Joshua 23

Thursday Evening Bible Study

May 26, 2011

Introduction

The book of Joshua is a book about the Promised Land.

The Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

They spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

When they crossed the Jordan River, they had to fight to conquer this land promised to them by God.

Now the land has been divided up, the people had been sent off to settle their new farms and cities.

23:1-16 Joshua’s Farewell Address

:1 Now it came to pass, a long time after the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age.

:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: “I am old, advanced in age.

:1 a long time after

It’s been about 10 years since Israel has conquered the land.

Joshua, the old warrior, is nearing the end of his life and has some important things to pass on before he dies.

Joshua will die at the age of 110.

In a sense, the people are like those believers who have settled into a kind of maturity in the Lord, but they face another foe than the sword.

They are facing the inner challenge, of drifting away from the Lord.

:2 elders … heads … judges … officers

It’s possible that Caleb Joshua’s old spy buddy is there.

Eleazar the high priest is probably there.

The soldiers (veterans) who had helped conquer the land were probably represented well.

Play “Our Heroes” video clip

:3 You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you.

:4 See, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward.

:5 And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

:5 the LORD your God will expel them

Lesson

Trusting the right person

With the passing of a great leader like Joshua, the temptation is to think that things will never be the same, that we’ll never have times as good as these ever again.

For some of us, we’ve looked at Billy Graham as a great man that God has used. But there will be a day when Billy has gone on to heaven. Will things be the same?

For some of us, we’ve appreciated Chuck Smith and the movement that happened around him. But there will also be a day when Chuck is gone. Will things be the same?

For others its people like Greg Laurie, or Francis Chan. The issue is the same. One day they too will be gone.

For some of you, you’ve been disappointed in a person you were counting on.

I would imagine that some of the people who were counting on the Rapture happening on My 21 were more than a little let down.

Through the years I’ve seen various pastors and Christian leaders stumble and do foolish things, and many people are hurt and disillusioned.

There are some pretty bizarre stories out there about pastors who have done horrible things.

Many people are left confused and disillusioned.

And though I understand the disappointment, and I don’t want to excuse the sins of these people, there is another issue we need to identify.

Sometimes we’ve come to trust in the wrong person.

In reality, it has always been God who has helped us.

The Psalmist wrote:

(Ps 44:3 NKJV) For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored them.

All through our lives, God is the “person” we need to be trusting.

God can and will use people.

But ultimately our trust is in God.

Like the people in Joshua’s day, some of us have seen some battles and are beginning to feel like it’s time to slow down and relax.

Be careful of thinking that you’ve “arrived”.

There is always more work to be done in our lives and our character.

There are certainly more people to be reached with the gospel.

And we still need to trust God.

:6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

:6 be very courageous

These words might sound familiar to those of you studying Joshua. These are the same words that God spoke to Joshua when he found himself in charge of the nation:

(Jos 1:7 NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Lesson

Passing on the legacy

Joshua now passes on this same charge to the next generation.

These were the very words that God spoke to Joshua, and these were the words that helped Joshua fight the wars and win the victory.

In a way, Joshua is passing on his legacy to the next generation.

Play “John Wayne wish for daughter” clip.

I know that John Wayne might not have been the best example in all aspects of his life, but I really like the heart behind this.

Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual “son” in the faith:

(2 Ti 2:2 NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Paul had taught and demonstrated the principles of walking with God to Timothy. He challenges Timothy to pass it on to someone else.

We have a responsibility to pass on what we’ve learned about the Lord to the next generation.

Do you have people around you that are younger in the Lord than you? What kinds of things do you share with them?

For some of you, it’s time to think about the Children’s Ministry.

:6 to do all that is written in the Book

Lesson

Pay attention to the book

God’s Word was at the center of Joshua’s Life.

David wrote,

(Ps 1:1–3 NKJV) —1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

True prosperity – the life of a man who walks with God no matter what is going on around him – it comes by spending time learning and soaking in God’s Word.

Paul wrote to Timothy:

(2 Ti 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Spending time learning and living God’s work gets us ready for what God has for us in life.

When Ezra made the trip from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuilt the Temple, he experienced God’s hand on him during the journey:

(Ezr 7:9–10 NKJV) —9 On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. 10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra didn’t just work at learning God’s Word, but doing it, and then passing it on to others. As a result, the “good hand of his God” was on him.

:7 and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

:8 but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

:7 not make mention of the name of their gods

Lesson

Innocence

I think that there are times when we dabble just a bit too much in the things of the world.

