Joshua 23
Overview
Joshua 23 is a significant chapter in the Book of Joshua, featuring the leader's farewell address to the elders, leaders, judges, and officials of Israel. As Joshua nears the end of his life, he imparts wisdom and warnings to ensure the continued faithfulness of the Israelites to God’s covenant. Key points include:
Joshua Reflects on Past Victories: Joshua begins by reflecting on the victories that the LORD has granted Israel over their enemies and the allotment of these conquered lands to the tribes.
Admonition to Keep God’s Law: Joshua emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Book of the Law of Moses, instructing the Israelites not to deviate from it either to the right or to the left. He stresses the need to love the LORD their God.
Warning Against Intermingling with Other Nations: Joshua warns against intermingling with the remaining Canaanite nations, intermarrying with them, or adopting their gods. He cautions that doing so would be a snare to the Israelites.
Consequences of Breaking the Covenant: Joshua reminds the Israelites of the consequences that would follow if they violate the covenant with God. He warns that God's favor would turn to anger, and the Israelites would perish from the good land given to them.
Reminder of God’s Faithfulness: Joshua highlights that every promise of the LORD has been fulfilled; not one has failed. He reinforces that just as God's good promises have been fulfilled, so will His promises of punishment if they turn away from Him.
Exhortation to Remain Faithful: In his concluding remarks, Joshua encourages the leaders to remain resolute in their faith and dedication to God, as their actions will influence the direction of the entire nation.
Joshua 23 is a powerful chapter that underscores the importance of leadership, faithfulness to God’s laws, and the dangers of cultural and religious assimilation. Joshua's farewell speech serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a call to continued obedience to ensure the well-being and prosperity of Israel in the Promised Land.
Joshua Reflects on Past Victories: Joshua begins by reflecting on the victories that the LORD has granted Israel over their enemies and the allotment of these conquered lands to the tribes.
Admonition to Keep God’s Law: Joshua emphasizes the importance of adhering to the Book of the Law of Moses, instructing the Israelites not to deviate from it either to the right or to the left. He stresses the need to love the LORD their God.
Warning Against Intermingling with Other Nations: Joshua warns against intermingling with the remaining Canaanite nations, intermarrying with them, or adopting their gods. He cautions that doing so would be a snare to the Israelites.
Consequences of Breaking the Covenant: Joshua reminds the Israelites of the consequences that would follow if they violate the covenant with God. He warns that God's favor would turn to anger, and the Israelites would perish from the good land given to them.
Reminder of God’s Faithfulness: Joshua highlights that every promise of the LORD has been fulfilled; not one has failed. He reinforces that just as God's good promises have been fulfilled, so will His promises of punishment if they turn away from Him.
Exhortation to Remain Faithful: In his concluding remarks, Joshua encourages the leaders to remain resolute in their faith and dedication to God, as their actions will influence the direction of the entire nation.
Joshua 23 is a powerful chapter that underscores the importance of leadership, faithfulness to God’s laws, and the dangers of cultural and religious assimilation. Joshua's farewell speech serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and a call to continued obedience to ensure the well-being and prosperity of Israel in the Promised Land.
Joshua 23
1 And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
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15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
End of Joshua 23
1 Year Plan: Apr 9 - Josh 23, Josh 24, Ps 41
2 And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
3 And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.
4 Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.
5 And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.
6 Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
8 But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
9 For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.
10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
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15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.
End of Joshua 23
1 Year Plan: Apr 9 - Josh 23, Josh 24, Ps 41
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