CSSA 1-2-13 - JOSHUA DIES

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38. JOSHUA DIES

"As for me and my house we will serve Yahweh"

Aim

To show how faithful Joshua encouraged the people to serve God, but after he died they soon forgot his example and turned to idols.

Synopsis

A long time after God had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, Joshua called for all Israel to hear a solemn message before he died. He was "old and stricken in age" and his work was almost finished, but he wished to give Israel words of warning and encouragement to strengthen them in the days ahead.

Joshua 23 and 24

JOSHUA'S WARNING TO ISRAEL: Joshua 23

In his last words to the children of Israel, Moses had commanded them that, when they entered the land they must destroy the Canaanites. They were to make no covenant with them nor marry them (Deut. 7:1-4). Moses knew very well that any agreement between the Canaanites and Israelites would only end in God's people worshipping heathen gods. Israel at last settled in the land and Joshua, now an old man, reminded them how God had driven out the Canaanites before them, just as He had promised. Joshua knew that there was only one way in which they could keep themselves separate and continue to receive God's blessings in the good land He had given them. They must do what Joshua had always done - they must read His Word every day and obey it (see Josh. 1:8).

"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 there from 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 Yahweh your God, as ye have done unto this day" (vv6-8).

Joshua told Israel: "If you mix with the heathen nations and make marriages with them, God will no longer drive them out before you and they shall be snares unto you ... therefore it shall come to pass that as all good things are come upon you, which Yahweh your God promised you; so shall Yahweh bring upon you all evil things, until He have destroyed you from off this good land which Yahweh your God hath given you" (vv12-15).

Obedience would bring blessings and happiness but disobedience would make God angry and He would punish them. It was up to them to choose between good and evil.

THE COVENANT RENEWED AT SHECHEM: Joshua 24

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel and their leaders to Shechem to hear his last message. His words were very stirring. He reminded them of how God had taken their father, Abraham, away from the idolatrous city of Ur and brought him into this land, where he worshipped the One True God. He spoke of Isaac and Jacob and the Hebrew people, who came out from slavery in Egypt under Moses. So he told them their family history, showing how God had blessed their forefathers as long as they had trusted in Him. And now He had given them this lovely land, with fruitful vineyards and olive trees, which they had not had to plant themselves. Cities were there for them to dwell in, which they had not built. All this God had given them. "Not one thing hath failed of all the good things" which God had promised them (Josh. 23:14). To show God how thankful they were for all these blessings they should serve Him alone "in sincerity and truth".

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve", said Joshua, "but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh" (v15).

The people were moved by Joshua's speech and realized that they must never turn back to idolatry. "God forbid that we should forsake Yahweh, to serve other gods. Yahweh our God will we serve, and His voice will we obey" (vv16, 24). Joshua then made a solemn covenant with the people and "wrote these words in the book of the Law of God and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of Yahweh" (v26). He told the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us ... lest ye deny your God" (v27). The stone was to be a reminder to them of their promise to "serve Yahweh".

JOSHUA'S DEATH: Joshua 24:29-30

Joshua had fulfilled his work of bringing the children of Israel into the Promised Land.

Now the time had come for him to "go the way of all the earth" (Josh. 23:14). He died at the age of 110 years, having patiently and courageously followed in the footsteps of Moses, and he was buried in his inheritance in Timnath-serah.

LESSON FOR US

There will come a time when we must choose whom we will serve. Idolatry is the thing that will lead us astray from God. Idolatry is not just bowing down to a statue or image. It is loving anything more than God. It is putting something or someone other than God in first place in our life.

We may, for example, love to play sport. This can be good, healthy fun € but sport can easily become the thing we enjoy doing most of the time. If we are not careful, we may soon be pushing God's Word into second place in our lives. Bible readings, Bible seminars, helping others, both old and young in the ecclesia, by kindly actions or friendly letters € these are the things God wants us to do. These are the things that build our character, making us good and faithful servants like Joshua. If we have any spare time after that, then whatever we do must be done in a way that will please Him whether working or just doing things with our friends.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

Why were Israel not to make any agreement with the Canaanites?
What was it that would help them keep separate from the Canaanites?
When Joshua was old, he called Israel together. Where did they meet to hear his last message to them?
Complete Joshua's words - "As for me ..."
At Shechem, what did Israel promise to do?
Where aid Joshua place a great stone ?
Why was the great stone set up at Shechem?

Detailed Answers

Joshua gave Israel a warning to keep separate from the Canaanites.
1. How could they keep themselves separate?
2. What did he say would happen if they did not?