Sometimes we do it because we want to be accepted by certain friends who are “cool”.

Sometimes we do it out of curiosity.

Sometimes we do it because we are still very much attracted to the ways of the world like a moth to a flame.

I think there are times when we might even do it because we think we need to know what the world is like if we’re going to reach it.

My concern is that if we’re not careful, we will get caught in it.

Joshua doesn’t even want the Israelites knowing the names of the gods of the Canaanites.

We are prone to wander.

The quicker we realize this, the better.

Illustration:

Robert Robinson had been saved out of a tempestuous life of sin through George Whitefield's ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy, never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Sadly, Robinson wandered far from those streams and, like the Prodigal Son, journeyed into the distant country of carnality. Until one day -- he was traveling by stagecoach and sitting beside a young woman engrossed in her book. She ran across a verse she thought was beautiful and asked him what he thought of it.

Prone to wander -- Lord, I feel it --

Prone to leave the God I love.

Bursting into tears, Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

We too are prone to wander.

I’m concerned that every time we expose ourselves to the wickedness of the world we are giving the enemy something to grab a hold of us with.

When people make some off color comment, may we be so unpolluted that we wonder what they mean instead of snickering at the reference.

:9 For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day.

:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

(Le 26:7–8 NKJV)

:11 Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.

:11 that you love the LORD your God

:11 love – ‘ahab – to love

Lesson

Obedience from Love

For most guys, watching movies like “The Notebook” or “Jane Eyre” can be difficult, at least if there’s a new Rambo movie out.

Most guys don’t secretly sneak away and spend hours with movies like that.

But when you fall in love with someone who likes to watch movies like that, well things change.

Obeying God can be a difficult thing.

We can have so much more “fun” when we disobey.

Yet when we “love” God, that all changes.

Jesus said,

(Jn 14:15 NKJV) “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

We could look at that as some sort of “threat” or “order” to love Him.

But I think the sense is more that when we love Him, we WILL keep His commandments. We will love to do what He wants.

How do we find a love for God?

Look at the cross. Look at what Jesus did for you.

The Bible says,

(Ro 5:8 NKJV) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God saw that we had a problem. Our sin has separated us from Him. God took the steps necessary for us to be restored to Him – it meant having His Son die in our place.

When we find out how much God loves us, we can’t but help love Him back.

(1 Jn 4:19 NKJV) We love Him because He first loved us.

Love is cultivated

In relationships, your love for one another needs to be cultivated. Love doesn’t stay passionate on its own forever.

I’ve learned that it’s good to say nice things to each other.

Sometimes the things we say aren’t so nice – and they are kind of a “buzz kill”.

Play “Tim Hawkins - The Wife Song” clip.

Our love for God is no different.

We need to learn to cultivate our love for Him. We can learn to say good things (praise) as well as do things that cultivate our love.

Jesus said,

(Re 2:4–5 NKJV) —4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

We need to get back to cultivating our love for God.

If you don’t love Him more than you’ve ever loved Him, you’ve slipped a bit. Turn around. If there’s things that are keeping you from God, stop them. Get back to doing what you used to do.

:12 Or else, if indeed you do go back, and cling to the remnant of these nations—these that remain among you—and make marriages with them, and go in to them and they to you,

:13 know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.

:12 make marriages with them

Lesson

Unequally yoked

(Dt 7:3–4 NKJV)

:14 “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.

:14 I am going the way of all the earth

Everyone will one day die.

Have all the recent disasters affected you? Tornadoes, fires, floods, earthquakes.

We can try and cheat death, but we can’t win.

It’s best to prepare for it. The Bible says,

(Jn 3:16 NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Are you ready to die? Have you made peace with God?

Joshua is passing on important exhortations.

He’s getting the people ready for the day that he will be gone.

:15 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the LORD your God promised you, so the LORD will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.

:16 When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed down to them, then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.”

:15 the LORD will bring upon you all harmful things

Lesson

Tough Love

Just as God is Faithful to Help, God is Faithful to Judge

As Christians, we no longer face the prospect of eternal judgment, but we may still face the chastisement on earth due to fact that we are God's children.

(Heb 12:5–6 NKJV) —5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”

The word translated “chasten” has to do with raising and training children.

There are times when as God’s children, the words just aren’t getting our attention, and He has to resort to something more drastic to turn us around.

Not all problems are a result of our sin, but there are times when you have been walking in disobedience, and you know the trouble you’re in is a result.

God will allow discipline in our lives for one reason – because He loves us.

He loves us too much to allow us to go on without some sort of warning to get our attention.

