Evening in the hill country: a small walled hill town of stone and mud brick above terraces of olives and vines, and at one doorway an old man sitting on a stone bench with his staff across his knees, looking out over the land.

The Book of

Joshua 23

Joshua is old. Before he goes, he tells Israel’s leaders the one thing that has never failed them, and the one thing that could.

16 verses≈ 4 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

Tap any post to go deeper

In this chapter

Where we are

1–5Crossing overInto the land
6–12Taking the landThe LORD fights for Israel
13–21Dividing the landAn inheritance for each tribe
22–24Choose this dayServe the LORDChapter 23

Joshua’s Charge to Leaders

A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years, he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

“I am old and well along in years,” he said, “and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you.

From an Israelite village terrace at evening, a deep valley, and on the far side a Canaanite walled town still standing on its mound, hearth smoke rising peacefully.

See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea. The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

The LORD fought for you

Joshua had led every battle, yet he takes no credit: “it was the LORD your God who fought for you.” Look back over your own life. Write down two or three battles you now see were won for you, not by you. Then thank Him for each one by name.

Joshua

you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day

Joshua 23:8

The LORD has driven out great and powerful nations before you, and to this day no one can stand against you. One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.

Therefore watch yourselves carefully, that you love the LORD your God.

Joshua

Joshua

For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them, know for sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become for you a snare and a trap, a scourge in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the LORD your God has given you.

Question

Quick question

Joshua knew where Israel’s strength came from.

How many did Joshua say one Israelite could put to flight?

Joshua 23:14

But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you.

Sunrise over the hill country in early summer: terraced slopes of olives, vines and ripening wheat, a village of flat-roofed houses on the ridge, and mist in the valleys.

If you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from this good land He has given you.”

Pray

Not one has failed

Joshua could say to a room full of people who had lived it: “not one promise has failed.” Thank God for the promises He has kept to you, naming as many as you can. Then ask Him for grace to hold fast to Him, and not to the gods the world around you serves, all the days He gives you.

You’ve experienced

Joshua 23

0 of 24 chapters read

A verse to carry with you

Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

Joshua 23:14

or swipe left