Setting – Joshua gives his farewell address to Israel.
Contents – Joshua reminds Israel (v. 6-7), “Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, (7) so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make {anyone} swear {by them,} or serve them, or bow down to them.” He reminds them that it’s the Lord that drove out the other nations and it will be the Lord will not drive them out if Israel if the mix with these nations (v. 16), “When 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 burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.”
Application – God blesses those who follow Him. He cannot bless those who are ‘intermarried’ with sin. Joshua tells Israel that they are to (v. 8) “But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” We need to cling to our God. Our relationship with Him is not one of convenience, but is necessity, servitude and gratitude. We cling to God because we love Him. In our love for Him comes our righteousness, due to us gladly following His ways. I want God to win my battles; I want to go before me into war.
Contents – Joshua reminds Israel (v. 6-7), “Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you may not turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left, (7) so that you will not associate with these nations, these which remain among you, or mention the name of their gods, or make {anyone} swear {by them,} or serve them, or bow down to them.” He reminds them that it’s the Lord that drove out the other nations and it will be the Lord will not drive them out if Israel if the mix with these nations (v. 16), “When 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 burn against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which He has given you.”
Application – God blesses those who follow Him. He cannot bless those who are ‘intermarried’ with sin. Joshua tells Israel that they are to (v. 8) “But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.” We need to cling to our God. Our relationship with Him is not one of convenience, but is necessity, servitude and gratitude. We cling to God because we love Him. In our love for Him comes our righteousness, due to us gladly following His ways. I want God to win my battles; I want to go before me into war.
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