If we pay attention to the discipline when it is happening, and turn around, there is a good result:

(Heb 12:11 NKJV) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

If you sense you are being disciplined by God, be thankful that God loves you enough to have gotten your attention.

Learn your lesson. Be “trained” by it. Turn around.

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision

The book of Joshua is a book about the Promised Land.

The Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt.

They spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness.

When they crossed the Jordan River, they had to fight to conquer this land promised to them by God.

Now the land has been divided up, the people had been sent off to settle their new farms and cities.

23:1-16 Joshua’s Farewell Address

:1 Now it came to pass, a long time after the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua was old, advanced in age.

:2 And Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them: “I am old, advanced in age.

:1 a long time after

It’s been about 10 years since Israel has conquered the land.

Joshua, the old warrior, is nearing the end of his life and has some important things to pass on before he dies.

Joshua will die at the age of 110.

In a sense, the people are like those believers who have settled into a kind of maturity in the Lord, but they face another foe than the sword.

They are facing the inner challenge, of drifting away from the Lord.

:2 elders … heads … judges … officers

It’s possible that Caleb Joshua’s old spy buddy is there.

Eleazar the high priest is probably there.

The soldiers (veterans) who had helped conquer the land were probably represented well.

Play “Our Heroes” video clip

:3 You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you.

:4 See, I have divided to you by lot these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, as far as the Great Sea westward.

:5 And the LORD your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So you shall possess their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

:5 the LORD your God will expel them

Lesson

Trusting the right person

With the passing of a great leader like Joshua, the temptation is to think that things will never be the same, that we’ll never have times as good as these ever again.

For some of us, we’ve looked at Billy Graham as a great man that God has used. But there will be a day when Billy has gone on to heaven. Will things be the same?

For some of us, we’ve appreciated Chuck Smith and the movement that happened around him. But there will also be a day when Chuck is gone. Will things be the same?

For others its people like Greg Laurie, or Francis Chan. The issue is the same. One day they too will be gone.

For some of you, you’ve been disappointed in a person you were counting on.

I would imagine that some of the people who were counting on the Rapture happening on My 21 were more than a little let down.

Through the years I’ve seen various pastors and Christian leaders stumble and do foolish things, and many people are hurt and disillusioned.

And though I understand the disappointment, and I don’t want to excuse the sins of these people, there is another issue we need to identify.

In reality, it has always been God who has helped us.

The Psalmist wrote:

All through our lives, God is the “person” we need to be trusting.

Like the people in Joshua’s day, some of us have seen some battles and are beginning to feel like it’s time to slow down and relax.

Be careful of thinking that you’ve “arrived”.

:6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

:6 be very courageous

These words might sound familiar to those of you studying Joshua. These are the same words that God spoke to Joshua when he found himself in charge of the nation:

(Jos 1:7 NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

Lesson

Passing on the legacy

Joshua now passes on this same charge to the next generation.

These were the very words that God spoke to Joshua, and these were the words that helped Joshua fight the wars and win the victory.

In a way, Joshua is passing on his legacy to the next generation.

Play “John Wayne wish for daughter” clip.

Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual “son” in the faith:

(2 Ti 2:2 NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

:6 to do all that is written in the Book

Lesson

Pay attention to the book

God’s Word was at the center of Joshua’s Life.

David wrote,

Paul wrote to Timothy:

(2 Ti 3:16–17 NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When Ezra made the trip from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuilt the Temple, he experienced God’s hand on him during the journey:

:7 and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

:8 but you shall hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.

:7 not make mention of the name of their gods

Lesson

Innocence

I think that there are times when we dabble just a bit too much in the things of the world.

Sometimes we do it because we want to be accepted by certain friends who are “cool”.

Sometimes we do it out of curiosity.

Sometimes we do it because we are still very much attracted to the ways of the world like a moth to a flame.

I think there are times when we might even do it because we think we need to know what the world is like if we’re going to reach it.

We are prone to wander.

The quicker we realize this, the better.

Illustration:

Robert Robinson had been saved out of a tempestuous life of sin through George Whitefield's ministry in England. Shortly after that, at the age of twenty-three, Robinson wrote the hymn Come, Thou Fount.

Bursting into tears, Robinson said, “Madam, I am the poor unhappy man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I had then.”

We too are prone to wander.

I’m concerned that every time we expose ourselves to the wickedness of the world we are giving the enemy something to grab a hold of us with.

:9 For the LORD has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day.

:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.

:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand

(Le 26:7–8 NKJV)