Joshua 23

Joshua 23:1 A long time after Yahveh had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, Joshua was old and advanced in days.

Joshua 23:2 So Joshua summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers, and said to them, “I am old, advanced in days,

Joshua 23:3 and you have seen for yourselves everything Yahveh, your God, did to all these nations in front of you because it was Yahveh, your God, who was fighting for you.

Joshua 23:4 See, I have allotted these remaining nations to you as an inheritance for your tribes, including all the nations I have exterminated, from the Jordan westward to the Mediterranean Sea.

Joshua 23:5 Yahveh, your God will push them away.[1] on your account and drive them out before you so that you can take possession of their land, as Yahveh your God promised you.

Joshua 23:6 “Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the instruction of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left.

Joshua 23:7 and so that you do not associate with these nations remaining among you. Do not call on the names of their gods or make an oath to them; do not serve them or bow in worship to them.

Joshua 23:8 Instead, be loyal to Yahveh your God, as you have been to this day.

Joshua 23:9 “Yahveh has driven out great and powerful nations before you, and no one is able to stand against you to this day.

Joshua 23:10 One of you routed a thousand because Yahveh, your God, was fighting for you, as he promised.

Joshua 23:11 So diligently watch yourselves! Love Yahveh, your God!

Joshua 23:12 If you ever turn away and become loyal to the remainder of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry or partner with them and they with you,

Joshua 23:13 knows for sure that Yahveh, your God, will not continue to drive these nations out before you. They will become a snare and a trap for you, a sharp stick for your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you disappear from this good land Yahveh your God has given you.

Joshua 23:14 “I am now going the way of the whole land, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises Yahveh your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

Joshua 23:15 Since every good thing Yahveh your God promised you has come about, likewise he will bring on you every bad thing until he has annihilated you from this good land Yahveh your God has given you.

Joshua 23:16 If you break the covenant of Yahveh your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow in worship to them, Yahveh’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly disappear from this good land he has given you.”

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[1]הָדַף

Joshua 23 quotes:

“Saying goodbye is difficult for everyone, leaders and followers. In Joshua 22 the time arrives for final farewells. The narrator does not tell readers when Joshua gave his farewell, but a long time had passed. Readers can know only that Israel had rest from their enemies and Joshua was well advanced in years (lit. days). Joshua summons the local leadership of the tribes—elders, leaders, judges, and officials—to hear his final words. He begins by calling them to reflect on what they had seen the Lord God do for them.”

Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 112.

“In his address, Joshua briefly reviews what the Lord has done and will do for his people (verses 1-5). Then he exhorts them to be faithful to the Lord alone, else they will soon all be exterminated (verses 6-13). He finishes with another strong exhortation, followed by warning of severe consequences if they abandon the Lord and worship other gods (verses 14-16).”

Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 291.

Joshua 23 links:

a source of strength
faithfulness works both ways
from dominating to disappearing
he fought for you
Maranatha Daily Devotional – October 19, 2015
The next generation’s mission

The JOSHUA shelf in Jeff’s library