Josué 23
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 23
Spurgeon - One a Majority! “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for theLord your God, he it is that fighteth for you,as he hath promised you.”—Joshua 23:10 WHY count heads? One man with God is a majority though there be a thousand on the other side. Sometimes our helpers may be too many for God to work with them, as was the case with Gideon, who could do nothing till he had increased his forces by thinning out their numbers. But the Lord’s hosts are never too few. When God would found a nation, He called Abram alone and blessed him. When He would vanquish proud Pharaoh, He used no armies but only Moses and Aaron. The “one man ministry,” as certain wise men call it, has been far more used of the Lord than trained bands with their officers. Did all the Israelites together slay so many as Samson alone? Saul and his hosts slew their thousands, but David his ten thousands. The Lord can give the enemy long odds and yet vanquish him. If we have faith, we have God with us; and what are multitudes of men? One shepherd’s dog can drive before him a great flock of sheep. If the Lord sent thee, O my brother, His strength will accomplish His divine purpose. Wherefore, rely on the promise, and be very courageous. Joshua 23:1-13 To Chase Or Be Chased One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you. —Joshua 23:10 I once saw a monarch butterfly turn the tables on a bird. The monarch actually chased the bird away! It was a strange sight, but understandable. This species has been protected by its Creator with a taste that makes birds sick. My guess is that it can courageously chase birds—while other kinds of butterflies are being chased. The Lord has also equipped His children so we can be courageous in a hostile world. Although the foes we face may seem to be more powerful, we can resist them because of God’s special provision. This doesn’t mean He always protects His children from physical injury or even death. But when a child of God works together with God and does His will, he is unconquerable until his work on earth is done. How do we find the protection that helps us “chase away” the enemy? By trusting and obeying God. Joshua told God’s people that if they would obey the Lord, no one could stand against them (Josh. 23:10). The same God who fought for them will also fight for us. He will strengthen us to meet any challenge when we are doing what He wants us to do in the way He wants us to do it (Phil. 4:13). Though evil may surround us, We need not fear defeat; For when God fights the battle, Our enemies retreat. —Sper To trust is to triumph, for the battle is the Lord's. "I once saw a monarch butterfly turn the tables on a bird. The monarch actually chased the bird away! It was a strange sight, but understandable. This species has been protected by its Creator with a taste that makes birds sick. My guess is that it can courageously chase birds–while other kinds of butterflies are being chased. The Lord has also equipped His children so we can be courageous in a hostile world. Although the foes we face may seem to be more powerful, we can resist them because of God's special provision. This doesn't mean He always protects His children from physical injury or even death. But when a child of God works together with God and does His will, he is unconquerable until his work on earth is done. How do we find the protection that helps us "chase away" the enemy? By trusting and obeying God. Joshua told God's people that IF they would obey the Lord,NO ONE could stand against them (Jos23:10). The same God who fought for them will also fight for us. He will strengthen us to meet any challenge when we are doing what He wants us to do in the way He wants us to do it (Php4:13). Though evil may surround us, We need not fear defeat; For when God fights the battle, Our enemies retreat. –Sper To trust is to triumph, for the battle is the Lord's. Joshua 23:11 "So take diligent heed to yourselves to love the LORD your God. Hebrew literally - "Watch carefully yourselves so as to love the LORD your God." KJV Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. NET Joshua 23:11 Watch yourselves carefully! Love the LORD your God! BGT Joshua 23:11 καὶ φυλάξασθε σφόδρα τοῦ ἀγαπᾶν κύριον τὸν θεὸν ὑμῶν NLT Joshua 23:11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God. ESV Joshua 23:11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. NIV Joshua 23:11 So be very careful to love the LORD your God. YLT Joshua 23:11 and ye have been very watchful for yourselves to love Jehovah your God. LXE Joshua 23:11 And take ye great heed to love the Lord our God. CSB Joshua 23:11 So be very diligent to love the LORD your God for your own well-being. NKJ Joshua 23:11 "Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God. NRS Joshua 23:11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God. NAB Joshua 23:11 Take great care, however, to love the LORD, your God. NJB Joshua 23:11 Be very careful, as you value your life, to love Yahweh your