V. The last instructions of Joshua: Part 1 -
Towards the leaders (chapter 23).
After Israel
captured the land, they enjoyed peace for a while. However, because they
resided together with the Canaanites, they were gradually influenced by them.
Joshua was advanced in age and he knew that his days on earth were numbered. So
he gathered the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers and instructed
them earnestly and tirelessly.
1. Witness
the great and wonderful works of God (1-5).
a.
It is the Lord who has fought the war for you
(3, 9-10).
(a)
The people entered Canaan
and received the land as inheritance: they were victorious and captured the
land not because of the wisdom and strategies of Joshua, or because they fought
courageously, but because they relied on the power of God (Eccl ; Ps 20:7; cf. Gen 14:20; 1 Sam 17:45-47).
b.
The work of land allocation had been completed
(4).
(a)
He divided the captured land to the
various tribes as inheritance in accordance with the instructions of God.
c.
The promises of God will not be in vain (5).
(a)
Part of the land had yet to be captured, but
through the promise and the great power of God, it will be captured as
inheritance.
2.
Instructions and exhortations to the elders and
the officers (6-11).
a.
Be very courageous to keep and to do all that is
written in the Book of the Law of Moses; do not turn to the right or the left
(6).
(a)
The Book of the Law will not depart from their
mouth that they may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
For then He will make their way prosperous (Josh 1:7, 8).
b.
Do not mix and mingle with those who remain
among them (7, 8).
(a)
Do not intermarry with them (12).
(b)
Do not follow them in their evil traditions (7).
(c)
Do not serve their gods (7).
c.
Rely only on their God (8).
(a)
Do not rely on the false gods, do not rely on
your own understanding (Prov 3:5), ability (Jer 17:5-8), or wealth (Mt ; 1 Tim ).
(b)
Be extra cautious and rely on God (11; 2 Cor
11:2, 3).
3.
Words of admonishment.
d.
If they do not heed the teachings of
God, these consequences will befall:
(a)
Unable to chase out the enemies.
(b)
Enemies will be snares and traps to them, and
scourges on their sides and thorns in their eyes (13; Deut 7:1-6).
(c)
Harmful things will come upon them (15).
(d)
They will perish
quickly in the beautiful land (13, 15-16; Judg 2:1-5).
