Bible Chapter Summary
Joshua 23 Summary
Joshua's Farewell Charge to Israel
Near the end of his life, the aged Joshua assembles all Israel — its elders, heads, judges, and officers — to deliver a solemn farewell address. He rehearses the LORD's faithfulness in driving out the nations and allotting their lands to the tribes, affirming that not one promise of God has failed. Joshua charges the people to be courageous in obeying the law of Moses, to love the LORD their God, and to avoid intermingling with or worshipping the gods of the remaining nations. He closes with a stern warning that just as every good promise has been fulfilled, so too will the LORD bring calamity and destruction upon them if they transgress the covenant and turn to serve other gods.
Key themes
Key verses
Joshua 23:3
“And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you.”
Joshua 23:11
“Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.”
Joshua 23:14
“And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.”
Joshua 23:16
“When ye 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 ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.”
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