Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
Love Speaks Precisely
Joshua 23 and 24
Introduction
What factors make it difficult for us to speak precisely about the truth of God’s Word? Which do you
struggle with the most?
We may not know as much about God’s Word as we would like. We may have a lack of trust in God’s
Word. We may be talking with people who have no real knowledge of the Bible or who seem to know a
lot about God’s Word, but don’t understand basic law and gospel.
Today we will hear an aging believer speak God’s Word precisely. May God the Holy Spirit encourage us
with his Word to speak the same way!
Background
The children of Israel had been in the Promised Land for some time but were still in the process of
conquering it.
Joshua’s 60 plus years of service to the nation of Israel was coming to an end.
In these two chapters Joshua speaks to the leadership and then to all the people.
Chapter 23: Joshua speaks precisely to the leaders of God’s people
Verses 1-5
1. Joshua had been in a leadership position in Israel since leaving Egypt. Recount some of the
things he had witnessed over the years.
Joshua saw the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, Mt. Sinai, manna and quail, the water
from the rock. He saw Moses’ leadership and heard all that Moses said. He saw the people cross
1
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
the Jordan River on dry ground. He saw the walls of Jericho come down and the conquest of the
Promised Land.
2. Of what facts does Joshua remind the leaders?
God kept his promise and gave them the land. God drove out the enemies of his people.
3. What promises of God does Joshua repeat?
The Lord would continue to fight for his people as they lived in the Promised Land. They would
take possession of the land.
4. Why is it so important that our church leaders speak precisely about what God has done for us
and what he has promised to us?
We want spiritual leaders who will say what God’s Word says and who will remind us of God’s
promises in his Word. Leaders who say what people want to hear or who say things God has not
promised do spiritual harm to the people under their care.
Verses 6-13
1. Describe Joshua’s approach to God’s Word.
Be careful to obey all of God’s Word. Don’t turn away from it at all. Hold fast to the Word.
2. The Lord would continue to fight for his people as they held fast to his Word. “One of you routs
a thousand because the Lord your God fights for you” (Joshua 23:10).
3. Even though Israel had these promises of God, they also had a sad history of associating with
the nations and gods of Canaan.
Joshua was clear with God’s people and precise, but the next book of the Bible, Judges, tells the
sad history of God’s people turning away again and again. They did not listen.
4. What would happen if God’s people allowed these godless influences in their land and in their
life?
God would stop driving out these enemy nations and they would become snares, traps, whips on
their backs, and thorns in their eyes. These nations would keep tempting the people to sin and
leading Israel into rebellion against the Lord.
5. In many Christian churches there is a lack of precise speaking about God and his Word. What
leads people and pastors to remain silent in areas where God’s Word speaks clearly? What are
the sad results?
2
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
There is a desire to want earthly glory rather than heavenly glory. There is a desire to avoid
confrontation. There is a sinful refusal to believe the clear teaching of scripture that goes against
the beliefs of a sinful society. The sad result is that the church loses the treasure of the gospel.
Verses 14-16
1. Joshua was about to go the way of all people. He was about to die. What was the tone of his
message to the people?
Joshua wanted to make sure the people knew exactly what God had done for them and what
was expected of them. He was precise and spoke clearly. There was no hesitation at all to state
the promises and threats of the Lord.
2. Based on the last few verses of this chapter do you think Joshua is threatening the people? Are
we ever right to end a spiritual conversation with that message?
Part of speaking God’s Word precisely is to make sure people understand the consequences of
not listening to that Word. These were the leaders to whom Joshua was speaking. Those leaders
needed to be spiritually responsible for God’s people. This is not a threat; it is a statement of fact
about what happens when people turn away from the Lord.
3. Joshua is one leader speaking to a group of leaders. List some of the qualities of his speaking
that we want our leaders to imitate.
He makes sure they all hear. He starts with the leaders of the people. He reminds the people of
what God’s Word says and he makes the Word of God the final authority.
