Joshua 23

Josua being grown old , assembleth all Israel , and declareth how wonderfully God had fought for his people , and given them the lands of the subdued nations for inheritance , v.1 , & c. therefore he exhorteth them to be diligent in keeping the Law written by Moseh , 6. And to beware of going in , and mixing themselves with the idolatry of the heathen , 7. Setting before them the mercies which they had received of God , and yet were to receive , 9 . With threatning of Gods judgements , if they should forsake the Lord ,11.

1. And it came to pass after many days , ['T was about fourteen years after they were come into the land of Canaan : Compare this with the Annot. above chapter 22.3.] after that the LORD had given Israel rest from all their enemies round about : and Josua was old ( and ) stricken in age : [Heb. was come unto days]

2. That Josua called all Israel , [Underst. the Heads and Princes , with all those of the people that could give their appearance or attendance thereunto] their eldest , and their heads , and their judges , and their officers : and he said unto them , I am grown old , and stricken in age .

3. And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations before your face : for it is the LORD your GOD himself that hath fought for you.

4. Behold ; I have made these remaining nations [viz. which were yet to be warred upon , and destroyed by the Israelites] to fall unto you by lot , for inheritance unto your tribes , from Jordan , together with all the nations which I saw destroyed , and unto the great Sea , toward the going down of the Sun.

5. And the LORD your God himself shall thrust them out [To wit , the heathen nations which yet remain in the land of Canaan] before your face , and he shall drive them out before your face ; and ye shall possess their land by inheritance , according as the LORD your God hath spoken [i.e. promised] unto you.

6. Therefore be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the Law of Moseh, that ye may not depart from it to the right hand , nor to the left .

7. That ye go not in to these nations , these that yet remain amongst you : [i.e. entertain no fellowship or society with them : for he that dealeth with Pitch , is soiled therewith. Some understand this , as if the Israelites were forbidden here to marry with those nations . See below v.12.] neither remember the name of their gods , [oth. make no mention of the name of their gods] nor swear by them , [the meaning is , Swear not by the gods of the heathen , nor cause others to swear by them : See Exod.23.13. Deuteronomy 12:3. Psal.16.4.] nor serve them , neither bow your selves before them .

8. But ye shall cleave unto the LORD your God : even as ye have done this day.

9. For the LORD hath driven out from your face great and mighty nations : and as for you , no man hath subsisted before your face unto this day.

10. One man among you shall chase a thousand : for it is the LORD your God himself that fighteth for you , according as he hath spoken [i.e. promised] unto you.

11. Therefore keep your souls diligently , that ye love the LORD your God .

12. For if in any wise ye turn aside , and cleave unto the remnant of these nations , of these that remain among you, and do joyn your selves in affinity with them , and that you shall go in unto them , and they unto you :

13. Know for certain , [Heb. know knowing] that the LORD your God will not go on to drive out these nations from before your face : but they shall be unto you for a snare , and for a net , and for a scourge on your sides , [of old they were wont to whip , or scorge mens sides , as may be gathered here , and Ecclesiasticus 30.12. and 42.5.] and for thorns in your eyes , untill ye perish from this good land , which the LORD your God hath given you.

14. And behold , this day [i.e. soon , ere long : for Josua made this exhortation not just the same day that he dyed , but somewhat before] I go the way of all the earth : [ i.e. I dye , even as all men that live upon the earth , and in all your soul , that there is not one word fallen [compare 1 Sam 3.19. with the Annotat. there] of all those good words , which the LORD your God hath spoken concerning you , they are all come upon you , there is not one word of the same fallen .

15. And it shall come to pass , according as these good things are come upon you , which the LORD your God spake unto you : so shall the LORD cause to come upon you all those evil things [Oth. words ; viz. wherewith he hath threatned you , if ye should not keep and obey his commandments] until he casteth you from off this good land , which the LORD your God hath given you .

16. When ye transgress the covenant of the LORD your God , which he hath commanded you , and ye go away and serve other gods , and bow down your selves before the same ; then shall the anger of the LORD kindle against you , and ye shall perish quickly from the good land which he hath given you .