Joshua 23:1-2 – A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, "I am now old and well advanced in years."
In our last post we looked at a misunderstanding which occurred between the Israelites living west of the river and their brothers inhabiting the eastern lands. Fortunately, the Lord assisted them in resolving the situation before it got out of hand.
After that incident, the nation went on about its business – homes and cities were built/refurbished, businesses were established, crops were planted, flocks and herds were pastured, marriages took place and future generations of Israelites were born. And, presumably, the nation followed the law and served the Lord with all their hearts.
Eventually, Joshua summons all the elders, leaders, and judges of the nation to an important meeting, where he gives them a farewell address. His speech (or at least a portion of it) has been recorded for us here in chapter 23.
No mention is made of the location of this meeting/speech.� Some commentators feel that, due to Joshua's advanced age, the meeting was held in his hometown of Timnath-serah.� However, a more plausible theory is that the speech took place at the temple in Shiloh since all males were to appear before the Lord three times per year at that location.�
One thing is certain – Joshua is getting old! The Lord kept him alive long enough after the conquest to watch the nation develop politically, economically, and spiritually. He must have had some degree of satisfaction in completing the monumental task that God had assigned to him. Nevertheless, he knows his time is short.
In fact, he uses his advanced age as one of the reasons for his speech.� The implication is that he would soon be taken away from them (just as Moses was) and he had only a limited amount of time left to give them some final advice and instruction.
I'm sure the elders and leaders took his words seriously, because he was not only the leader who brought them into the Promised Land, he was one of the two oldest men in the nation.� As such, he had a wealth of wisdom and experience to share with them.� He also had (has) one of the most amazing testimonies in all of scripture.� We are still benefiting from it today!
Joshua 23:3 – "And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you."
The overall purpose of his address is to advise the current generation to persevere in the true faith and worship of God.
If the current generation will remain faithful to the Lord, they will be a witness to their children, who will then continue in the ways of the Lord. In this way, each generation will teach/show those who follow how to trust in the Lord, obey his commands and benefit from his goodness. Thus, the nation will continue to remain faithful to the Lord.
Joshua proceeds to testify to the current generation of elders, judges, and leaders about all the astonishing things that God had done for Israel during Joshua's lifetime. There can be no doubt that God blessed them physically by keeping them in good health, economically by giving them houses, vineyards and wells which they did not work for (Deuteronomy 6:10-12), and politically by giving them strong, courageous leaders.
But the blessings that Joshua stresses in his address are the military victories that God gave Israel in subduing the Promised Land. Why was that? I think there are two answers.
But first, let's establish that God did, indeed, fight on Israel's behalf.� He was the cause of their many victories and the reason they were able to conquer the land:
- God protected the spies from the king of Jericho (Joshua chapter 2).�
- God caused the waters of the Jordan to part, so Israel could cross the flooded river on dry ground (Joshua chapter 3-4).�
- God caused the walls of Jericho to fall before the children of Israel, who did nothing other than march around the city, as instructed (chapter 6).�
- God gave Joshua plans for a successful ambush against the city of Ai (chapter 8).�
- God causes the sun to stand still while Israel was fighting against the alliance of five kings (chapter 10).�
- God gave Israel victory over the 31 kings of the north (chapter 11-12).�
Clearly, Joshua is correct in saying that God fought for Israel.�
One of the reasons he focuses on these military victories in his final speech is to testify/prove that God kept the promise that he made to Joshua - because of his help, no man or nation was able to stand before the armies of Israel:
Joshua 1:1-5 – After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant� arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land I am giving to them� every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised� No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you�
Joshua 23:4 – "Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west."
God's intervention on their behalf was a clear and strong lesson that the elders/leaders of the nation needed to keep at the forefront of their minds, especially since there were still more Canaanites to be subdued.
