Cleave to the LORD - Joshua 23:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eight of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “cleave unto the LORD your God”, where we read, 

But cleave unto the LORD your God, as you have done unto this day.

The verse reads, “But cleave unto the LORD your God, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but cleave” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover stick and follow closely” “unto the LORD” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “your God” which means “your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel to closely follow Jehovah God. 

The verse continues, “… as you have done unto this day.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “as you have done” which means “in likeness to the way you, the people of Israel, have fashioned, accomplished, made and produced” “this day” or “this particular sunrise to sunset”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” referred to the way the people of Israel were following his instructions to that very sunrise to sunset.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” continued to direct the people of Israel in their relationships with the foreign nations that were among them. They were to follow Jehovah God closely and keep the foreign nations at a distance from them. They were not to intermingle with them at all. When we receive God’s Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and be given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live separated from the ways of the world while we bear witness of Him everywhere we go. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Joshua says, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".