Promised Land Living: Following the Leader: Josh 23

I. Joshua’s Warning vs. 1-7

A. Joshua died at 110, this wasn’t too long before that.

B. Joshua had 31 victories under his belt (Josh 12), but he knew that it wasn’t him, it was Yahweh who was really fighting the battles. We must realize that anything we accomplish, is the Lord accomplishing it through us. Gal. 2:20

Galatians 2:20 NASB95

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

C. Spiritual warfare isn’t naming it and claiming it or rebuking the devil. It is being obedient, and surrendered moment by moment to Jesus Christ, letting Jesus fight your battles.

D. The battle’s we fight has to do with making the decision(s) to do whatever the Lord says to do or not to do. If Israel was to associate/ go along with these other nations then they would be in dire straight. If they had driven them out, they could have lived in peace for centuries.

II. Joshua’s Admonition vs. 8-13

A. They were to cling to the Lord that is love Him with everything we’ve got. If we don’t cling to/live Jesus with everything we’ve got then we will be prone to living a defeated life.

B. If you play with temptation like Israel did, you will negate a lot of, if not all of the work/living surrendered that you’ve already done. It is not that you can’t be restored, but it will take a long time and a lot of hard work. For Israel it took centuries. (Gordon MacDonald ex)

III. Joshua’s Recollection vs. 14-16

A. Yahweh’s promises are true, and never fail. Joshua is challenging them to not fail as well!

B. Joshua saw what happened, when his generation failed to follow Yahweh. So he almost begs this next generation to not follow in their footsteps.

C. Who will we follow?