Josué 23

Josué 23

MacDonald - All along the highway, to the right and to the left, there are side streets and alleys which lead to the haunts of sin. “Let’s be true to Jesus, though a thousand voices from the world may call.” Deuteronomy 4:6 (BE DOERS OF THE WORD) “So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ Deuteronomy 29:9 “So keep the words of this covenant to do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. Numbers 15:39 “It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, Deuteronomy 16:12; “You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes. Deuteronomy 30:8 “And you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. Exodus 32:8 “They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” Deuteronomy 2:27 ‘Let me pass through your land, I will travel only on the highway; I will not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32 “So you shall observe to do just as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. Deuteronomy 9:12 “Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go down from here quickly, for your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them; they have made a molten image for themselves.’ Deuteronomy 11:16 “Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. Deuteronomy 17:17 “He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself. Deuteronomy 17:20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel. THE PATH TO POSSESSION STRAIGHT AHEAD IN OBEDIENCE The key to possession of the land was obedience to the Word. It is still the key to possessing our blessings. In these farewell chapters (Joshua 22-24), the Spirit filled, wise, aging Joshua speaks his last words (which should always be "lasting words") to the young nation of Israel - Three strong closing exhortations replete with warnings for disobedience - (1) Joshua 22:5-6 to the 2.5 tribes (2) Joshua 23:6-13 (3) Joshua 23:14-28. The book of Judges is a sad testimony that the following generations did not heed his warnings. Don Anderson points out that "This is such a great passage because now at the end of Joshua's life he is telling the leaders who are going to survive him the very things that the Lord told him way back in the beginning--Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9. Joshua 1:7-9+ “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. “Only be strong (chazaq) and very courageous; be careful (shamar; Lxx = phulasso) to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Be very firm (chazaq) , then, to keep (shamar; Lxx = phulasso) and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses - NET - "Be very strong! Carefully obey all that is written in the law scroll of Moses" In a word "OBEY!" Obey what? Not Joshua per se, but the Word of God and thus obey the God of the Word! They had a written copy of the Torah to guide their steps! They had no excuse! (And beloved, neither do we! In fact we are more accountable!) Note that there are 3 verbs in Joshua's charge and all 3 were also found in God's charge to Joshua in Joshua 1:7 (be strong, observe or obey and do). In the Septuagint be very firm (ESV - be very strong - chazaq) is katischuo and is a command in the present imperative (see need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) calling for them to be strong and powerful continually, having the strength or capability to obtain an advantage, be dominant or prevail. It speaks of the capability to defeat or win a victory over an adversary. Remember that even in the OT, the Spirit was present providing His spiritual power which was necessary to enable those who were believers to keep this charge. Paul Toms adds that "In stressing obedience, Joshua was passing on the advice that he himself received earlier. He was told, "Joshua if you obey, if you keep the law of God, you will be blessed" (see Josh. 1:7). Twenty years later, Joshua is saying, "If you obey and keep the law of God, you will be blessed." He is passing it on." (This Land Is Your Land) This charge reminds me of Paul's parting words to Timothy in which he said "You therefore, my son, be strong (present imperative) in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Ti 2:1+) Book of the Law - Dt 28:58, 61; 29:17, 20–21; 30:10; 31:24, Joshua 1:8 In the ancient world, reading written texts and even meditating on them were usually done aloud (Ex 13:9; Dt 30:14; Ps 19:14; 119:13; Ac 8:30) Guzik on all that is written - They must do all that is written in the Book. We tend to focus on the aspects of obedience that we like and skip over the parts that attract us less. So that (PURPOSE) you may not turn aside (sur) from it to the right hand or to the left - (see Dt. 5:32+; Dt 17:11, 20+) In this context, even turning to the "right" is always wrong! NET = "so you won't swerve from it to the right or the left," Walk straight ahead on the "highway of holiness." This is the walk that God would bless with victory over the enemies. How could one turn? The context (v7) gives one of the most deceptive ways which is to associate with the godless pagans! Moses helps understand turning aside writing "do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them." (Dt 28:14+) So this charge has to do especially with idolatry. THOUGHT - When tempted to turn to the left or right, to a questionable place, ask yourself, “Would I like to be found on that "sideroad" when Jesus comes back?” (1Jn 2:28+) Or "Would it cause a brother to stumble if they saw me taking a spiritual detour?" (1Co 8:13+)