Joshua 23

Joshua’s Final Message to the Leaders

1 A long time passed after the Lord gave Israel rest from all their enemies, and Joshua was getting’ up there in age.

2 He called a meeting with all of Israel’s leaders - elders, heads, judges, and officers - and said, “Look, I am old now, way up in years.”

3 “You have seen what the Lord your God did to all those nations. He fought for you - He is the One who brought the W’s.”

4 “I gave out the land for your tribes - from the nations we already took to the ones still standing. Your borders stretch from the Jordan to the sea in the west.”

5 “The Lord your God will keep pushing out the rest of those nations ahead of you. You will take the land - just like He promised.”

6 “So be strong. Stay on point to do everything written in the Book of the Law of Moses. Do not slip to the left or the right.”

7 “Do not mix with these other nations still among you. Do not even say their gods’ names, swear by them, or bow down to them.”

8 “Stick with the Lord your God - just like you have been doing up to now.”

9 “The Lord has been dropping big nations for you all. Nobody has been able to stand against you.”

10 “One of you all could chase a thousand - because God got your back, like He promised.”

11 “So love the Lord your God. Do not let that slip.”

12 “But if you turn back, and start hanging with the leftover nations, marrying and mixing in -”

13 “Know this: God will not keep driving them out. They will become traps and whips, thorns in your eyes, till you fade from this land He gave you.”

14 “I am about to check out - all humans must go someday. You know deep down, not one promise God made failed. He came through on all of it.”

15 “But just like He kept His good word, if you break His covenant and start wilding with other gods, He will bring the heat.”

16 “If you cross that line and bow to fake gods, God will be mad for real. You will be wiped out from this land quick - the land He gave you.”