It is the Lord our God who has fought

"It is the Lord our God who has fought" - Joshua 23:10-14 Joshua's command was to strive and keep God's law. God would continue to cast out the enemy, but the people would have to be obedient to His commandments. They should keep themselves pure from the idolatry of the nations and from intermarriage with the Canaanites. Otherwise, these pagans would be a source of continual distress for the Israelites.

I. None of God's words had been lacking. (Joshua 23:14)

A. The whole land was not in the hands of the Jews.

1. (Deuteronomy 7:22) Jehovah your God will cast these nations before you little by little.

2. It was necessary so that the beasts of the field would not increase against you.

3. Little by little, they were to be tested and there they will show if they really serve God or their disordered passions.

4. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) We cannot yoke unequally with unbelievers.

5. Separation is vital (life) for the man of God.

6. We cannot be subject to the Lord and at the same time walk with His enemies.

7. (Joshua 23:2) I am already old and advanced in years.

8. As a reason to hasten to convey these warnings and instructions to them, since being so old, he could not expect to be with them much longer.

9. As a "reason" for them to pay more attention to him, since age had given him great experience.

10. He had grown old in "the service he had rendered to the nation," "without concern" for his own interest or comfort, so that they should keep him more regard.

11. Probably, it was the last year of his life, and he lived 110 years. (Joshua 24:29)

12. (Joshua 23:3) And you have seen all that the Lord our God has done; not what I have done or what you have done, "but what God has done" on your behalf “through me."

13. Joshua longed for the people: But the Lord your God you will follow; Delight in Him, depend on Him, dedicate yourselves to His glory, and continue to do so to the end.

14. Let us be able to follow this advice.

15. Let's not be so committed (to remain very firm and determined on an idea) in your opinion how things should be or your obstinacy of vanity goals, for applause, prices.

16. (Joshua 23:11) Joshua instructs them on what they must do to persevere in the true religion.

17. If we are to stick to God and not leave Him:

a. We must always be awake, "for many souls of infinite price" are ruined because of carelessness: "Guard therefore your souls diligently."

b. What we do in matters of religion, we are to do "for the sake of love," not by imposition or by a servile fear of God, but spontaneously (voluntarily or by selfimpulse, naturally) and with joy so that you love Jehovah your God and do not turn away from Him.

18. (Joshua 23:12-16) He admonishes them with all affection about (with the appreciation he feels, shows his love) the fatal consequences that would follow from their apostasy. (renounce their beliefs): If you turn away, "it will be your undoing."

19. (Joshua 23:12) As he describes the apostasy against which he admonishes them.

20. The first step would be to relate amicably to idolaters.

21. The next would be to arrange marriages with them.

22. And the consequences would be (Joshua 23:16) honoring other gods and bowing to them.

23. As he describes the ruin upon which he admonishes them.

a. That these bad habits acquired from the Canaanites that are difficult to eliminate would be by ties and traps, both to induce them to sin and to engage in foolish denials (without maturity, without prudence, without judgment, or wisdom), foolish projects and all kinds of disadvantages and inconveniences.

b. That the wrath of God was to be kindled against them. Associating with the Canaanites would not only give these idolaters the opportunity to do them many and great harms (moral or material, physical harm), as one who breeds snakes in their womb", but they would provoke God", and would cause Him to become an enemy of them and kindle against them the fire of divine displeasure.

c. That all the threats of God's word were to be fulfilled, as He had promised, "for the God of eternal and faithful truth," in both fulfilling the promises and the "threats" (Joshua 23:15). You have kept the excellent promises, as long as you remain faithful to God, so will Jehovah bring upon you all his threats if you turn away from Him.

24. I am to enter everybody's way," that is, I will die soon.

25. Now that I am approaching the end of my days, it is the right time to look back to the past years; recognize, then... that not one word has been missing from all the good words which Jehovah your God had spoken of you. (Joshua 21:45) And He had said many! Amen.