To read this text CLICK HERE

Joshua 23:12-13, 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, 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.

The last two chapters of the book contain Joshua's two farewell speeches.  In chapter 23, Joshua is very pastoral, providing encouragement to the Israelites to love God, continue to follow God's law, and avoid becoming contaminated by the pagan people groups around them.  He also reminds the Israelites that God will remain with them as they continue to conquer those pagans who still reside in Canaan.  I love how he states, "Your God fights for you."

But then there is a stern warning. If the Israelites do become connected to these pagan peoples and intermarry with them, then the blessings of God will not last.  God will no longer fight for them and they will risk losing the promised land.  It's almost painful to read this because we know the rest of the story.  The people do become enchanted with the pagans and their gods.  The people don't follow God's ways.  They stray.  Despite many, many chances to get right with God, the Israelites fall hard.  God lifts his hand of protection and they do eventually lose the land. 

This speaks to an important point: the land belongs to God and not to Israel.  All they have, all they have achieved has been because God provided it. How quickly this gets lost.

How quickly this point also gets lost in our own lives!  In the lives of the Israelites, all they had came from God.  We may live on the other side of the cross but really our lives aren't that different.  God is still provider, protector, and sustainer.  As Christians, we serve Jesus as Savior AND Lord.  When we say "Jesus is Lord," that means he is Lord of all things, of every area of our life, and that we submit it all to him.  Our bodies, our homes, our jobs, our bank accounts, belong to Jesus.  We can't hold anything back.  Romans 11:36 reads, For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Let's pray...Jesus, You are Lord and Savior.  All I have is yours.  All I have is from you and to be used for your glory.  Help that truly be reflected in the way I do life.  I want to glorify you.  More of you, less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.