(23:4-5) Israel Fails to Drive Out the Cannnaites - Some of the land that Joshua had assigned to the various tribes remained unconquered. Israel's gradual occupation of the land had an ecological reason (see Exodus 23:29-30), a military reason (see Judges 1:19), and a theological reason (see Judges 2:20-3:4). Israel's ensuing unfaithfulness delayed the settlement process by several centuries; instead of driving out the remaining Canaanites, Israel absorbed them, bringing God's people even greater temptations to unfaithfulness. Joshua knew this to be a real danger (Joshua 23:15-16). We need to root out sinful influences in our lives rather than allow them to lead us into sinful practices.

(23:6-13) Joshua Gives Instructions - Joshua knew the nation's weak spots. Before dying, he called the people together and gave commands to help them where they were most likely to slip: (1) Follow all that is written in the book of the law of Moses without turning aside; (2) don't associate with the people remaining in the land or worship their gods; and (3) don't intermarry with them. These temptations were right in their backyard. Our associations and relationships can be temptations to us as well. It's wise to identify our weak spots before we break down. Then we can develop strategies to overcome these temptations instead of being overcome by them.

(23:8) Joshua's Final Words of Encouragement - Joshua was dying, so he called all the leaders of the nation together to give them his final words of encouragement and instruction. His whole message can be summarized in this verse: *Cleave unto the Lord your God." Joshua had been a living example of those words, and he wanted that to be his legacy. For what do you want to be remembered, and what do you want to pass on to those you will leave behind? You can leave them nothing better than the encouragement to hold on to God and the example of a person who did.

(23:12-16) God's Paitence is Not His Acceptance - This chilling prediction about the consequences of intermarriage with the Canaanite nations eventually became a reality. Numerous stories in the book of Judges show what the Israelites had to suffer because of their failure to follow God wholeheartedly. God was supremely loving and patient with his people, just as he is with us today. But we must not confuse his patience with us as approval of or indifference to our sin. Be careful about demanding your own way, because it might have unintended, painful consequences.

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Joshua with Chapter 23 and we see Joshua nearing the end of his life as he addresses the Leaders of Israel. He gives them counsel to remember the Law of Moses and cling to the Lord's instructions. In making application we see our need to cling to the instructions of our Lord in the Bible. Just as Israel failed to follow the instructions we too stray form the instruction of the Bible. The consequences are failure in out lives. It reminds me of many a toy I have had to assemble at Christmas time. I resist the instructions to end up failing at assembling the toys correctly. In life we do the same. Much time and heartache would be eliminated by just simply following the instructions. How about you? Do you follow the Instructions of the Bible? Let us learn from the final words of Joshua and follow the Instructions of the Lord.