As you recall from our study, once the major rulers/armies of the Canaanites had been defeated and their territories conquered, God instructed Joshua to divide up the land.� Each tribe received an allotment of land that was best suited to their needs.� These lots were determined by the Lord, while a committee of chosen men determined the boundaries of each tribe (chapters 13-21).�
Within these allotments, there were still groups of Canaanites to be defeated.� These groups had been spared for the short term, but once the tribes increased in numbers, they were to wage war against them.� Israel was to take their cities, livestock and goods while destroying the people and anything related to idol worship (Exodus 34:11-14).�
The bad news was that war was clearly in the future of each tribe. But the good news was that God had not changed – he would still be fighting for them in the future, just as he had in the past.
Malachi 3:6 – For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.
This is the second reason Joshua stresses these military victories - because there were still more Canaanites to be subdued, and Joshua himself would not be there to lead them to victory.� He wants to remind Israel that victory was assured by the Lord, not by he himself.� After he died, the remaining leaders of the nation had no reason to fear.� All they had to do was seek the Lord who would give them victory in their future battles.��
Joshua 23:5 – "The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight.� And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you."
It's not difficult to see where Joshua is going with this speech:
The other nations of the world (like the Canaanites) went to war under the leadership of their kings or rulers. Their success depended on the wisdom/cunning of the leader as well as the military strength and resources of the army.
This was not the case with Israel. Although they had a physical leader such as Joshua or Moses, God was the true supreme commander of the army. Therefore, Israel's success was not tied to the limited wisdom, ability, or resources of man; their success was guaranteed by the Lord. He would continue to deliver on his promises to give Israel the land.
However, as we noted in our earlier studies, Israel still had a part to play. She had two major responsibilities. One, to remain spiritually faithful to the Lord and two, to take up arms and do the physical fighting that God had called them to do.
The same is true in the church age. The church has limited wisdom, strength, influence and resources. However, when we partner with God to do his business, we are assured of victory because he provides all that we need for victory.
Joshua 23:6 – "Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left�"
With these future wars/victories in mind, Joshua encourages the men of Israel to be strong in their faith.
Obviously, as Joshua just pointed out, Israel's victories did not come through their own strength; they came as a blessing of the Lord. Therefore, it was of paramount importance that Israel remain faithful to the Lord.
They were to strictly keep all the laws given to them by the Lord through Moses. Let's examine that more closely.
- In order for a person to keep the law, they had to know or be familiar with it.�
Deuteronomy 11:18 – You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
The people of Israel were to familiarize themselves with the law. They were expected to read it, study it, and know it. Because of God's great wisdom in scattering the Levites throughout the nation, every person had reasonable access to those who knew the law best – the priests and Levites. So, if there ever was a question regarding the law, the people had a resource they could turn to.
They had no excuse for being ignorant of the law.
- According to the command of the Lord, the law was to be read, studied and discussed in the home; the parents were to teach it to their children.�
Deuteronomy 11:19 - You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
The children of Israel didn't have to get a college degree to know and understand the law. They learned it little by little as they grew up because it was constantly at the forefront of what happened at home.
Parents not only verbally taught their children the law, they also lived it out by example. For instance, there are seven main feasts that were to be kept by the Israelites:
- Passover.�
- The feast of Unleavened Bread.�
- The feast of First Fruits.�
- The feast of Harvest.�
- The feast of Trumpets.�
- The Day of Atonement.�
- The feast of Tabernacles.�
For example, parents no doubt verbally instructed their children about the feast of Passover.� But they also would have demonstrated it to their children by having the children help pick out the lamb, gather and wash the bitter herbs, paint the blood on the door posts, etc.�
The law was not just something they memorized; it was something they lived.
- The law was not something that was compartmentalized or sectioned off from daily life.� It was supposed to influence everything the Israelites did.�
There was no 'separation of church and state' for God's people. God was involved in every aspect of their lives – home, business, leisure activities, government, etc. They didn't just worship and serve him for a couple hours on the Sabbath; the law influenced everything they did, and how they did it.
The actions, attitudes, and decisions of God's people were to be governed by God's laws and commands at all times.�
- There were no 'gray areas' or optional commands in the law; the Lord required strict adherence to all he commanded.�
Deuteronomy 5:32 -You shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God has commanded you: you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
The phrase 'do not turn to the right or left' was a common saying in Israel. It referred to the practice of keeping the law exactly as God had prescribed. We often interpret this to mean that Israel should do all that God commanded (which is true), but it also means that nothing is to be added to the law without God's permission.
