Joshua 23:11

11 "Now, vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God.

Joshua 23:11 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 23:11

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves
To be upon their guard, and to be watchful, were very necessary to them, that they might not be ensnared by the Canaanites, and drawn aside by them into idolatry, and so apostatize from the Lord and his worship, since their temptations would be many:

that ye love the Lord your God;
which would the most strongly influence and engage them to serve and worship the Lord, and obey his commands, and be the best preservative against idolatry and false worship.

Joshua 23:11 In-Context

9 "God has driven out superpower nations before you. And up to now, no one has been able to stand up to you.

10 Think of it - one of you, single-handedly, putting a thousand on the run! Because God is God, your God. Because he fights for you, just as he promised you.

11 "Now, vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God.

12 Because if you wander off and start taking up with these remaining nations still among you (intermarry, say, and have other dealings with them),

13 know for certain that God, your God, will not get rid of these nations for you. They'll be nothing but trouble to you - horsewhips on your backs and sand in your eyes - until you're the ones who will be driven out of this good land that God, your God, has given you.