Introduction

Comment on famous last words—things people said moments before they died. Some can be comical, others more serious and reflective.

Explain how Joshua 23 takes place a long time after the events described in Joshua 22.

Explain what Joshua hopes to achieve with his speech: he wants to encourage obedience and prepare the next generation of men to lead God’s people.

The need for separation from the nations

• Explain how the nations feature prominently in this speech.

• Explain the two choices presented to Israel: cling to the Lord or cling to the nations.

• Explain what it means to cling and what Joshua wants from Israel’s leaders.

Ongoing temptation & the destiny of the nations

• Explain how the Israelites will be tempted to become like the people of Canaan.

• Explain/Apply: the Christian life is not passive but active. We must take steps to cling to the Lord otherwise we will drift along with culture and eventually forsake God.

• Explain the destiny of the nations and what happens to all those who worship false gods.

• Explain/Apply: we must have nothing to do with other religions but we must treat all people with respect. Pray for your non-Christian friends and family.

Certainty of God’s promises

• Explain/Apply: the Lord will help his people to fight against the nations/their sinful desires. He has promised to do so by his Spirit.

• Explain/Apply: the Lord warns his people that judgment will come if they are caught up with the nations. This warning ought to encourage us to leave sin and pursue Christ.

Conclusion

Let us listen to these final words of Joshua. You must live in Canaan but you must not be of Canaan. You must live in the world but you must not be of the world. Be aware of your sinful desires and natural tendency to drift into disobedience. Fight against this temptation by clinging to the Lord, by developing godly habits and patterns. Prayer and Bible reading in the morning, family devotions, and Lord’s Day worship are vital disciplines if you are to continue in the Christian life. And do not even think of associating with other religions. They cannot save; they lead only to ruin and destruction. Stay far away from them and call those who are trapped within to repentance and faith in Christ. That is how you must live in the land; that is how we must live as we wait for Christ to return in glory. By his Spirit may the Lord help us to cling to him, knowing that his promises are sure and our future with him is certain.