Day 88 – Joshua 22-24

Talking Points

• The command is repeated: the Israelites are to be “careful” to walk in His ways (22:5). The word means they are to be diligent and mindful that how they live matches God’s commands. It carries the understanding of “remaining on the alert.” Walking as God commands doesn’t just happen, and it doesn’t happen easily. It requires thoughtfulness and effort. Nothing has changed.
• The two-and-a-half tribes who reside across the Jordan are accused of acting unfaithfully and raising an altar to a false god. The issue is settled, and unity results. All of the sons of Israel desire that future descendants will know they worshiped the one true God.
• Again, we see the importance given to the written Word of God (23:6).
• As Joshua nears death, he assembles the people. He publicly reminds them of God’s great faithfulness. He then calls them to choose between committing to God or following false gods. He does not allow them to duck the question or stay in the middle. Following the one true God is a total, whole-hearted commitment. Each one should decide for himself. The people affirm they will do as Joshua has done and follow God.
• Joshua has been faithful. His service to God ends with the people in the Promised Land, living in peace, and following God. He was an obedient tool in the hand of God. The people are blessed, and God is honored.

Thoughts

I once heard someone complain about the current generation, saying, “They won’t commit to anything!” They were bemoaning the fact that, despite their best efforts, they just couldn’t get people to whole-heartedly commit to the cause they were promoting.

While I do believe we have a commitment problem today, I think the problem is exactly the opposite. I think the problem is that our generation commits to everything! We have great intentions, we hate to let anyone down, we’ve got tons of terrific options, and so we commit to it all. We are not under-committed; we are ridiculously over-committed.

In our verses today, we find this command: “But you are to cling to the LORD your God” (23:8). God was telling His people that in their new land, in times of prosperity and in times of trouble, they were to cling to Him. The key word is “cling.” In Hebrew, it means “tightly cling, hold fast, cleave, or stick.” It is the same word used to describe the marriage relationship. God’s people are to stick to Him. They are to zealously hold onto Him.

What in the world would that mean for them? What does it mean for us today? From the repeated context of Scripture, it means that God’s people are to be marked by three things:

• total commitment
• continual obedience
• singular worship.

Read those again — total commitment, continual obedience, and singular worship.

Lord, today, in our world of endless options, unlimited choices, and constant distractions, may we cling to You.