An Old Man’s Warning

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Opening Prayer

Great God of Love, You know me as I really am, yet You love me. How very thankful I am.

Read Joshua 23:12–16

^[12] “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, ^[13] then you may be sure that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the LORD your God has given you. ^[14] “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. ^[15] But just as all the good things the LORD your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the LORD your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. ^[16] If you violate the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the LORD’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”

Meditate

“He does the most for God’s great world who does the best in his own little world” (D. L. Moody, 1837–1899).

Think Further

With deep burden, Joshua emphasized the importance of keeping the

covenant. He told the assembled leaders how God had kept all his promises (14,15). They were

never to doubt that God would keep his part of the covenant and provide for all their needs.

Unlike their murmuring and rebellious forefathers, they were to trust and obey God alone. Then

the Promised Land would be a safe and prosperous home.

“But if you turn away…” (12); Joshua rings loudly a warning bell. How would the Israelites turn

away from God? By compromising the Law of God and adopting the ways of the Canaanites.

Because the idolatrous Canaanite religions pervaded every aspect of life, mixing with the

Canaanites and their culture without spiritual caution would result in idolatry in Israelite hearts

and homes. They were warned not to intermarry with Canaanite idol-worshippers or associate

with them (12). God had not only promised blessings, but also curses. Sinful dalliances with

idolatry would result in disaster. The Israelites would “quickly perish from the good land [God]

has given you” (16). God insisted that Israel kept itself pure from Canaanite influence because it

would severely damage Israel and its witness. Israel was God’s light of holiness and God’s

instrument to bless the nations (Gen. 12:2,3). The idolatrous nations would become “snares,”

“traps,” “whips” and “thorns” (13). Though their religion and culture may look fashionable and

desirable, behind them was great spiritual danger.

We too must take to heart Joshua’s warning. Many Christians do not have the abundant life that

Jesus promised (John 10:10, KJV) because they have compromised with the world and its many

idols. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” is the parting shot of another old

man—John—at the end of the Bible (1 John 5:21). This warning is as fresh as ever.

With deep burden, Joshua emphasized the importance of keeping the covenant. He told the assembled leaders how God had kept all his promises (14,15). They were never to doubt that God would keep his part of the covenant and provide for all their needs. Unlike their murmuring and rebellious forefathers, they were to trust and obey God alone. Then
the Promised Land would be a safe and prosperous home.

“But if you turn away…” (12); Joshua rings loudly a warning bell. How would the Israelites turn away from God? By compromising the Law of God and adopting the ways of the Canaanites.
Because the idolatrous Canaanite religions pervaded every aspect of life, mixing with the Canaanites and their culture without spiritual caution would result in idolatry in Israelite hearts and homes. They were warned not to intermarry with Canaanite idol-worshippers or associate with them (12). God had not only promised blessings, but also curses. Sinful dalliances with idolatry would result in disaster. The Israelites would “quickly perish from the good land [God]
has given you” (16). God insisted that Israel kept itself pure from Canaanite influence because it would severely damage Israel and its witness. Israel was God’s light of holiness and God’s instrument to bless the nations (Gen. 12:2,3). The idolatrous nations would become “snares,” “traps,” “whips” and “thorns” (13). Though their religion and culture may look fashionable and desirable, behind them was great spiritual danger.
We too must take to heart Joshua’s warning. Many Christians do not have the abundant life that Jesus promised (John 10:10, KJV) because they have compromised with the world and its many idols. “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols” is the parting shot of another old man—John—at the end of the Bible (1 John 5:21). This warning is as fresh as ever.

Apply

Turning away from God destroys our lives and future. How can you turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thess. 1:9)?

Closing prayer

Mighty God, You are so very important to me. Yet I have a tendency to put things ahead of You. I love money and stuff. Help me to put aside the things that distract me from You.

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