Scripture: Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day. For the LORD has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day.
Joshua 23:6-9 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, once reunited with families, the leaders of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh erect an imposing altar. When the other tribes hear the news, they organize a militia and converge at Shiloh with the intent to wage war against their heretical brothers. Thankfully, the eastern tribal leaders praise the Lord, call on his name, and explain their edifice witness to all of Israel that their heirs are as much a part of God’s chosen people. And they assure their compatriots that they will not offer sacrifices to the Lord on this memorial. Phinehas and the chiefs return to their westerly tribes and explain that the altar is solely a memorial. Joshua adds that the eastern tribal leaders named the altar Witness.
Today’s reading covers Chapter 23, which comprises Joshua’s farewell address to Israel’s leaders, knowing his end is drawing near. After the introduction, as theologian Donald Madvig summarizes, Joshua quickly moves to the point of the chapter: “…to be faithful to the Lord and to obey his law. This would be the secret of victory for Israel over the pockets of resistance that remained” (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Joshua, p.361). Hence, Joshua presents a three-fold charge to the elders to be “very strong” and:
- Obey all God’s laws (verse 6 above), echoing Yahweh’s command to him at the beginning of the conquest (v.7).
- Avoid mixing, mentioning, swearing, and bowing down—describing the slippery slope to adopting the idolatrous worship practices of their pagan neighbors (v.7).
- Cling to the Lord just as they have done up to this point in the conquest (v.8).
Joshua then reminds Israel that Yahweh drove the “great and strong nations” out before them (1:9a). And, likely reflecting on Israel’s history of wanderlust, Joshua emplores them to nurture their love for the Lord (v.11). Otherwise, Israel will “cling” to the remnant of these pagan nations (v.12), whom Yahweh will permit to persecute them (v.13). The remainder of the chapter reiterates the consequences of unfaithfulness.
Chronological note: In the opening line, Joshua tells us that a long time has passed, most likely dating back to when the nine-and-one-half tribes settled in Canaan (which would date to Caleb requesting his promised tract of land at age 85). Based on this assumption, scholars surmise that about a quarter of a century has passed from the historical narrative of chapter 22 to chapter 23, given that Joshua, a contemporary of Caleb, would soon pass away at age 110 (24:29).
Takeaway: The Hebrew word dāḇaq, translated as cling above, appears four times in Deuteronomy (4:4, 10:20, 11:22, and 13:4) to describe Israel’s close relationship with Yahweh. It also appears in our Creation Story about the oneness of a husband and wife (Genesis 2:24). Thus, to cling to God, Israel must pursue an intimate connection with him, borne in faith and obedience. Otherwise, because they cannot serve two masters, they will cling to sin’s allure—leading to sorrow and regret.
Our takeaway? The same applies to us. First and foremost, we must seek intimacy with our Lord and Savior. Anything less, and we will squeeze the life out of our relationships with others who will never meet our hearts’ deepest longings. But something much better awaits us when we pursue the Lover of our souls, who takes delight in us (Zephaniah 3:17) and has given his all for us (Hebrews 12:2): eternal joy as we worship and glorify him.
Our part? How do we faithfully foster an intimate relationship with our Lord? Follow Joshua’s three-point strategy:
- Obey his commands by seeking profound knowledge of and love for our perfect Lover through hearing, reading, and reflecting on his Word and putting what we learn into practice by loving our neighbor as ourselves.
- Avoid “mixing” with a self-indulgent, idolatrous culture that seeks fleeting pleasures.
- Cling to him as our only hope for the resurrection of the dead to soul-satisfying everlasting life with him.
So cling to the Lover of our souls, for he will drive out the remnants of evil before us.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your incarnate Son who perfectly obeyed and loved you, and we are deeply grateful for your perfect love for us. So, please help us to cooperate with your Holy Spirit to walk by faith, obey your commands, avoid sin’s snares, and cling to you, the Lover of our souls. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling