1 - 16 Joshua's Farewell Address
A long time later, "when the Lord had given rest to Israel from their enemies all around," Joshua summons all Israel for a farewell address. He reminds them that the Lord gave them the land and that they must "be very steadfast to observe and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses." They must love the Lord and not intermarry into the survivors of the nations they overran, or the Lord will not continue to drive these nations away, "but they shall be a scourge on your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land that the Lord you God has given you." He tells them he is about to die, and reminds them again what will happen if they bow down to other gods: "then the anger of the Lord will be kindled quickly from the good land that he has given to you."
Question: Why does Joshua give a similar warning two times in his speech? What's the difference in the two?
1 comment:
Joshua reminds the nation of Israel that their victories and blessings have been of supernatural origin and they must honor and obey God to keep and enjoy what He has given them.
10-11 "One of you routs a thousand because the Lord your God fights for you, as He promised. So be very carful to love the Lord your God."
ANSWER:
Warning 1 - vs 12&13: If they intermarry with their defeated enemies, ally with them, or even associate with them God will take the land away from them and not support them any more.
Warning 2 - vs 16: if they violate the covenant of God and bow to other gods God will punish them and drive them from the new land.
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