Chapter 24: Joshua addresses the nation of Israel
Verses 1-13
1. What is the theme of Joshua’s message?
He again starts with the history of God’s interaction with his people and the promises that were
made. These people had been on the journey to the Promised Land and had seen all these things.
It was a good reminder.
2. If Joshua were speaking to us, what would be some things he would include in his message?
The Lord created this world. He promised a Savior after the fall. He kept that promise and used
that promise to bring us to faith. He adopted us into his family in the waters of baptism. From
3
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
eternity he chose us to be saved. He nourishes our soul with Jesus’ body and blood. He watches
over us daily and works all things for our eternal good.
Verses 14-18
1. Joshua speaks precisely about what it means to fear and serve the Lord. What did it mean for
Israel? For us?
It meant that they would make a decision to be faithful to the Lord and throw away all false
gods. We make daily decisions as God’s people to resist temptation and serve the Lord. This
happens in our worship life, our relationships, our workplaces, and our entertainment choices.
2. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Here is good leadership. Joshua knew the mercy of the Lord, and it moved him to serve the Lord.
We know that mercy. May that mercy move us to serve the Lord.
3. What was the response of the people? What reasons did they give for their response?
The people promised to serve the Lord who had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They knew
the Lord protected them and gave them the land. They knew the Lord was their God.
Verses 19-27
1. Explain Joshua’s response to the people. Does he doubt their sincerity?
Remember the history of these people. Joshua wants them to know that this is serious and that
they could not do this alone. They would need the Lord’s help.
2. How can we help God’s people better understand the importance of precise speaking and acting
when it comes to our service to our God?
We remind God’s people that he requires perfection. We speak the law of God in all its harshness
and then comfort people with the gospel. The gospel is our motivation to act and speak
according to God’s Word.
3. How do you picture this back and forth between Joshua and the people? What were their
attitudes towards each other?
Maybe the people were a little startled by Joshua’s response. It gave them a chance to restate
their commitment to the Lord. But these people had a unique history and Joshua could talk this
way to the people.
4
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
4. Give some situations when we can speak more precisely and situations when we may have to be
a little less direct.
Joshua knew these people well and was familiar with their history. They could speak frankly. At
times we may have to be sensitive to the background of the people with whom we speak. If a
person is new to Christianity we will still speak precisely but may need a little more patience. We
still trust that the Word works in new and in “older” believers.
5. The people were witnesses against themselves. How do fellow believers hold each other
accountable?
We encourage each other to be in worship and Bible study. When we don’t see a fellow believer
we give them a call. We pray for each other and we work together to carry out the mission God
has given us to grow in and share the Word.
6. What is your opinion of the value in having visible reminders like that stone or like that copy of
God’s law with these things recorded in it? Do we do anything similar?
Around Israel there were plenty of stones and monuments that reminded the people of God’s
blessings. We know that eventually the copies of God’s Word got put aside in Israel. Visual aids
don’t guarantee that people remember, but they can be useful. Our worship space is filled with
reminders of God’s promises: crosses, the altar, font, pulpit, and stained glass windows filled
with scriptural truths. Our homes also include many reminders of our relationship with our
Savior.
Taking this truth home
1. Agree or disagree: We should speak to all of the members of our congregation in the same
precise way.
We do need to be sensitive to the members of our congregations, but sensitive does not mean
we don’t speak the truth.
2. Discuss special factors in the conversation that Joshua had with these people.
They had been together for decades. Joshua and the people had dealt with difficult situations
together. They could talk about anything with very precise language.
3. Talk about the benefits of a long-serving pastor speaking to the members of his congregation.
When will a new pastor be better?
Answers will vary.
5
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)
Christ’s Love, Our Calling Love Speaks
7 Week Emphasis Study 1 of 7
Summary
At the end of his life, Joshua gathers God’s people and speaks precisely. This is great leadership from the
Lord’s servant and a wonderful example for us who have been entrusted with the Word of Truth. Speak
precisely so many may hear the good news of God’s love for us in Christ.
6
It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith
we also believe and therefore speak. (2 Corinthians 4:13)