JOSHUA'S FINAL FAREWELL

PROCLAMATION

“And it came to pass a long time after … that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.  And Joshua called for all Israel, and for the elders … and said to them, ‘… ye have seen all that The Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for The Lord your God is He that hath fought for you.’ ”  Joshua 23:1-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After years of peace and rest from their enemies which were all around them, Joshua calls all of Israel together.  He tells them that he is old and stricken in age.  He tells them that The Lord God has fought their battles for them and defeated all of the nations around them. (Joshua 23:1-3)  He says that God has done great things for them and they should remain close to Him and follow His commands. (Joshua 23:6-11)  Then he cautions them and says that if they turn from The Lord God they could lose the land which He has given to them. (Joshua 23:12-13)  He tells them that he is about to die and he warns them that if they transgress and serve other gods, the anger of The Lord God will burn against them and they will be driven from the land. (Joshua 23:14-16)

 

APPLICATION

Sometimes the worst thing that can happen to us is to be blessed with success, prosperity, and plenty.  We tend to get an over inflated image of ourselves and we forget about God.  We have all been blessed in more ways than we can count and we should be grateful and thank Him daily.  If we do not acknowledge The Lord God and give Him praise, honor, and glory for all that He has done, then we may lose the blessing which we have been given.  If we turn from Him, He will withdraw from us and we will also lose the protection from our enemies.  All that we have, and all that we are, is the result of the goodness of God and we need His continued grace and mercy in order to maintain what we have.