July 4, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Joshua? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 23 (NIV)
Joshua’s Farewell to the Leaders
1 After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then a very old man, 2 summoned all Israel—their elders, leaders, judges and officials—and said to them: “I am very old. 3 You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you.........Continue Reading
Like a good leader, facing his own end, Joshua tells the people to stay true to God. He reminds them how faithful God has been to them and how faithful He will continue to be as they choose to follow Him. And along with the blessings, He also talks about what will happen if they forsake God and form relationships with the Canaanites that still live within them. They will force God to act like an enemy and not a friend and drive them from the land. It is really sad to know after this encouragement that that is exactly what happens…eventually….after God being very patient with them. You’ve also got to love Joshua 23:14. It’s a verse as true now as then…and one worth memorizing.
Every day I thank God that He keeps His promises; that while I am weak, He is strong. Though I am weak, He is strong. Joshua’s words to always remember this, and to not turn away from Him should always be in the front of our minds.
14“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 15But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”
Joshua reminds the people of all the Lord has done for them and tells them to remain faithful to the Lord. Although in the New Testament, we are encouraged to go and preach the gospel to all nations, the principle of not being “unequally yoked” remains and for good reason. God knows that the heart is prone to compromise when its allegiance is divided.