(Joshua 23:6-8)
6 Therefore be very courageous to keep
and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn
aside from it to the right hand or to the left,
7 and lest you go among these nations,
these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their
gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down
to them,
8 but you shall hold fast to the Lord
your God, as you have done to this day.
According to God’s promise, God will let
the new generation go into Canaan. They experienced the dry land of the Jordan
River (Joshua 3) defeated the Canaanite nations (Joshua 6-12). Looking back, we
can know that these all are miracles made by God. If God didn’t be the marshal
of the Israel people. People were slaves to Egyptians. Who has the faith to
pass through the terrible weather wilderness? Who have the confidence to beat
those Anakim, who was much taller than them and protected the cities of Canaan?
Who can take the responsibility to take care of Israelites and lead them to the
land of Canaan?
(Joshua 23:14) "Behold, this day I
am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and all your
souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your
God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them
has failed
God is justice and loves people. He will
protect his sheep but only if his sheep follow him.
When Moses and Joshua were leaders, when they
inheritance positions from other people they have been told repeatedly,
"You should be careful and follow God’s words".
When the people were in Egypt, God already
commands Moses that they cannot worship idols as Canalise did. They need to
follow God’s words and God will help them to beat the enemy. (Exodus 23:22-33)
Before Moses died, he told Joshua that he
needs to be alerted and follow the decrees and laws. Because this is related to
the life you will live longer by God’s guidance. (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)
Finally, before Joshua died, he told the
people that they shouldn’t worship other gods, don’t be associate with Canalise
and follow God and love God with all their heart and not walk sideways. (Joshua
23:6-8)
God will only protect the sheep who follow
His command. Smart sheep will listen to the shepherd, it wouldn’t walk
sideways. Listen to the shepherd’s instruction can never go wrong. If a sheep
follows its shepherd, they will always be food and water although they might be
some difficulty if it listens to the shepherd’s voice, it will finally find a
restful waterside.
Joshua was once timid, so God once told him
confidently: Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua:1 6-9) So at this
moment, Joshua decided to stand up! Because he experiences God’s love and
learns from his teacher Moses how God lead the people to get out of the
wilderness. Follow God forever and not walk sideways. The only way to save your
life is to be baptized and enter the sheepfold. Learn from Moses and Joshua
that you need to listen to a shepherd, follow God’s instruction, and love God
with all your heart.
(Psalm 91:14-16) 14 "Because he has
set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high,
because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long
life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."
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