EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
Joshua had a deep faith
built on a good memory
___
Joshua 23:1-6, 11,14
___By Ellis Orozco
___Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen
___If you knew you were speaking to your loved ones for the last time, what would you say? Joshua, at the very end of his life, speaks to the leaders of Israel for the last time. He uses the occasion to call them to remembrance. He warns them never to forget some very important things.
___ The Lord's protection (Joshua 23:1-3). Joshua begins his farewell address by 
reminding the leadership of Israel that it was the Lord God who fought the battles for them. The human tendency is to take the credit for the good things that happen and delegate the blame for the bad things that happen. It could be that Joshua learned an important lesson from Moses' mistake at Kadesh (Deuteronomy 32:51). Whatever the case, Joshua is all too familiar with the human dilemma and reminds the leaders to stay humble.
___ The Lord's provision (Joshua 23:4). Joshua continues by reminding the leaders of Israel that God also had provided for them. He points to the comfortable homes they were living in and reminds them it was God who provided. Joshua by implication is also reminding the people they formerly lived in the desert and slept in tents. Now they were sleeping in houses and farming their own land. It was a miracle of God's provision.
___ The Lord's preparation (Joshua 23:5,11). Joshua changes from the present tense to the future. He reminds the leaders they can count on God to bless them because God is faithful. He led them out of bondage in Egypt. He prepared an escape route through the waters of the Red Sea. He prepared a dinner feast of manna and quail every night in the desert. He destroyed the walls of Jericho. Joshua seemed to be saying, "God did not bring us this far to let us fall--he will prepare the way in the future as well."
___That future was dependent on their love relationship with God (Joshua 23:11).
___ The Lord prepares the way for those who love him and are faithful to his purposes (Psalm 23:5-6; Romans 8:28).
___ The Lord's precepts (Joshua 23:6). Joshua then directs the leaders of Israel to remember the Lord's precepts.
___Through Moses, God had given them certain laws. Those laws were meant to help Israel flourish. Just as loving parents will lay down rules and regulations for the protection of their children, a loving God has laid down certain rules and regulations for the protection of his children.
___Many today see God's laws as oppressive and dictatorial when, in fact, they were given to provide loving guidance and protection. Joshua knew how rebellious the people could be. He warned them never to forget God's laws.
___ The Lord's promises (Joshua 23:14). Finally, Joshua points to God's faithfulness. God never fails to keep his promises. Every promise God made to Abraham had been kept. His descendants were increasing exponentially, and they had possession of the Promised Land.
___It is an indescribable joy to look back at how God has kept all of his promises. Joshua in his old age had a profound faith. That faith was based on his good memory. Joshua looked back at the span of his life (110 years) and said, "God has never failed us ... not even once!"
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