16-Endings, Beginnings and Choices To Make

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16 – Endings, Beginnings and Choices To Make

In the last 2 chapters of the Book of Joshua, Joshua is old and near death. Before he goes, he has some words of advice for the leaders of Israel.

Joshua’s Charge to Israel’s Leaders

Joshua’s first entreaty to Israel’s leaders is that they will always be held responsible for Israel going astray. Before we got to Joshua’s speech to them, let me begin with this.

James 3:1 warns us:

James 3:1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.

Israel’s leaders bear the responsibility for Israel’s sins because the leaders are there to stop the sins. If the leaders don’t stop the sinning, then they become the leaders of sin by default and YHVH holds them responsible. The example of this is the golden calf incident. Three thousand leaders were executed for that and all the firstborns of Israel lost forever the right to serve in the Tabernacle/Temple of YHVH. Forever is a long time to live with the loss of a special place that YHVH had for you because you committed a crime, a sin, against Him.

It was the leaders of Israel who allowed the people to test YHVH 10 times. It was the leaders of Israel who not only allowed Israel’s involvement with Baal Peor, but they also, themselves, went after the worship of Baal Peor. Israel’s leaders were responsible and were held responsible for it.

Leviticus 5:1 “‘If anyone sins, in that he hears the voice of adjuration, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

The common interpretation of this verse has to do with being called to court to testify about a situation. I don’t believe it is limited to that. Here’s the scenario. A leader or anyone else hears that some of the people are committing sin, and he is asked by someone, anyone, he is hearing the voice of adjuration. Why? It is because all of us are called to be judges. I know this goes against the grain of religion but in the Kingdom, YHVH’s people are to watch what people do and try to stop sinners from going further in their sin because all sin damages Israel. If a person knows sin is happening and does nothing, or if he does know and has not done something about it, he is guilty.

Paul had the same interpretation.

Romans 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 
Romans 1:19  because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 

Verses 23 to 31:Trading the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things,  exchanging the truth of God for a lie, worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator, God giving them up to vile passions, women changing the natural function into that which is against nature, the men leaving the natural function of the woman, burning in their lust toward one another, being filled with all unrighteousness, pornia in all its forms (harlotry, fornication, Idolatry with the images of the nations’ gods), wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 

Romans 1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.

It was the people who approved of these practices without being called into any court. We are to do something when we see it happening. We are not to allow these things among ourselves.

Paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 13:6, [Love] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth.

In this chapter about the behavior love produces, people forget that love of YHVH Elohim tops the list. We are to love what He loves – righteousness, which is defined in His Law, and hate what He hates – sin. When the Law is rejected, the door to all unrighteousness stands wide open! And when people refuse to approach sinners because they fear conflict or for any other reason, those people are just as guilty because they know about it and do nothing! Right now, Michael and I stand ostracized outside of our own community for putting away a diviner along with those who defend her.

Deuteronomy18:10  There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 
Deuteronomy18:11  or a charmer, or a consulter with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 
Deuteronomy18:12  For whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh. Because of these abominations, Yahweh your God drives them out from before you.

We stand at the gates not letting into the gates those who defend and help this woman. For that, we have been rejected. We would rather be alone than be found standing with sinners.

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 

Psalms 1:2 but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. 

Let’s hear Joshua’s instruction to the leaders of Israel. Leaders, listen up!

Joshua 23:1 After many days, when YHVH had given rest to Israel from their enemies all around, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, 

May it be known that it is YHVH who gives the rest; rest from our enemies, Shabbat rest, resting in the refuge we take in Him.

Joshua 23:2 Joshua called for all Israel, for their elders and for their heads, and for their judges and for their officers, and said to them, “I am old and well advanced in years. 
Joshua 23:3 You have seen all that YHVH your God has done to all these nations because of you; for it is YHVH your God who has fought for you. 
Joshua 23:4 Behold, I have allotted to you these nations that remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, from the Jordan, with all the nations that I have cut off, even to the great sea toward the going down of the sun. 

The larger inheritance of Israel is the nations over which they are supposed to rule. They did not understand this was YHVH’s plan for them. Who wouldn’t want to be at the top, elevated above all nations? Who? The requirement for this is a personal relationship with YHVH Yeshua, (yes, even before the cross), and to walk in His Law being obedient to be deemed righteous by Him.

Instead, the nations ruled over them because of their rebellion. What a great and awesome inheritance they simply discarded for having greater love of the gods of the lesser nations. They did not realize how high YHVH had elevated them above the nations nor how far they would fall in their destructions and exiles.

