Joshua 23:12,13
“For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain with you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they will be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you.”
Joshua is old and giving his parting words to the people. This is the end of an era. Moses and Joshua were a team. One which the Lord used to extract the people from Egypt and to bring them to the promised land. Moses was phase one and Joshua was phase two. They will transfer to the judges era.
Israel was God’s people in which He used as a metaphor for salvation after Adam’s fall. They were to be holy and dedicated to the Lord. Just as a husband and a wife are to be solely devoted to each other, so was Israel to be bound to God. The Lord didn’t want them to be mixed with the other nations. Race wasn’t the issue, but faith. If they did intermarry, then some would adopt foreign religions and forsake the Lord. That is Joshua’s message.
This devotion is a model for a type which Christians will enter in the New Testament. It’s no longer a national relationship, but one for each of us. 2 Corinthians 6:14 shows us that message about marriage isn’t to the nations but to the individual, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?” God no longer works with one nation, but with each of us. The message went to the gentiles. Israel is given the offer of salvation not as a nation, but are seen as individuals.
This message of Joshua’s is meant for every person. The commandments of God being our Lord is for each of us. We aren’t to have any idols before Him. The focus isn’t just on God, but we have been introduced to the other two members of the trinity, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We go to the Father and ask for the forgiveness that Jesus purchased for us. We receive that and are born again through the Holy Spirit which lives inside of us for all eternity.
Jesus is now our Lord. We read His Word and follow Him. The Holy Spirit gives us nudges as He directs us. He points out areas in which we are to grow. He gives us the power to change. Upon regeneration He gives us a new nature. One that craves to do the things God wants us to do.
It’s an amazing life. God loves us so much and wants good things for us. It’s a beautiful thing to walk with Him. God is jealous for our devotion. We should honor that. We should be jealous for Him. It’s a love relationship.
Thank You, Lord for creating us and drawing us to Yourself. Thank You for redeeming us. Thank You for being patient with us to see Your great news and see all You have done for us. Help us to return that devotion to You.
