Year 1, Week 26, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 26, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Joshua 23.

Today’s reading marks the concluding words from Joshua to the Israelites: “A long time afterward, when the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years” (Joshua 23:1-2). These concluding remarks will comprise part of tomorrow’s reading as well. Joshua 23 is strongly oriented with Joshua’s words of the LORD’s faithfulness coupled with the dire need for Israel’s continued striving for faithfulness.

One of the things that struck me with today’s reading was the accounting of the LORD’s faithfulness: “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). The LORD had been faithful to the Israelites: “And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you” (Joshua 23:3). Israel’s rescue from Egyptian captivity, their preservation in the wilderness, and now their placement in the Land, is all due to the LORD faithfully fighting for His people. This is the same message that the LORD spoke through Moses: “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you” (Deuteronomy 3:22). The LORD’s faithful fighting for His people was meant to be understood as ongoing into their present moment: "For the LORD has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the LORD your God who fights for you, just as he promised you” (Joshua 23:9-10).

The LORD can be counted on to do what He has promised: “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed” (Joshua 23:14). This is meant to be encouraging news to shape the way that the LORD’s people are to live: “Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left” (Joshua 23:6). This is the same message that the LORD had given to Joshua to pass on to the Israelites at the beginning of their conquest of the Land: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).

However, that the LORD can be counted on to do what He has promised also entails a word of warning: “But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you” (Joshua 23:14-15). Joshua is echoing the same realities that Moses had done, particularly in Deuteronomy 28-30. That the LORD will do all that He has promised means that as Israel proves to the unfaithful to the LORD, the LORD will faithfully implement all that He said He would do in the face of unfaithfulness. It was the faithful Hand of the LORD who placed Israel in the Land and they will only remain in the Land for as long as the LORD keeps them in the Land.

Thus, God’s faithfulness is rich in assurance but also full with warning. Therefore, Joshua provided clear direction on how Israel was to live in light of the LORD’s faithfulness. Israel was to faithfully keep covenant with the LORD: “Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God” (Joshua 23:11). The heart of covenant faithfulness is loving the LORD: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Joshua further expressed that loving the LORD shown by refraining from idolatry: “you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day” (Joshua 23:7-8). Tragically, Joshua’s warning will prove prophet as the nation of Israel unfolds: “For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the LORD your God has given you” (Joshua 23:12-13). For the LORD will always show Himself faithful.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe