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Joshua 23:1-5

Joshua Recalls the Lord's Battles and Remaining Land

The Lord's past victories and future help frame Joshua's farewell.

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Joshua 23:1-5 (BSB)

1A long time after the LORD had given Israel rest from all the enemies around them, when Joshua was old and well along in years,

2he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said,

3“and you have seen everything that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, because it was the LORD your God who fought for you.

4See, I have allotted as an inheritance to your tribes these remaining nations, including all the nations I have already cut off, from the Jordan westward to the Great Sea.

5The LORD your God will push them out of your way and drive them out before you, so that you can take possession of their land, as the LORD your God promised you.

What is the big idea of Joshua 23:1-5?

The Lord's past victories and future help frame Joshua's farewell.

Understanding the Big Idea

In old age Joshua recalls the Lord's battles, the land already allotted, and the peoples yet to be driven out. His speech joins remembered victory to unfinished responsibility.

How does Joshua 23:1-5 point to Christ?

Joshua's review concerns Israel's land and covenant future. Christian hope rests on Jesus Christ, who died for sins and was raised (1 Corinthians 15:3-4); the grace of salvation is received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). The Lord's faithfulness in Joshua may be honored without making the wars a direct gospel template.

Authorial Intent

Aged Joshua gathers Israel's leaders after a period of rest and recalls the Lord's action in battle and the allotment of nations still remaining.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Who is Joshua addressing?
  2. What does he say the leaders have seen?
  3. Which lands has he allotted?
  4. What does verse 5 still anticipate?
  5. How does this speech relate to 21:43-45?
  6. What changes from Rest and aged leader to Future dispossession promised?
  7. How does Joshua Recalls the Lord's Battles and Remaining Land relate to the preceding and following units?
  8. Why should do not make the earlier declaration of rest deny verse 5's future dispossession.

Literary Context

Joshua 22:30-34 precedes Joshua Recalls the Lord's Battles and Remaining Land; Joshua 23:6-11 follows it. Joshua Recalls the Lord's Battles and Remaining Land serves Joshua’s continuing narrative.

Historical Context

Joshua is old, Israel has rest from surrounding enemies, and representative leaders are assembled. The river and Great Sea mark the scope of the allotted regions, including territory still to be possessed.

Chapter: Joshua 23

Joshua’s Farewell Charge: Hold Fast to the LORD and Do Not Turn Back

Because the LORD has kept every good promise, Israel must hold fast to Him in obedient love, knowing that His warnings are as certain as His blessings.