The reading from Joshua skips over the series of accounts concerning Israel's settlement in the land. The initial tumultuous period is over and the people are beginning to make a place for themselves. It is at this point that Joshua gathers them together to renew their covenant bond with Yahweh. The scene begins with today's reading and carries over into tomorrow's. Here Joshua recounts in vivid detail God's goodness to Israel all along the way. He is building them up to re-commit themselves to this God who has been so faithful. The accent throughout the reading is on God's initiative: "I took your father Abraham ... and led him ... I gave his Isaac ... I sent Moses ... I brought you out ... I gave you a land". The response is up to them.

It is God's initiative and plan cited in Genesis that Jesus uses as the basis for His strong stand against divorce. God created men and women for lasting unions, He says, and therefore this bond should be cherished.