Joshua 23:5 YHVH your God will thrust them out from before you, and drive them from out of your sight. You shall possess their land, as YHVH your God spoke to you. 
Joshua 23:6 “Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you not turn away from it to the right hand or to the left; 

This is not a call only to the Book of the Law, Deuteronomy, but the whole Law of Moses. There is a difference between the Book of the Law and the Book of the Law of Moses. The reason I say this is because if Joshua was telling Israel to only obey what was the in the Book of Deuteronomy, then he would be effectively doing away with the covenant Law of Exodus and the sacrificial Laws of Leviticus.

Joshua is a type of Messiah, right? Did he do away with the any of the Law of Moses as people say Yeshua did whom Joshua was a foreshadow of? No! And neither did Yeshua do away with any of the Law of Moses.

The key to entering into our greater inheritance, the Kingdom, is right here, folks. The Law is our righteousness, according to Deuteronomy 6:25.

There is a very subtle false doctrine in Christianity that says Yeshua – Jesus – fulfilled the Law so now we don’t have to be worried about walking in the commandments of the old Law. We only need to do those things Yeshua mentioned in the New Testament, and the New Testament does not have all of the Law of Moses contained therein.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

The righteousness of God is embodied in the Torah. The Torah is designed to kill our fleshly appetites so that we become Yeshua’s righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) and His righteous image (Romans 8:29). We are not attributed His righteousness without having to live by the Torah, but rather as we walk in the righteousness of the Torah we are transformed to become like Him righteousness because He IS the Torah.

For those who do not understand this, keeping the Sabbath is the start of our walk in righteousness along with it being the sign that there is a connection between us and YHVH (Exodus 31:12-15). Since keeping the Sabbath is the sign of who belongs to YHVH, it also shows who does not belong to Him.

The Sabbath is not on Sunday, the 1^st day of the week. It is on the 7^th day of the week from the end of the 6^th day in the evening to the end of the 7^th day in the evening. Most Sunday keepers don’t know they are also sun worshipers in YHVH’s eyes. May He call them out of that and forgive them.

And instead of saying we don’t understand the Law or parts of it, and until we do, we won’t keep it and God won’t hold us responsible for it, let’s just say we’re going to do what He says until we understand it. The Law is not difficult. Read it at face value and do it. The understanding of what we are doing and why will come. But in the meantime, obedience which stamps us with righteousness will be credited to us from YHVH’s throne in Heaven.

Joshua 23:7 that you not come 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 down yourselves to them; 
Joshua 23:8 but hold fast to YHVH your God, as you have done to this day. 
Joshua 23:9 “For YHVH has driven great and strong nations out from before you. But as for you, no man has stood before you to this day. 

The lesson of Balaam is that no person in the world can stand before us when we obedient to His Law. It is only when we follow after the flesh and walk in the unrighteousness of Satan that we can be cursed.

Joshua 23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand; for it is YHVH your God who fights for you, as he spoke to you. 
Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore to yourselves, that you love YHVH your God. 

Oh! That’s Paul’s message! If we love YHVH first, we will always fulfill the loving of people. But Christianity conveniently leaves out the loving YHVH first part.

Joshua will now tell the people what will cause them to bring the curses on themselves.

Joshua 23:12 “But if you do at all go back, and hold fast to the remnant of these nations, even these who remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in to them, and they to you; 
Joshua 23:13 know for a certainty that YHVH your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which YHVH your God has given you. 

There were still pockets of weak goyim from the Canaanite nations among them, leftovers from the tribute cities, the cities of servants. These were not able to go to war against Israel while Joshua still lived, and these were expected to continue being destroyed after Joshua was gone. But if they become part of Israel through marriage, and not through repentance to YHVH, then Israel will become weak and easy to destroy. That destruction will come from within. No wars will be needed. The Israelites would do it to themselves.

Joshua 23:14 “Behold, today I am going the way of all the earth. You know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which YHVH your God spoke concerning you. All have happened to you. Not one thing has failed of it. 
Joshua 23:15 It shall happen that as all the good things have come on you of which YHVH your God spoke to you, so YHVH will bring on you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land which YHVH your God has given you, 
Joshua 23:16 when you disobey the covenant of YHVH your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them. Then YHVH’s anger will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.” 

The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

Joshua 24:1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, for their heads, for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God. 

