In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old and told the people of Israel, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, Joshua told what will happen, “if you do in any wise go back”, where we read,
Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
The verse reads, “Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “else if you do in any wise go back” which means “because, since, whether and in case you, the people of Israel, turn back or return in any manner or way”, “and cleave” or “and stick, stay close to and follow closely” “unto the remnant of these nations” which means “to the remainder, excess, rest and residue pertaining to the foreign and pagan Gentile people groups” in addition to the following. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” presented the idea of the people of Israel returning to the pagan Gentile nations in any manner.
The verse continues, “… even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “even these that remain among you” or “also and indeed the foreign pagan Gentile people groups who continued in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel”, “and shall make marriages with them” or “and will become son-in-laws, daughters-in-law, mother and father in laws alongside and accompanying them, the pagan foreign people groups”, “and go into them” which means “and enter, be lead in to and enumerated with them, the pagan foreign people groups”, “and they to you” or “and they, the pagan foreign people groups, alongside and accompanying you, the people of Israel” the result in our next verse will occur. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” presented the idea that the pagan foreign people groups who continue to live in the midst of them would enjoin themselves in matrimony and in-law relationships that accompany them whether the people of Israel marry them or the pagan foreign people groups marry the people of Israel.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” was concerned with the people of Israel having relationships with the pagan foreign people groups. This was not to be. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14) The idea is that these pagan people would influence the people of Israel to forsake Jehovah God, and the same is possible for us. God loves us, and having a personal relationship with Him is not to be interrupted or influenced by any outside unbeliever. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to pay the price on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to continue with Him without any external distractions. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time Joshua says, “Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you”, 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".
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