Obedience to God's laws is better than sacrifice.
You have no doubt noticed the parallels in the present day Christian realm.
- We should be familiar with the laws and commands of the kingdom of heaven.�
Now, more than ever, the word of God is available to anyone who will take the time to find it.� We have paper bibles, electronic bibles and audio bibles.� They are available in a multitude of different languages and they can often be obtained without cost.�
We also have almost unlimited access to teaching and instruction regarding the word.
We have no excuse for being ignorant of God's word and commands.
- God's word should be read, studied and discussed in our homes.�
We should not only instruct our children and grandchildren in the Christian life, we should actively show them how to live out their faith in the world.�
Remember, scripture tells us that if we are diligent to teach our children about salvation and the Christian faith, they will not depart from it when they are older (Proverbs 22:6).
The law is not just something we should memorize or read; it is something we must live out in our lives.
- The laws of God cannot be 'compartmentalized' or sectioned off from our daily lives any more than they could be for the children of Israel.�
In our case, God's laws are written on our hearts and therefore they should be a part of everything we do, every day.�
Our actions, attitudes, and decisions should be governed by God's laws and commands at all times.
- There are no 'gray areas' in the commands of God.�
We should be diligent to avoid actions that are outside of his decrees.� By the same token, the apostle James tells us that if we know we should be doing something good and yet we fail to do so, that too, is sin (James 4:17).
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Joshua 23:7-8 – "� that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day."
Joshua's main concern for the nation is that the Canaanites remaining in the land will entice the Israelites to engage in idolatry. It's a valid concern, since they had already fallen into that trap once (Baal-Peor – see the last post for details). Therefore, he strongly admonishes them to avoid anything and everything that pertains to these heathens and their gods.
First off, Joshua instructs them not to 'mix' (your translation may say 'mingle') with the Canaanites. The root word for 'mix' means 'yoked'. In other words, they were not to form relationships with the remaining Canaanites. They were not to engage in business with them, befriend them, marry them, or adopt their civil, judicial or religious practices.
If the people of Israel did form relationships or bonds with these heathens, it wouldn't be long before the heathen would invite Israel to attend their feasts, worship their idols, marry their children, and live in their cities.�
Once those bonds were formed, it would be virtually impossible for Israel to turn around and attack/destroy them. Instead, the ungodly practices of the Canaanites would certainly corrupt the Israelites and their true worship of God. The Israelites could be yoked to the Lord or yoked to the Canaanites, but they couldn't do both. They had to choose between the two.
Interestingly, Christians are also warned against being 'yoked' together with the unbelievers of our day:
II Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
You see the parallel, right? When we form close relationships with unbelievers, our goals (and the way we reach them) are diametrically opposed and it becomes almost impossible for us to be successful, because we can't establish unity. We are existing in a 'divided house' (Mark 3:25).
For example, if a Christian man marries an unbelieving woman, he will expect to live his life according to the word of God. He will want to attend church, pay tithes, be faithful to his wife and be honest in all his business dealings.
His wife, on the other hand, will likely refuse to attend church and argue about paying tithes.� She won't have any concerns about marital infidelity and honesty won't necessarily be one of her attributes.�
Can you imagine what that marriage would be like?� Let's just say if the marriage survives, it probably wouldn't be the happy, peaceful, fulfilling relationship that God intended.
If you are in a relationship that is unequally yoked (marriage, business, etc), I suggest you pray about that situation and ask Holy Spirit's advice on what to do - if anything.
If you are not unequally yoked to anyone right now, please consider the scriptures carefully before entering into such an arrangement.
Joshua 23:9 –"For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day."
This was a statement of fact regarding Israel's past victories. Those who attacked them were either soundly defeated or fled before them and became tributaries. Again, this was the result of God's assistance in their battles.
Joshua 23:10-11 –"One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. �Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God."
This verse speaks of the future battles the nation was sure to face (sooner rather than later).
Now that each tribe was responsible for going to war against the Canaanites living in their own territory, some fear may have risen in their hearts due to the much smaller numbers of soldiers in their armies.
