Online Sermons
Lesson #8 - Joshua's Farewell Counsel
Series: No Time For NeutralityLESSON #8 – JOSHUA’S FAREWELL COUNSEL
Address To Israel’s Leaders / Chapter Twenty-Three
1. When Joshua neared the end of his life (advanced in years/vs.1), he convened a meeting of the leaders of Israel:
the “elders and their heads”… judges … officers … and most likely the priests.
It is often assumed that this gathering took place at Shiloh, where the tabernacle was located. cf. 28:1
2. Joshua’s message was delivered in triplicate - - vss.3-8 … vss.9-13 … and vss.14-16.
With a repetitous theme Joshua reflected on God’s providence and underscored the need for Israel to be faithful.
~ Intertwined in Joshua’s message was a sober warning for ancient Israel.
Be very firm, then, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses / vs.6
You are to cling to the Lord your God / vs.8
So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the Lord you God / vs.11
Joshua was concerned about Israel’s temptation towards “assimilation”?
~ Would Israel cultivate a friendship with the world or would she remain pure?
~ Would Israel intermarry with the nations around them? - vs.12
~ Would God’s people transgress His will and choose to serve other gods? - vs.16a
If the children of Israel went astray, they would bring upon themselves the wrath of God. - vs.16b
3. Can this tendency to conform to the world around us (Rom.12:2) be seen in the church of our day?
Address To All Israel / Chapter Twenty-Four
1. This gathering takes place at Shechem, a few miles NW of Shiloh.
Shechem was the place where Abraham built an altar to Jehovah God - Gen.12:6-7.
At Shechem Jacob buried his family idols. - Gen.35:4
At Shechem (Mount Ebal / cf. Deut 27:4 with Josh.8:30-35), in keeping with instructions from God,
after the first phase of the conquest Joshua erected an altar (pillars of stone) inscribed with Law of Moses.
2. Here in this “sacred” place Joshua orchestrated a “renewal of the covenant”.
He rehearsed God’s dealing with the nation of Israel in times past right up unto the conquest of Canaan. - vss.2-13
~ God spoke through Joshua (thus says the Lord). - vs.2
Seventeen times the personal pronoun “I” is used for God.
Next, Joshua called upon the people to renew the covenant. – vss.14-15
Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…
~ Joshua took the lead in declaring, As for me and my house, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!
~ The multitude followed his example and affirmed their intentions to be faithful (thrice stated). - vss.18, 21 & 24
Joshua recorded their pledges of fidelity and set up a large stone under an oak tree as a “witness”. - vss.26-27
~ In the short term, how did Israel fare in being faithful? - vs.31
3. The book of Joshua closes with three burials. - vs.29f
Joshua is buried, having lived to be 110.
The bones of Joseph (who died in Egypt) are buried. cf. Gen.50:24-25 and Ex.13:19
Eleazar (the high priest and son of Aaron) was also buried.
