Joshua 23 - An Exhortation to Faithfulness

Joshua 23

Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left (verse 6).

Message: An Exhortation to Faithfulness

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: Joshua is older now, advanced in years, and he calls all of the leaders of Israel together to speak to them. He speaks of the Lord God and all that God has done for them - fighting for them. Land has been provided for you. Possess it, but also be a people that will "Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left (verse 6)." God has gave these people a lot. He provided them land and rescued them from dangers and in return, the people owe them their life to follow his words throughout their lives. He provides, we respond. People owe it to him. 

He exhorts the people to not associate with the nations and their gods. They are not to serve them or bow down to them. And there is application today for me as well. We are to be a people about Him, loving God and serving Him. It seems like anything that is selfish or for me might be a god today. Entertainment at times I think can be a god, even watching basketball to no end or movies or listening to music. I guess I think of these as gods or idolatry if they start getting in the way of my relationship with God and serving him. The admonishment from Joshua was to not associate with them. But instead "you are to cling to the Lord your God." I like that word -- "cling." It gives an idea of hold on tight or grab a hold of. We cling because it says later, "the Lord your God is He who fights for you (verse 10)." And "love the Lord your God (v. 11)." Then Joshua gives a warning about clinging in the wrong sort of way. Do not go and cling to the nations, intermarry. When we do, the Lord is not near to us to fight for us. 

It seems people simply expect God to bless them no matter what and think they can live their lives however they want. And yet God seems clear here that what we need is to cling to him and serve him. The anger of the Lord is mentioned so it is real and we need to watch out from this anger and stay clear from it. 

Summary: Joshua tells the people as he is aging that they need to cling to the Lord and not serve other gods. God will keep fighting for us as we do this. 

Promise: Let us continue trusting the Lord this day, and let us encourage the generations that follow us to do the same.

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy. You provide for me and bless me in ways I cannot fathom. I don't give you enough credit. Thank you for the setting this land before me and giving it to me. You have been faithful to me. Now, help me to be faithful to you and live in a way that honors you. Forgive me for my sins and getting angry so often. Keep me focused on You o God, relying on You God at all times. Keep me far from idolatry and going after things that are not about You. I want to live in a way that leaves no question as to my allegiance to You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 22 - The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Joshua 22 

Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle. (verse 29)

Message: The Unity of God's People Under True Worship

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying: This chapter begins with Joshua summoning the Reubenites and the Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh saying "You have not forsaken your brothers....and now the Lord your God has given you rest." And then now they are to "be very careful to observe the commandments which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God and walk in all His ways and keep the commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

I appreciate these words. This encouragement that has been provided to God's people everywhere and for all times. God has given us rest and yet we need to be careful to remain obedient to Him, to love Him, to walk in His ways and keep His commandments, holding fast to Him, and serve Him. The reality is God provides us so much. Not as a reward always, like when he gave Israel this land of Canaan. And yet the life of a Christian is one of obedience, but this obedience doesn't earn our way to God, but is needed in life to make us better people and to honor God. We honor God through our good works. 

Then in verse 10, these same individuals build an altar (verse 10), an imposing altar, but then the congregation of the Lord state in verse 16 that this is rebellion against the Lord. The altar is mentioned in verse 19 as being for themselves and in fact it was in the wrong location. Achan is mentioned as a poor example of going his own way, being unfaithful (v 20). Altars need to commemorate our service to the Lord (v. 27). This chapter concludes with the mention that this altar was in fact a proper altar as  "between us that the Lord is God. (verse 30)" 

I like the words of John Gill (1697-1771) on this:

...it was not for sacrifice, but to be a testimony of their being one with their brethren on the other side Jordan, in worship, faith, and fellowship:  

for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God; is the one God, the God of them both, of all Israel, whether on the one or the other side of Jordan; to be worshipped by them in one and the same manner, and their sacrifices to be offered to him on his altar before the tabernacle. 

Summary: Arriving home, the 2 1/2 tribes build an altar, first misunderstood its purpose, then understood as a witness between them and the Lord, on the other side of the Jordan. 

Promise: We should be concerned always for the pure worship of God, according to scripture. 

Prayer: O Holy God, you are faithful and rich in Mercy and compassion. You want me and us to be a people of unity and to worship You in Spirit and Truth. Make us a people holy to You God and I pray our worship upholds and praises You at all times. Work on my heart so that I am obedient to You always, for the right reasons, in the right ways. Thank you for being with me.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.