Today’s thought – Joshua’s Instructions

Dec 6 leavesA fall find on Saturday

Good Morning

Joshua 23:6-11
So be very courageous and steadfast to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning not aside from it to the right hand or the left, That you may not mix with these nations that remain among you, or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them. But cling to the Lord your God as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; and as for you, no man has been able to withstand you to this day. One man of you shall put to flight a thousand, for it is the Lord your God Who fights for you, as He promised you. Be very watchful of yourselves, therefore, to love the Lord your God. Amplified Bible

Everything depended on whether or not Israel would continue to be faithful to the covenant. Joshua’s words do not conceal his apprehension. Seven times he refers to the idolatrous nations still left in Canaan. He knew the snare they would be to Israel and he therefore prescribed three safeguards.

First, there must be brave adherence to God’s word (Joshua 23:6).

Second, there must be a vigilantly continued separation from the Canaanite nations (Joshua 23:7).

Finally, there must be a cleaving to the Lord with real and fervent love. (Joshua 23:8-11).
~~~ J. Sidlow Baxter, Explore the Book

Joshua 23:1-1
And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.  And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:  And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.  Behold, I have divided unto you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even unto the great sea westward.  And the LORD your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the LORD your God hath promised unto you.  Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;  That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:  But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.  For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day.  One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.  Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. KJV

Consider the instructions . . . Today
With my prayers, desiring your. Leslie