God. take diligent heed: Jos 22:5 De 4:9 6:5-12 Pr 4:23 Lu 21:34 Eph 5:15 Heb 12:15 yourselves: Heb. your souls love the LORD your God: Ex 20:6 Ro 8:28 1Co 8:3 16:22 Jude 1:20,21 Related Passages: John 14:15; 21 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.....21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” Mark 12:30+ AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ COMMENT - Only a genuine believer can love this way, for only in the believer has "the love of God (AND FOR GOD) been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who was given to us." (Ro 5:5+) THE TIMELESS CHARGE LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD So - Term of conclusion. Based on the preceding promise of the provision of divine power. Joshua gives a concluding condition for possessing the promises. Jude 1:21+ says it this way Keep (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (FUTURE LOOKING MOTIVATES PRESENT LIVING!). Take diligent heed (shamar; Lxx = phulasso in aorist imperative) to yourselves to love the LORD your God - Diligent in Hebrew (me'od) means exceedingly, greatly, abundantly. To take...heed is not "automatic" but takes a conscious decision of one's will. In other words diligent means we are to demonstrate care, conscientiousness and persistent effort to maintain heed. Don't fall into the trap of thinking "Well, I have God's promises, grace and forgiveness, so it really does not matter how I live." WRONG! One is reminded of Paul's words "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) that he does not fall." (1Cor 10:12+). The antidote for apostasy to vain idols is love and loyalty to Yahweh. It is the basic principle of the Expulsive Power of a New Affection . Simply stated, a true love of God will overwhelm a love of this world, which is passing away and even its lusts (1Jn 2:17+). See related discussion including circumcision of their hearts in Joshua 22:5. Bush adds a good word "As the temptations arising from the presence of your corrupt neighbors, and your own peace and prosperity, are greater than they were in the wilderness, it will require greater watchfulness and diligence to keep yourselves continually approved in the sight of heaven." (Notes)
Josué 23
Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" Behold (02009) hinneh is an interjection meaning behold, look, now; if. "It is used often and expresses strong feelings, surprise, hope, expectation, certainty, thus giving vividness depending on its surrounding context." (Baker) Hinneh generally directs our mind to the text, imploring the reader to give it special attention. In short, the Spirit is trying to arrest our attention! And so hinneh is used as an exclamation of vivid immediacy (e.g., read Ge 6:13)! Hinneh is a marker used to enliven a narrative, to express a change a scene, to emphasize an idea, to call attention to a detail or an important fact or action that follows (Isa 65:17, Ge 17:20, 41:17). The first use of hinneh in Ge 1:29 and second in Ge 1:31 - "And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day." Hinneh is oftn used in the idiom "Here I am" in Ge 22:1, 7,11 Ge 27:1,18, Ge 31:11, Ge 46:2 Ex 3:4 1Sa 3:4, 3:16, 12:3, 2Sa 1:7, Isa 52:6, Isa 58:9. Hinneh is used most often to point out people but also to point out things (Ge 31:41, 17:4). God uses hinneh to grab man's attention before He brings destruction (Ge 6:13, 17). God uses hinneh when He establishes covenants (Ge 9:9, 15:12, 17 [when Jehovah cut the Abrahamic covenant], Ge 17:4, cp Ge 28:13, 15), when He provided a sacrificial substitute for Isaac (foreshadowing His giving us His only Son!) (Ge 22:13). Hinneh marks the "chance (The Providence of God)" arrival of Boaz at the field where Ruth was gleaning (Ru 2:4-read about this "chance romance" - Indeed, "Behold!"). Hinneh is used to announce the Lord’s sending of a child as a sign and a prophecy of Immanuel-Emmanuel, the Messiah (Isa. 7:14-note). In fact W E Vine says that it is notable that when behold (hinneh) is used in Isaiah, it always introduces something relating to future circumstances. GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 23 14. Going the way of all the earth. About to die, to go into the grave. To die is in a sense to go a journey, a journey to our long home; it is the way of all the earth, the way that all mankind must go sooner or later. Joshua felt himself near his end, and he would have his people look upon him and listen to him as a dying man, that so his words might sink the deeper into their hearts. He would spend his last breath in taking them to witness that God had been punctiliously faithful to every promise, and in solemnly assuring them that every threatening, however fearful, would receive an equally certain and exact accomplishment. Ye know—that not one thing hath failed, &c. The same appeal which is here made by Joshua to Israel after sixty years’ experience, may be made to every believer that ever lived. We may bring forth every promise from the Bible, and then search the annals of the world, and inquire of every creature in it, and one single instance will be sought in vain of God’s violating or forgetting a promise. The accomplishment may have been delayed or brought to pass in a way that was not expected, but the whole world may be challenged to impeach his veracity, or contradict the assertion that ‘all which he hath promised is come to pass: not one thing hath failed thereof.’ But let it not be forgotten that the veracity of God is as much pledged for the execution of his threatenings, as for the performance of his promises. The one is a proof of the other. Yet among the world of the impenitent where is there a mind divested of the floating impression, that mercy will in some way interpose to stay the outgoings of wrath? How many, alas! are now experiencing in hell what they would not believe on earth! The subsequent history of the chosen people abundantly shows that both the apostasy here deprecated and the threatenings here denounced did actually take place. Let then every Christian fear as he reads, ‘If God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee.’ The worldly, carnal, sensual Christian has no more right to expect indulgence from the justice of God than the disobedient Jew. Henry Blackaby - Not One of God's Promises Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass. . . . “Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed. It shall come about that just as all the good words which the LORD your God spoke to you have come upon you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the threats, until He has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.”Joshua 21:45; 23:14–15 (NASB) God keeps his promises. That sounds like a warm and fuzzy thought, but let’s examine what Joshua had to say about it. Joshua had walked with God his entire life—from the time he was a child slave in Egypt through his days as a Hebrew spy, through his forty-year stint in the desert, and as he led his army to victory all across the Promised Land. Joshua had seen it all. He saw how many times the Hebrews pleased God and how many times they failed him. He saw their faith and their disbelief, their obedience and their disobedience. He was there for the good days and the bad days. Joshua also observed God’s ways over his long lifetime. He saw that God kept, to the letter, every single promise he made. He concluded that God had been faithful, without exception, to his people. Joshua also saw that God would indeed judge his people for their sin, just as he said he would. Half of Joshua’s life had been spent in the back country leading a nation that was paying the penalty for its disbelief. As he looked back over his life, Joshua could say with confidence that God was completely trustworthy to do as he said he would. According to Joshua, this could be troubling or it could be comforting. It all depends on whether you’ve been faithful. Are you aware of how many promises God has made to you? It’s important that you never take his faithfulness to you for granted. It’s equally important that you don’t take your faithfulness to him for granted. Strive to be faithful to God, and you will enjoy fully God’s incredible faithfulness to you. (The Experience) Robert Hawker - Joshua 23:14 - SAY, my soul, in looking back the past year, canst thou set thy seal to this truth? Is there a promise which thy God hath not fulfilled? Is there an instance in which God hath forfeited his word? Canst thou point to the time, or place, in any one trial, or under any one affliction, in which thou hast not found God faithful? Give then the Lord the honour due unto his name. If not one thing hath failed, proclaim his glory, set forth his praise, declare his truth, let the father to the children make known that God is faithful. And oh! let thine heart bear testimony to what must be said of all his Israel, in all ages, What hath God wrought! Vance Havner - "There Failed Not Ought" There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45. In recounting the goodness of God to Israel, Joshua tells us that the Lord gave them the Promised Land just as He had said He would. Joshua repeats it in an address to the people (Joshua 23:14). Solomon said it in like fashion years later (1Ki 8:56). If you will survey the path already trod you will say so too. "There hath failed not ought of any good thing God has spoken... all came to pass." If it hasn't, it will. He which hath begun a good work in us will finish it. He will perfect that which concerneth us. It ought to fill our hearts wtih thanksgiving, our eyes with tears and our lips with praise, for "the goodness of God leadeth to repentance." "There failed not ought..." But how we have failed Him! Vance Havner - "There Failed Not Ought" There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. Joshua 21:45. In recounting the goodness of God to Israel, Joshua tells us that the Lord gave them the Promised Land just as He had said He would. Joshua repeats it in an address to the people (Joshua 23:14). Solomon said it in like fashion years later (1Ki 8:56). If you will survey the