all the work which the Lord did for Israel'

Joseph's bones, carried from Egypt, are finally buried at Shechem 'in the portion of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor'

Eleazar the priest also dies and is buried, marking the end of the generation that witnessed the conquest

Father Mike's Reflection on Choice and Commitment

Father Mike emphasizes Joshua's challenge about choosing today rather than delaying: 'sometimes we just put off deciding that, no, I belong to Jesus Christ'

He warns against false gods in modern life: 'Is it going to be money? Is it going to be fame? Is it going to be comfort? Just choose today so that you can stop pretending'

Father Mike announces the transition to reading The Book of Judges and The Book of Ruth starting tomorrow, returning to multiple books simultaneously

He expresses excitement about reaching The refref-book-the-gospel-of-johnrefref-book-the-gospel-of-johnGospel of John in ten days (day 98), calling it a 'gift' and highlighting his anticipation