This should have been done at Shiloh. It may that Joshua was not able to travel at this time because of his age, some temporary weakness or illness. We will see later on that he did go back to Shiloh before his death.  

I cannot explain why Joshua did not do as Moses had when Moses asked YHVH to appoint a man over the congregation, and one Joshua was appointed to take Moses’ place in Numbers 27:15-23.

Israel needed another singular leader to answer to after Joshua’s death. What they got were a succession of judges, “deliverers” which always drew them back from destruction. The first of these would be Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother. The passing of the leadership from Joshua, the Ephraimite, to Caleb, the Judahite, was prophetic because, eventually, the scepter did pass from Ephraim (Joshua) to Judah (Caleb).

Joshua 24:2 Joshua said to all the people, “YHVH, the God of Israel, says, ‘Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor. They served other gods. 
Joshua 24:3 I took your father Abraham from beyond the River, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his offspring, and gave him Isaac. 
Joshua 24:4 I gave to Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave to Esau Mount Seir, to possess it. Jacob and his children went down into Egypt. 
Joshua 24:5 “‘I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that which I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. 
Joshua 24:6 I brought your fathers out of Egypt: and you came to the sea. The Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and with horsemen to the Red Sea. 
Joshua 24:7 When they cried out to YHVH, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea on them, and covered them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. You lived in the wilderness many days. 
Joshua 24:8 “‘I brought you into the land of the Amorites, that lived beyond the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand. You possessed their land, and I destroyed them from before you. 
Joshua 24:9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. He sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, 
Joshua 24:10 but I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he blessed you still. So I delivered you out of his hand. 
Joshua 24:11 “‘You went over the Jordan, and came to Jericho. The men of Jericho fought against you, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; and I delivered them into your hand. 
Joshua 24:12 I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; not with your sword, nor with your bow. 
Joshua 24:13 I gave you a land whereon you had not labored, and cities which you didn’t build, and you live in them. You eat of vineyards and olive groves which you didn’t plant.’ 

This is again a reminder that none of YHVH’s promises ever fail.

Choose Whom You Will Serve

Joshua 24:14 “Now therefore fear YHVH, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve YHVH. 
Joshua 24:15 If it seems evil to you to serve YHVH, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve YHVH.” 

This is to be our testimony. We are to be willing to stand alone serving YHVH if needed. As the head of his house, Joshua could see to it that his household served only YHVH. Sometimes, a person is alone in serving YHVH even within his or her own household. But standing firm is what must happen. The testimony of serving YHVH then puts the onus on those who witness the obedience to make their own choice. This is a very difficult situation most of the time. Very few rebellious spouses can keep from persecuting the faithful one.

Joshua 24:16 The people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake YHVH, to serve other gods; 
Joshua 24:17 for it is YHVH our God who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way in which we went, and among all the peoples through the middle of whom we passed. 
Joshua 24:18 YHVH drove out from before us all the peoples, even the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve YHVH; for he is our God.” 

This is the same language spoken by the people at Mount Sinai before YHVH took them as His people. They said:

Exodus 19:8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that YHVH has spoken we will do.” Moses reported the words of the people to YHVH. 

Now Joshua will say something that has many commentators baffled. He said:

Joshua 24:19 Joshua said to the people, “You can’t serve YHVH, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins. 

“You CAN’T serve YHVH” and “He won’t forgive your sins”? The Brenton Septuagint makes more sense:

Joshua 24:19 And Joshua said to the people, Indeed you will not be able to serve the Lord, for God is holy; and he being jealous will not forgive your sins and your transgressions.

The context is the serving of other gods. You cannot serve other gods and YHVH at the same time.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Nonetheless, Joshua 24:19 seems to contradict YHVH’s forgiveness.

What happened in the wilderness each and every time the Israelites brought “other god” worship into the congregation? Those who brought that in and those who participated were killed immediately. These were the examples of there being no forgiveness for serving other gods.

Israel, the nation, would eventually be put to death by YHVH for serving other gods. The death of the nation of Israel happened at the cross when Yeshua took the remainder of Israel to the grave with Him after which He arose from the grave without them. Part of Israel was already divorced and exiled. The remainder of Israel in Judea went into the grave. However, in divorce, there is still life. Thus, those northern tribes also were released from their former husband at the cross. ALL Israel died on that day.

The renewed Israel, the one that resurrected with Yeshua, does not serve other gods. Those who do that are not part of Yeshua’s Israel.

