These are the final words of Joshua to Israel. Joshua has led Israel for many years
through very difficult times and good times. Joshua was a Godly leader that trusted in
God and got his courage from God. In Joshua’s final words he implores with Israel to
keep their courage in God and to continue following Him. If they remain faithful to God,
then God will fight for them and deliver them from their enemies. God will give them all
of the things He has promised if they will but stay faithful to Him.
It is amazing how many promises in the Bible are contingent upon us remaining faithful
to God. I believe that some times we feel that God has fallen short on delivering the
promises that we feel He should have, when sometimes it is our lack of faith that has
prevented us from receiving the promises. When we fully and completely trust God and
follow Him, then He will constantly deliver every promise He has made.
Joshua 23
[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 failedthereof. [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.”
