Joshua gives last instructions

Joshua Chapter 23

Years have passed and the Lord had given the people of Israel rest from their enemies. Joshua was now very old and he called the people, the elders, leaders, judges and officers together and said to them that he was now an old man. You have seen, he said, everything the Lord has done for you during my lifetime. God has fought for you against your enemies and I have allotted to you as an inheritance, all the land of the nations yet unconquered as well as those we have conquered. This land will be yours, for the Lord God will drive out all the people living there now. You will live there instead of them, just as the Lord promised you.

Moses urged the people to be strong and to be careful to follow all the instructions written in the Book of Law of Moses. Do not deviate from them in any way, Joshua told them. Do not associate with other people still remaining in the land. Do not mention the names of of their gods, much less swear by them or worship them. Be faithful to the Lord you God.

If you turn away from the Lord and intermarry with the survivors of these nations remaining among you, then know for certain, Joshua said, that the Lord will no long drive them out. Instead they will snare and trap you, be a pain in your side and a thorn in your eyes and you will be wiped out from this good land the Lord has given you.

Joshua said that soon he would die, but deep in the hearts of all Israelites, they know that every promise of the Lord has come true. He warned them that just as surely as the Lord had given them all good things as promised, he could also bring disaster upon the people if they disobey him. If they disobey, the Lord could wipe them out from the promised land. And if they break the covenant of the Lord by worshiping other gods, his anger will burn against the people.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Joshua knew the people’s weak spots. He called them together before he died and pointed out the areas where they might slip and gave them commands to help keep them from doing so. He asked that 1. they follow the written Book of Law of Moses. 2. that they not associate with pagan nations. 3. that they not intermarry with pagan nations (this chilling prediction about intermarriage became a reality, as many stories of the book of Judges tell of the suffering that took place because of failure to follow God wholeheartedly).

Joshua’s message was also words of encouragement and instruction. He told them to be faithful to the Lord their God. Joshua had been a living example of this and wanted it to be his legacy. What will you pass on to your children? You can leave them nothing better than the admonition to hold on to God and the memory of a person who did.

How does this chapter relate to us today? It shows that even today, our associations and relationships can be temptations to us as well. We must identify our weak spots and work to break them down. We cannot let temptations overcome us. Be strong in your faith. Follow the commandments of God. They remain as relevant today as ever. Praise be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: Her parents have been called to conference with doctors because her lungs continue to be a serious problem. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.