A Few Words Before I GoSample

Joshua told the people to remain true to the Lord

“Be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left … but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day.” (Joshua 23:6-8)

The book of Joshua describes how, with God's help, the Israelites conquered their land from the nations that had previously lived there. This was part of God's plan to punish these wicked nations. By the end of Joshua's life, not all the territory had been conquered, but enough that the Israelites could live in peace in their land. When Joshua noticed that his life was coming to an end, he gave his people one last piece of urgent advice: they were to always cling to the Lord their God and keep His laws. Serving other gods was absolutely forbidden.

Joshua felt it was so important to say this one last time that he called together “all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers” to listen to his farewell words. The future of the people depended on it: “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 be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that He has given to you.” (Joshua 23:16).

Joshua took keeping God’s commandments very seriously. What do you think, should we still take this seriously today? Or can we be a little more relaxed about it?