The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Cleave” it comes from the Hebrew Word “dabaq” which means “to cling, to cleave to.”
Old and near the end of his life, Joshua gathers Israel’s leaders for one final word of warning and encouragement. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Joshua 23.
A long time after Israel finally rests from war against their surrounding enemies, Joshua, now old and well advanced in years, calls together all Israel, their elders, judges, and officers, reminding them of everything they have personally seen the Lord do to all these nations on their behalf, “for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.” He encourages them to be very courageous in keeping and doing everything written in the book of the law of Moses, turning neither to the right hand nor to the left.
Joshua warns them specifically against mingling with the nations still remaining among them, or mentioning, swearing by, serving, or bowing down to their gods, but instead to “cleave,” “dabaq” in Hebrew, meaning to cling closely, unto the Lord their God, exactly as they have done until this day. He reminds them that one man of Israel has been able to chase a thousand enemies, since the Lord Himself fights for them exactly as He promised.
Joshua warns solemnly that if Israel turns back and joins with the remaining nations, intermarrying with them, God will no longer drive those nations out before them, and they will instead become snares, traps, scourges, and thorns to Israel, until they perish from this good land the Lord has given them. He reminds them that just as every good promise the Lord made has come completely true, so also every evil consequence He warned about will just as surely come to pass if they turn away from Him.
Joshua’s warning wasn’t abstract theory. He had personally watched every single promise God made come true throughout his entire lifetime, and used that firsthand track record to make his final warning land with real weight. If God’s blessings proved completely reliable, Joshua reasoned, His warnings deserved to be taken every bit as seriously.
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