In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, Joshua shared what will happen, “When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God”, where we read,
When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given unto you.
The verse reads, “When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “when you have transgressed” which means “at the time and moment you, the people of Israel, have alienated, done away with and traversed”, “the covenant of the LORD your God” or “the alliance, pledge, treaty and league belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “which he commanded you” which means “that he, Jehovah God, ordered and charged you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer “Joshua” presented the possibility that the people of Israel would do away with and alienate the alliance and pledge that Jehovah God ordered.
The verse goes on to say, “… and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them;” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and have gone” or “and have departed, proceeded and walked away” “and served other gods” or “and labored or worked for additional or different deities”, “and bowed yourselves to them” which means “and prostrated and given homage of your, the people of Israel’s, own selves to them, the other gods”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua referred to the idea of the people of Israel walking away from Jehovah God to make obeisance and humble themselves before “other” deities in homage.
Finally the verse says, “then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given unto you.” Joshua or the writer ended this verse with the words, “then shall the anger” or “at that time will the wrath that wrinkles the nostrils and nose or face” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “be kindled against you” or “exist as hot, furious and incensed in opposition to you, the children of Israel”, “and you shall perish quickly” which means “and you, the people of Israel, will vanish, go astray, be destroyed and exterminated in a hurried and hasty fashion” “from off the good land” or “separate and apart from the pleasant and agreeable territory, region and district” “which he has given unto you” which means “that he, Jehovah God, has granted, bestowed and assigned to you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer concluded this verse by sharing how “Joshua” said the consequence of the people of Israel turning away from Jehovah God would be that His fierce anger would rise in opposition to them and they would be hastily driven away from the territory God provided to them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” warned the people of Israel from departing from their relationship with Jehovah God and His directives. Forsaking God would come with repercussions upon them that would not only cause Him to be extremely “angry” with them, but would also cause them to “quickly” lose their inheritance. God wants us to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within to guide us into all truth and help us to keep from forsaking Him and His best for our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:12; Revelations 4:11)
Next time we begin a new chapter see how, “Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem”, 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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