One reason YHVH will not forgive sin is because the people will not repent. Through the entire Old Testament, YHVH constantly called Israel to repentance and to walk according to the Laws of His Kingdom. They would not. To this day, part of Israel that practices Judaism (not including Messianic Jews), teach they are righteous because of the Talmud and the Jews are the fulfillment of the prophesied Savior in Isaiah 53. The Talmud is a great big add-on to YHVH’s Law that no one can keep, according to James in Acts 15:10.

This is why Joshua said “You CAN’T serve YHVH” and “He won’t forgive your sins”. It was a prophecy!

Joshua 24:20 If you forsake YHVH, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good.” 

Joshua is talking to them as a nation. Once the Israelite population has abandoned YHVH completely as a nation (not including His always present remnant), He will abandon them in the form of His and their death!

Know this. The remnant was tiny and even that remnant was cut off for a time with all Israel while Yeshua lay in the grave. But there is always hope in YHVH! He keeps His promises to Israel because of His love for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because of them, He finds a way to save their people. After 3 days, the moment He resurrected, they were all grafted back in because of what they were doing that former Israel – the southern and northern Houses – would not! What were they doing? Mourning (Mark 16:10)!

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 

Comforted with what? The resurrection. And also with “Who” else? The Comforter! The Holy Spirit. YHVH will not leave His remnant without Him.

Isaiah 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you, says YHVH your Redeemer. 

Which chapter comes before Isaiah chapter 54? Isaiah 53. What is Isaiah 53? The chapter of the Redeemer and Savior coming to save His people. Who are His people? His sheep which hear His voice but sometimes are punished along with the wicked just like the churches of Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) in the coming Tribulation. But don’t weep for the martyrs. Bless them! They have died for His Kingdom just as their Savior and Messiah, Yeshua, did.

Some of YHVH’s people always suffer when YHVH punishes Israel. Righteous Daniel and his companions Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego went to Babylon in the first wave in 605 BC. Ezekiel, the one who will be our Levitical High Priest, was taken in the second wave. Jeremiah was killed for his faith because he stood up against the Jews who worshiped the queen of heaven. Those who suffer are like Yeshua. The old axiom that what happens to our Messiah will happen to us holds true, but not for all since He needs a remnant to save so He can show the world He is still sovereign.

Joshua 24:21 The people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve YHVH.” 
Joshua 24:22 Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen YHVH yourselves, to serve him.” They said, “We are witnesses.” 
Joshua 24:23 “Now therefore put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to YHVH, the God of Israel.” 

Joshua knew that some Israelites were already turning away from YHVH.

Joshua 24:24 The people said to Joshua, “We will serve YHVH our God, and we will listen to his voice.” 

These leaders have now committed themselves to be liable for the sins of the people in their present time and in the future just like that generation that stood at Mount Sinai binding all future generations of Israel to His Law. Whoa to them if they don’t take away the people’s idols and love for other gods. Whoa to them who did not teach their children to love YHVH above all else!

Joshua 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. 
Joshua 24:26 Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a great stone, and set it up there under the oak that was by the sanctuary of YHVH. 

Joshua took the renewal memorial stone to Shiloh.

Joshua 24:27 Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all YHVH’s words which he spoke to us. It shall be therefore a witness against you, lest you deny your God.” 

Do you know what else is a witness against us? Our tsitstiot and mezuzahs. These witness against us. Also, YHVH called heaven and earth to be witness against us so that no matter where we go there are two witnesses against.

Joshua 24:28 So Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance. 

Joshua’s Death and Burial

Joshua 24:29 After these things, Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of YHVH, died, being one hundred ten years old. 

Joshua lived for 30 years in the land. He entered when he was 80 years old.

Joshua 24:30 They buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathserah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, on the north of the mountain of Gaash. 
Joshua 24:31 Israel served YHVH all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, and had known all the work of YHVH, that he had worked for Israel. 
Joshua 24:32 They buried the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, in Shechem, in the parcel of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver. They became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. 
Joshua 24:33 Eleazar the son of Aaron died. They buried him in the hill of Phinehas his son, which was given him in the hill country of Ephraim. 

The close together deaths of YHVH’s righteous military and spiritual leaders, Joshua and Eleazar, was the end of an era and the start of a new one which, God willing, we will start studying next week.

Put and keep your faith in YHVH, folks! Hold fast to that which He as given you, His Law which contains Yeshua’s salvation in it (without the Law, we could not have His salvation (which is why if we say His Law was done away, how can we think we can have His salvation)) and pray that you may escape all the things that are now coming on the earth!

Amen.