Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Joshua 23
Overview
Joshua’s farewell address.
The last two chapters of Joshua record Joshua’s farewell address to the Israelites.
It has passed long time which Joshua and his people settled in the land. Joshua was well advanced in his age. The first part of his farewell address is composed of two: faith confession and advise.
He confessed that it was the Lord God who had done all these things. The Lord fought for you, drove out enemy, and gave you the land which He promised. Joshua attributed to God for the land and settlement.
He advised the Israelites to keep faithful to the Covenant of God, written in the law of Moses, and love God, “So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” (v.11). He advised them to live as people of God, setting themselves apart from other nations, and do not fall into idolatry, or they would become snares and traps to the Israelites, and eventually the Israelites would perish.
The way of blessing or the way of curses are two ways to which Joshua advised them to choose.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?