Joshua’s Farewell Address

Joshua 23:9–16
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As this chapter opens some twenty years have passed since the wars in Canaan. Joshua knew that his days on this earth were numbered. He had a deep concern, for he observed a growing complacency on the part of Israel toward the Canaanites that still dwelt in the land which should have been exclusively theirs. Before his departure, he felt compelled to warn them that continued obedience to God’s commands was essential to continued enjoyment of his blessing (v. 8). It was understood that though Israel’s enemies as a whole had been subdued, it was each individual tribes responsibility to drive out any remaining adulterous people (v. 9). With this in mind, Joshua summoned Israel’s leaders to Shiloh for both a challenge and a warning:

His challenge was for:

1. Courage (v. 6)
2. Obedience (v. 6)
3. Refusal to compromise (v. 7)
4. Devotion to God (v. 8)
5. Love for the Lord (v. 11)

His warning was that compromise would lead to the following results:

1. God would leave Israel on her own (v. 13)
2. The enemies would be a constant menace (v. 13)
3. Israel would meet ultimate doom (vv. 15-16)

Israel’s greatest danger was moral and spiritual. Moses had warned Israel against compromising with the evil nations in the land (Ex. 23:20-33; 34:10-17; Deut. 7:12-26) and Joshua reaffirms that warning.

Application

I need to be careful about demanding my own way because eventually I may get it- along with all its painful consequences.