path already trod you will say so too. "There hath failed not ought of any good thing God has spoken... all came to pass." If it hasn't, it will. He which hath begun a good work in us will finish it. He will perfect that which concerneth us. It ought to fill our hearts wtih thanksgiving, our eyes with tears and our lips with praise, for "the goodness of God leadeth to repentance." "There failed not ought..." But how we have failed Him! (YES, BUT PRAISE GOD FOR Lam 3:22-23) GOD NEVER SLEEPS - Martin Luther You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Joshua 23:14 Christians are wise when they accept what God has planned and persevere in believing the promises they have from him. His promises are dependable and lasting. The Lord’s own pledge is permanent, as we read in the Psalms: “Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). But human reason responds, “That’s all fine and good. It even sounds nice. But I’m experiencing the exact opposite. God not only sleeps; he snores! In reality, there isn’t a God who takes care of me or watches over me.” Jacob was certain of God’s promises. He knew that God’s pledge was permanent. Yet when Joseph’s brothers were angry at Joseph, God didn’t spare either Jacob or his son Joseph. It was as if they had no protection at all from the holy angels. Nobody resisted the anger of Joseph’s brothers (Genesis 37:12–28). God and the angels remained dead silent. Even today, they appear to let the devil wreak havoc on the church and believers. Where is God in all of this? Examples like these remind us that we must believe God’s promises and never doubt his words. Because God can’t lie, he won’t stop constantly watching over us, especially if we believe his promise. Because he is faithful, God can’t abandon us when we hang on to what he has promised. God may allow us to be attacked, led to the edge of hell, or even killed. It’s during those times that we need to remember God has promised to be our guardian—one who never slumbers or sleeps Joshua 23:14-16 Theodore Epp Not One Thing Has Failed Joshua 23:14-16; Hebrews 6:16-20 (see notes Hebrews 6:16; 17; 18; 19; 20) Recognizing that his death was imminent, Joshua told the Israelites that he was going the way of all the earth and then reminded them, "Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof" (Josh. 23:14). What a faithful God! What He promised He fulfilled. As I think back over my own life and God's dealing with us at Back to the Bible Broadcast, I too have to say that not one thing God has promised has failed. I have failed at times to appropriate what God has for me, but He has never failed. It is this very fact that should cause us to press on with Him. He is faithful and willing, in fact eagerly desirous, to see us go on to the end in victory. So why not appropriate all things that God has provided for us? A serious warning is also given. God was faithful in keeping His promises to the Israelites. He was faithful in blessing. He was equally faithful in judgment when that was necessary. The same warning is needed by us. God has offered us everything in Christ. He will not fail, but if we go back in our Christian experience, we will be the losers. To know truth and not obey it is to retrogress. God wants us to grow in the knowledge of Christ and appropriate by faith all that has been provided for us. "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself" (see note 2 Timothy 2:13). Henry Blackaby - Not One Word Has Failed “and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.”—Joshua 23:14 Near the end of his life, Joshua took time with the Israelites to review all that God had done for them since they first began following Him. God had given them an impossible assignment: to conquer a foreign and hostile land with fortified cities and armies more powerful than their own. The Israelites were to go forward with nothing more than God's promise that He would go with them and take care of them. Now Joshua looked back over their experience and reminded the Israelites that God had kept every promise. They had experienced numerous victories and had enjoyed God's provision for every need. Sometimes hindsight gives us a clear picture of how faithful God has been. We are tempted during a crisis to wonder if God will be faithful to His promises. We focus on our problems, and our trust in God begins to waver. Twenty-four years after God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, they were still waiting on God to fulfill His promise. But in the twenty-fifth year, Abraham and Sarah could look back and see that God had been faithful. As David was fleeing for his life, he may have been uncertain how God would keep His promise to make him a king. But at the end of his long and prosperous reign, David could review how God had kept every promise. You, too, can rely on God's faithfulness. Are you in a crisis? Hold to the promises of your Lord! He will not forget His promises to you. Look back over your Christian life and recount the many ways in which God has been faithful to His word. Robert