Joshua 23:1-10

1 A long time afterward, the LORD gave the Israelites peace with all their enemies around them. Joshua was old, near the end of his life.

2 So he called all the leaders, chiefs, judges, and officers of Israel together. He said to them, "I am old, near the end of my life.

3 You have seen for yourselves everything the LORD your God did to all those nations. The LORD your God fought for you!

4 I have given you the territory of the nations that still remain as an inheritance for your tribes. This includes the territory of all the nations I have already destroyed from the Jordan River westward to the Mediterranean Sea.

5 The LORD your God will expel them right in front of your eyes and force them out of your way. You will take their land as the LORD your God told you.

6 Now you must be very strong to keep and to do everything written in the Book of Moses' Teachings. Don't turn away from them.

7 Don't get mixed up with the nations left in your territory. Don't ever mention the names of their gods or swear an oath to them. Don't ever serve their gods or bow down to them.

8 But you must be loyal to the LORD your God, as you have been until now.

9 The LORD has forced important and powerful nations out of your way. Not one person has ever been able to stand up to you.

10 One of you used to chase a thousand. That was because the LORD your God was fighting for you, as he had promised you.

Joshua 23:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 23

Joshua being old, convenes the states of Israel a little before his death, Jos 23:1,2; and in his address to them observes what God had done for them, and would do, Jos 23:3-5; and exhorts them to keep the commandments of God, and cleave to him, and not to mix with the Gentiles, and join with them in idolatrous practices, and then it would be well with them, Jos 23:6-11; but otherwise should they join with them, and depart from the Lord, who had so faithfully and punctually performed every good thing he had promised them, they might expect all evils and calamities, utter ruin and destruction, to befall them, Jos 23:12-16.