Joshua 23

III. JOSHUA’S LAST ACTS AND DEATH CHS. 22-24 The main part of the second half of the Book of Joshua, dealing with the division of the land, ends with the appointment of the Levitical cities (chs. 13-21). The rest of the book deals with settlement in the land (chs. 22-24). There is much emphasis in these chapters on the importance of remaining faithful to God (Joshua 22:5; Joshua 22:16; Joshua 22:18-19; Joshua 22:25; Joshua 22:29; Joshua 22:31; Joshua 23:6; Joshua 23:8; Joshua 23:11; Joshua 24:14-16; Joshua 24:18; Joshua 24:21; Joshua 24:23-24). This emphasis grows out of the record of God’s faithfulness that Joshua 21:43-45 affirms.

“Each of the final three chapters describes a single event. At first glance, these events seem to be a random collection of leftovers: a dispute between the tribes about an altar, a farewell address, and another covenant ceremony. However, upon closer examination it becomes apparent that they all focus on a single matter, the proper worship of Israel’s God-how to offer it and what will happen if Israel does not do so.” [Note: Hess, p. 287.

Joshua 23:1-13

1. A reminder of past blessings 23:1-13 Joshua reminded the Israelites of God’s faithfulness in fighting for them and giving them victory over their enemies, as He had promised, if they kept His covenant with them. Joshua urged the people to remain loyal and promised that God would then drive out the Canaanites that still remained in the land (Joshua 23:4-7; Joshua 23:12-13). “Joshua passed on to Israel the secret of success and prosperity that the Lord had given him at the beginning of the Conquest [Joshua 1:6-7; Joshua 1:9; Joshua 1:18]. God’s promise [concerning occupation of the land] was not unconditional; Israel’s faithfulness was required.” [Note: Madvig, p. 362. “To make mention of the names of the idols [Joshua 23:7] (Ex. xxiii. 13), to swear by them, to serve them (by sacrifices), and to bow down to them (to invoke them in prayer), are the four outward [false] forms of divine worship.” [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, p. 224. “For Israel, Yahweh claimed to fulfill all the functions for which other nations needed a multitude of gods. The problem was that Israel could never really come to believe the claim totally. She constantly sought the favors of the gods who had claimed to give fertility to the land long before Israel entered it or the gods who seemed at the moment to have military power.” [Note: Butler, p. 255. The nation as a whole had been faithful to God during Joshua’s administration. Therefore he did not mention individual sins and failures here.

Joshua, as Moses, called the people to love Yahweh as well as obey Him (Joshua 23:11). He also reminded his hearers of the dire consequences of failing to obey God out of love (Joshua 23:12-13). “If Israel does not do her part, then God will not do his. Here is the danger of freedom. God seeks man’s free response of love. God does his part to deserve and receive such love. God does not force his attentions upon man. But the man who ignores God’s claims finds God’s punishment.” [Note: Ibid., p. 256.

Joshua 23:14-16

2. A warning of possible future cursing 23:14-16 In this summary section Joshua concisely restated the main ideas previously expressed in more detail. His warning to the people was strong. God would be just as faithful in sending discipline on His people if they transgressed His covenant as He had been in sending blessing because they had been obedient in the past. The initial success of the conquest had been due to God’s blessings on His obedient people. The complete extermination of the Canaanites and the Israelites’ full possession and enjoyment of the land would require the same obedience and blessing. The motive for obedience should be gratitude. Our present obedience, loyalty, and love (Joshua 23:6; Joshua 23:8; Joshua 23:11) should spring naturally from appreciation for God’s faithfulness in the past and confidence in His promises for the future.