In Joshua 23, the Hebrew word translated as nation appears a total of seven times in the ESV (Joshua 23:3, twice in Joshua 23:4, Joshua 23:7, Joshua 23:9, Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13). This suggests that Israel’s relationship with the nations is the focus of this passage. Though love for God is also highlighted (Joshua 23:11), it seems as if this love is particularly identified with Israel’s attitude to the nations around them. Will Israel drive them out in battle? Will Israel mix with them in marriage? Now that they are living in Canaan, will God’s people become like Canaan or will they be salt and light for God’s glory?

In his encouragement to these leaders, there is a particular word which Joshua uses to highlight the choice that lies ahead of Israel. And that is the idea of clinging. We first come across that word in Joshua 23:8, but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. Then again in Joshua 23:12, if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you. Clinging to the Lord is thus contrasted with clinging to the nations.

To cling is to hold fast or unite yourself to someone. Most famously in Genesis 2:24 that word is used to describe the relationship between husband and wife. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife. An intimate life-long union—that is what it means to cling to someone.

Positively then, these leaders are encouraged to cling to the Lord. Keep the terms of the old covenant and submit to the law of Moses—that is how you must show your love for God who has rescued you and given you this land. That is how must cling to him.

Negatively, do not mix with the nations. There must be no marriages between Israelites and Canaanites; the names of their gods must not even to be mentioned and there are certainly to be no sacrifices or bowing down to them. Complete separation. You must be in Canaan but you must not be of Canaan.