Joshua 23:1-8
1 Now it came about after many days, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their enemies on every side, and Joshua was old, advanced in years,
2 that Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, their heads, their judges, and their officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in years.
3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the Lord your God is He who has been fighting for you.
4 See, I have apportioned to you these nations which remain as an inheritance for your tribes, with all the nations which I have eliminated, from the Jordan even to the Great Sea toward the west.
5 And the Lord your God, He will thrust them away from you and drive them from you; and you will take possession of their land, just as the Lord your God promised you.
6 Be very determined, then, to keep and do everything that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you will not turn aside from it to the right or to the left,
7 so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain with you, or mention the name of their gods, or make anyone swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them.
8 But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.
Joshua’s Farewell Address (1)
Conquest by faith
Years passed and Joshua became old, advanced in age. According to Joshua 24:29, he was 110 years old. Before his death, Joshua gave his final address to the Israelites. Let’s pay close attention to the final words of Joshua, a man of great faith, and a leader ever since the exodus from Egypt. We will study his final address in three parts. Today is the first part. Joshua called all Israelites and spoke to them. (1) The conquest of the land of Canaan surely was the Lord’s battle and His victory. (2) Within the lands distributed as inheritance, there still were areas unconquered. (3) Even after Joshua’s death, the people must continue the conquest, trusting in the Lord.
The law of Moses
Joshua exhorted the Israelites to remember the following three things in order to receive God’s blessing: (1) Keep and obey the Law of Moses (the content of which is written in Deuteronomy) and do not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left. Ever since Joshua became the successor of Moses, he remained firm in his obedience to the law. Therefore, he was able to receive blessings from the Lord. (2) Do not associate with pagan nations that remain in the land of Canaan. Detailed actions associated with idolatry are as follows: mention the name of their gods, swear, serve, and bow down to them. These actions are strictly prohibited. (3) Cling to the Lord. This means being eager in trusting the Lord entirely. The law is not merely writing. The true meaning of being compliant with the law can only be manifested through a personal relationship with the Lord God. We, too, have been given a mission by God, but it is still incomplete. To fulfill our mission in this earthly life, we must make the decision faithfully. Are you keeping yourself away from idolatry? Have you been enjoying your personal relationship with God and receiving new strength from Him? Have you been freed from legalism and walking by the Holy Spirit? Let’s renew our commitment to God once again today.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, I earnestly call upon You now. May I be able to fulfill the mission You have given me. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.