#DailyDevotion Don’t Go To The Left Or To The Right Of God’s Word
July 5th
Josh 23:1–16
Jos 23:6-8 Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, (7) that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, (8) but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day…11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the LORD your God.
Joshua’s life was at an end. Most the land that had been promised had been defeated and taken. The rest will finally be fully taken by the time of David and it would take so long because Israel would not be faithful to the Lord. That is what Joshua reminds Israel. He calls them to be strong and keep all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses. They were to stay straight on the path. They were to add nothing to it or subtract from it.
He also warned them against mixing with the nations they were overtaking. If they did they may take up the names of their gods and worship them. This would be unacceptable. They were to cling to the Lord their God and serve and love him alone. But they would not. Over the period of several hundred years, the Lord was patient the Israelites hoping they would repent of their wickedness, but they would not. Eventually, the Lord would disperse the northern tribes never to be seen or heard of again and the southern tribes of Judah would be sent into exile and eventually return home to rebuild, so the Messiah, the Savior and the Redeemer of the world would be born in Bethlehem, live and die for the Jews and the whole world.
Before Jesus’ ascension, the second Joshua, he told his disciples to Mat 28:20 “… to observe all that I have commanded you.” We are to cling to Jesus the Lord as well. He promises that if we confess him before man he will confess us before the Father, but if we deny him before men, he will deny us before the Father. And we should entangle ourselves with unbelievers (not that we have no dealings with them). But in marriage and other close contacts (perhaps partnerships) we should marry only Christians (if we’re single). Paul says, 2Co 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
Like the Law of Moses, we should not go to the left of Jesus’ word or to the right. He alone is the narrow way. He is the only gate into the true Promised Land through which we may enter. Our love for Jesus and for the Father is expressed by our love for our brothers and our love for our enemies. We do trusting in Jesus’ promises to us and because he has shown us the love, mercy and kindness of the Father towards us when we were opposed to him. But now that we know Him and are known by Him, we cling to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Help us Heavenly Father by your grace to always be faithful to you and your Son Jesus Christ with his teaching, that we may possess the eternal Promised Land. Amen.