But Joshua puts that fear to rest in his address. Though the people of God are few and weak compared to their enemies, they are not fighting in their own strength. When the Lord fights for them, one man can defeat a thousand (Deuteronomy 32:30).
Therefore, as long as Israel continues to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, it will be easy for them to stay faithful to him. And if they remain faithful to him, victory is assured.
What is the status of our love for the Lord? Do we love him with all of our hearts and minds? Or has our love grown cold?
Joshua 23:12-13 – "For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you."
As you read through the Old Testament, you may have noticed that it was a common thing for the Law to use two different means to motivate men in doing the right thing – reward and punishment.�
For instance, in Deuteronomy 28, verses 1-14 give clear blessings and rewards for the people of Israel, as long as they obey the commands of God. Verses 15-68 give a list of curses/punishments that will fall upon the people if they fail to obey.
Joshua uses that same literary formula here; the first part of chapter 23 assures the people that if they are faithful to God he will reward them with victory while verses 12-13 list the punishments that await those who do not.
Both methods are effective; some folks will turn to the Lord because of his great love, while others only repent after hearing a 'hell fire and brimstone' sermon. Which method motivates you more?
Joshua 23:14 – "And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed."
Joshua recognizes that his race is almost finished. Soon, God will call him home to his heavenly reward. There is no doubt that the nation will miss him greatly. Because they respect and trust him, his departure would leave them with a great sense of loss.
And now, in some of his last public words to the nation, he testifies yet again that God has been faithful to every one of the promises that he made to Israel.� If the men present before him are honest, they will agree – they cannot deny the truth of this testimony.�
Joshua 23:15-16 – "But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you if you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given you."
One of the overall truths in this passage is that God is faithful to his promises. Israel liked to think of this in the context of the nation acting righteously and God blessing them for it, just as he did in the conquest of the land.
While that is true, the opposite is equally true - if the nation decided to mix with idolaters and embrace sin, God would still be faithful to his promises and bring punishment upon them.
Either way, God is faithful.� Thus, the end result was up to the people of Israel.� ��
Let me offer you some encouragement:
The overall purpose of Joshua's speech is to advise the current generation to persevere in the true faith and worship of God.
One of the ways they did this was to have God's laws at work in their homes. They were to teach the law to their children; they probably helped them memorize parts of it as well. In addition, they taught their children the laws of God by living their faith out on a daily basis. The law was an integral part of who they were.
This is an excellent example for us to follow.
The laws of God should define who we are, what we do, and how we do it.� Let's make every effort to be an example to our children and grandchildren by honestly living out our faith in front of them, and encouraging them in their own spiritual walk. ��
Let me offer you some relief:
Joshua was going to die shortly after his final addresses to the nation. His death no doubt caused a lot of sorrow to the rest of the people in the nation.
Likewise, we also suffer great sorrow when someone we love dies. But scriptures tell us that our sorrow is not the same as those who do not know Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them who are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope.
Physical death is the gateway into the eternal realm.� For those who have trusted in Christ, it leads to a reunion with the Father, Son and Spirit.� Therefore when a Christian that we love dies, our sorrow can be tempered with the fact that they are now in eternal bliss.� They are receiving the rewards of their spiritual labors, just as Israel finally received possession of their land.� And, perhaps most importantly, we will see them again one day! �
Let me offer you some strength:
The Israelites were not to 'mix' or associate with the Canaanites in any way. Period. No exceptions.
But under the covenant of grace, things are a bit different. We are not to cut ourselves off from the sinners around us. Rather, we need to fellowship with them and/or have some kind of relationship with them, so that we can introduce them to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the same time, we must use wisdom and understanding as we do so.� We cannot take part in the sins of those we are in fellowship with; we must stand strong for righteousness.� We must love them while hating and standing firm against their evil practices. �As we remain faithful to God and interact with the heathen, God will give us opportunities to witness to them about his love and grace.�
One final note:� Be sure that you diligently think, pray and seek godly counsel before being yoked with an unbeliever in marriage, business or other critical relationships.