CHAPTER 23 JOSHUA'S SPEECH TO THE NATION. Joshua grew old and, possibly at the central sanctuary when Israel gathered together, or at Shechem, called the people together to give an address to the nation. He did not know how long he had to go and he wanted to pass on his final words in case he died... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER 23 JOSHUA'S SPEECH TO THE NATION. Joshua grew old and, possibly at the central sanctuary when Israel gathered together, or at Shechem, called the people together to give an address to the nation. He did not know how long he had to go and he wanted to pass on his final words in case he died... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And you have seen all that YHWH your God has done to all these nations because of you, for YHWH your God, he it is who has fought for you.” Joshua then points back to the past, to all their victories and all their successes that have resulted in their being where they were. They have seen them an... [ Continue Reading ]
“ See, I have allotted to you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations I have cut off, even unto the Great Sea westward (toward the going down of the sun).” Joshua was quite clear on the fact that not all Canaan was subdued. His mind was sti... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And YHWH your God, he will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight. And you will possess their land, as YHWH your God spoke to you.” They could be sure of success because YHWH their God was with them. It was He Who would thrust them out, and drive them from their sig... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside from it, to the right hand or to the left.” Here was the condition, obedience to the law of Moses. It was to be strictly followed. They must be strong and have courage so th... [ Continue Reading ]
“ That you come not among these nations, those who remain among you, nor make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, nor serve them, nor bow yourselves down to them.” This was the negative side. They must avoid contact and fraternisation with these nations, they must totally... [ Continue Reading ]
“ But cleave to YHWH your God, as you have done to this day.” Up to this time they had been faithful. They had driven out the Canaanites. They had spurned their gods. They had been faithful to the tribal covenant, and gathered at the central sanctuary as required by the Law. They had not settled do... [ Continue Reading ]
“ For YHWH has driven out before you great nations and strong, and as for you, no man has stood before you to this day.” Let the past teach them the lesson. They have defeated great and strong nations, and driven them out. No one has been able to prevent them from settling down. This was a slightly... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ One man of you will chase a thousand, for YHWH your God, he it is who fights for you, as he spoke to you.' This picturesque phrase cited from Deuteronomy 32:30 means simply that only one of them would be needed to fight a battle unit (a ‘thousand', an eleph), because YHWH would be there with him f... [ Continue Reading ]
‘ Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you love YHWH your God.' The thought of loving God was central to the teaching of Moses (Deuteronomy 6:4), and revealed in the keeping of His commandments (Deuteronomy 5:10; Joshua 22:5), in walking in His ways (Deuteronomy 10:12; Deuteronomy 11:22; Deu... [ Continue Reading ]
“ Or else if you in any way go back, and cleave to the remnant of these nations, those who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you, know for a certainty that YHWH your God will no more drive out these nations from before you, but they will be a snare and a... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which YHWH your God has spoken concerning you. All have come about for you. Not one thing has failed of them.” This was not to sa... [ Continue Reading ]
“ And it shall come about that as all the good things have come on you which YHWH has promised, so shall YHWH bring on you all evil things until he has destroyed you from off this good land which the YHWH your God has given you.” This was the other side of His promise. Just as He had fulfilled His... [ Continue Reading ]
“When you transgress the covenant of YHWH your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them, then the anger of YHWH will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given you.” All outwardly depends on obedienc... [ Continue Reading ]