The Tale of Two Witnesses Part 2

Before I begin the message this morning, I want to discuss the church picnic, which will be held on August 18th in Stafford. During our time of worship that morning, I plan to share a brief message, but we will also be giving each of you a chance to give a testimony of what God is doing in your life, how you have seen Him working and what He has been teaching you. It is not intended to be a time of patting each other on the back, or thanking one another (though it is wise to do that). It is going to be a time of praising and thanking God for His work in our lives. Please begin to think about something you would like to share with us that morning.

The Second Witness

Last Sunday we focused on the altar which was built by the 2 1/2 tribes settled on the other side of the Jordan River. The altar was built as a witness/ testimony the God of Israel is the One True God. That was the first witness we see in the last few chapters of the book of Joshua.

A stone is the 2nd witness, which we are told of in these last few chapters of Joshua.

Joshua sets up a stone as a witness/ memorial near the end of . This morning and next week, we will be looking at what specifically the stone of witness is supposed to signify/memorialize.

Joshua 23 ESV

1 A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, 2 Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. 3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. 4 Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Therefore, 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, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. 9 For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you. 14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. 15 But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, 16 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 is Old and Advanced in Years

Not only are we told that Joshua is old, we are told that he admits that he is old. Now this is a side note, but I feel it is worth mentioning. We need to be willing to admit our mortality and our limitations. We also need to recognize the importance of training up the next generation or generations to serve the Lord.

I also think it is important for us to take note of this because it helps us to understand the urgency with which Joshua is speaking and the fact that he had eternity in view.

It is good and healthy for us to recognize our limitations and to make the most of the time that we have.

Redeeming the time is something taught throughout the Word of God.

Ephesians 5:16 ESV

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15–16 ESV

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Joshua recognizes his days are limited, and so he makes the most of his time by calling back together the people of Israel. He calls together the leaders of all the tribes, who are scattered around because he has something special to tell them.

As we look closer at we will be able to easily identify the specific facts that Joshua wants to be sure they understand. He states them very clearly and he states them three times, just to be sure they (and we) get the message.

The chapter can be broken down into four sections.

Verses 1&2 are an introduction, which sets the stage, fills us in on the specifics of the event. This meeting is taking place (probably in Shiloh, where the altar of God has been set up) near the end of Joshua’s life, with all the leaders of each of the tribes, after they have had rest from conquering/possessing the land. Most commentaries estimate this meeting took place between 10 & 20 years after the other events in the book of Joshua happened.

Joshua’s Farewell charge in this chapter can be broken down into three sections (vs 3-8, vs 9-13 and vs 14-16)

Joshua

Joshua 23:3–8 ESV

3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. 4 Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Therefore, 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, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day.

Joshua 23:9–13 ESV

9 For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.

Joshua 23:

Joshua 23:14–16 ESV

14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. 15 But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, 16 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.”

In each of these sections Joshua says repeatedly. . .

The Lord your God is . . .

Faithful/ Ever present

Fighter/ Strong and Mighty in Power

Fulfiller/ Promise Keeper

He will never leave you or forsake you, He will never change. He will accomplish what He has promised and will protect and provide for His people.

His people should . . .

Be Strong to Obey the Law of God

Obey

Love the Lord your God

Cling to the Lord your God

One way to think about or illustrate someone who clings to the Lord and their commitment to the Lord is by comparing someone who is a Wall Street trader versus an investor. I want to encourage you to not be a trader. It is better, in this case to be an investor. Let me explain the difference.

Traders are trying to make a quick buck, turning over stock on small margins over and over again. Investors are in it for the long haul, based upon the reputation and performance of the company (in this case the Lord God of Heaven). Investors tie themselves to the mast of the ship. They are committed and will cling to their company in the good and bad, knowing in the end there will be great reward. Cling to the Lord, for He is good and has proven Himself over and over again.

Refer to passages in the Taste & See article.

So Joshua reminds the people of the Great God, who has blessed them, fought for them and been faithful to fulfill His promises, then He reminds them what they should be doing. Finally, he gives them a warning.

His people should not . . .

Mix w/ the foreign nations (worship their gods)

Become one with people who worship other gods

Fail to serve the One True God!

Cling to the other nations & their gods

Or Else . . .

He will not drive the inhabitants of the land out any further

They (the people of Canaan) will become a snare, trap, whip and thorn

His judgement and wrath will come.

His blessing will be removed

One thing I found particularly interesting is that each of the three sections of chapter 23, begin with a statement concerning who God is and what He has done. I think that is important for us to remember. God is who He is and does what He does, first and foremost because He is Holy, Just, immutable/unchanging, faithful, powerful, and loving. Israel’s actions and behaviors did not change who God was. He made a covenant and kept it.

The point is that in this case the Israelites did not do certain things that made God respond a certain way, or become more loving or more protective, or provide more. He made the promise and followed through.

Now, He does say, if they turn their backs and follow other gods, then He will allow them to suffer the consequences of their choices. His hand of blessing will be removed if they forget Him and worship other gods.

As believers, there are occasions when our faith is tested, when doubt arises in our hearts, as to whether our Heavenly Father is truly faithful, whether the Gospel of Grace is able to bear the weight of our sin, whether walking the Christian walk is worth the work and the sacrifice.

It is necessary for us to CLING TO THE LORD and we do that as we meditate on Scripture, daily putting on the armor of God. We allow Scripture to set our hearts and minds on the truth and on Heavenly, eternal things. Joshua understood the spiritual battle, many of the Israelites lost the battle to keep loving the Lord their God. They followed after other gods and failed to obey the Word of the Lord.

We too, face temptations and false witnesses, that attempt to steer us away from the truth of the Word of God. Jesus warned us of such occasions.

Matthew 24:24 ESV

24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

As children of God, who have been saved by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, the one who bore the punishment of our sin, we can take comfort in the words of Christ

Matthew 16:18 ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And we rest in the knowledge that He is fighting for us even now.

John 17:15 ESV

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

So we walk in faith, ever cautious of the warnings throughout Scripture. We are warned about those who are not truly believers, those who simply confess with their mouth but do not believe in their heart.

1 Corinthians 16:22 ESV

22 If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

Matthew 24:24 ESV

24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

And we live with the hope of future glory

1 Cor

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV

9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

1 Cor

Joshua wanted to leave the Israelites with an important message. God is faithful and strong and true, cling to Him, obey Him and trust Him, doing so will be a blessing and a benefit. Failing to do so, will bring pain, hurt, sorrow and shame.