In Joshua 22-24, we are given a glimpse of Joshua’s farewell speech to the tribes of Israel who only recently began to occupy the Promised Land. There, Joshua’s speech was reminiscent of the one given by Moses (Deuteronomy 4-5) to the 2nd generation of Israelites who were then about to enter the Promised Land. God ordained the 1st generation to die in the wilderness because they feared defeat at the hands of the Canaanites, while their children – whom the 1st generation said would be victims if they were to invade the Promised Land – would go on to conquer the Land.
Joshua and Moses reveal their pastoral hearts as they urge the Israelites to “take heed” to themselves. But why? Why remember the commands of God? Because the lure of sin, false teachers, and pagan gods await the Israelites in their new surroundings. Because life, wisdom, and understanding depend upon guardianship. Because a failure to do so will result in corruption (see Deut 4:1, 6, 16).
But the command to “take heed” was not simply given like telling our children to look both ways before crossing the street. “Take heed” means, “watch”, “be on guard”, “be alert”. In fact, the urgency is found in the commands to be on guard diligently and courageously. The implication is that this guardianship of their lives would not be easy, and that it would be a constant struggle. When a couple marries, the commitment to the “I do” lasts longer than when they stand at the altar. The commitment is a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly – ongoing – commitment to each other. It should be seen as an on-going resolve to do so. “I resolve to love my spouse, for better or for worse…”
Why be so resolved to be on guard? Because, as Cain was told way back in Genesis 4, sin desires to have you. Sin is personified as a stealthy, strong adversary lurking behind a darkened door, waiting to pounce at the opportune time. And this sin has a deep desire to not simply “have” you like you “have” a car, but to dominate you, to rule over you, to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10). But to be on guard means one must diligently and courageously watch for the lurking enemy, like a soldier in war watches for an imminent ambush from the enemy.
Notice the timing of the speeches given by Moses and Joshua. Moses gave his speech to the 2nd generation prior to their entry into the Promised Land, while Joshua gave his after they were already inside! So, we can rightly conclude that Joshua’s exhortations did not imply that the Israelites could now just sit back, relax, and enjoy the Land without any fear of lurking danger. Instead, he encourages them to enjoy the Land, but also urges them to be on high alert for lurking destruction at all times while at the same time enjoying that Land.
Now let’s turn toward Calvary. When we consider Jesus’ teachings, we can see that his admonitions are equally urgent as Moses’ and Joshua’s. Check out his sermon on the mountainside (Matthew 5-7) where he addressed issues like murder, adultery, and wealth. He urged his listeners to take careful heed to the more sinister issues that lie beneath the surface – those subtle, socially “acceptable” sins like anger and lust. For instance, before your anger leads you to murder, diligently guard your emotions! Before your lust leads you to adultery, carefully guard your eyes and your heart! Before your desire for wealth leads you to stealing, courageously protect your mind! He didn’t order people to literally start severing off their own limbs for the sake of appearing religious via self mutilation. He is simply making the point that sin is a serious issue – deadly serious – and those who are sincere must take serious measures to eradicate it from our lives!
Paul, the great Apostle, urged the believers in Corinth (see 1 Cor 10:1-13) to remember the Israelites idolatry, sexual immorality, complaining, and tempting God as examples for their own guardianship of their souls. He used similar words to Moses and Joshua – be on guard, take heed, lest you fall. In other words, if you think you’ve got a hold on sin – on that sin that so frequently, so easily besets you like an Achilles heal – be on extra-high alert or you will undoubtedly fall to it! He’s not referring to loss of salvation there, but to a figurative “crashing and burning”, to failing to live up to God’s righteous standard, to failure in life, to shame and disgust. No sin is beyond your realm of capability; you are never too good to commit any “heinous” sins against God. So guard yourself!
Our attitudes toward sin ought to be like our attitude toward a high-voltage electrical circuit. We must have a healthy fear and respect for it, guard ourselves when we come anywhere near it. Don’t touch it! Humbly recognize that sin will kill you. Just when you think you’ve got it licked, your proud heart will precede your downfall and destruction if you are not diligently on guard.
Therefore, Joshua can issue the challenge to choose today whom to serve! Will it be God, or Satan; righteousness, or selfishness; godliness, or worldliness? Sin desires to kill you, to destroy your family, your home, your career, your sould; but the gift of God in Jesus Christ is eternal life, and salvation is found in no other!
Bible citations:
Genesis 4:7
Deuteronomy 4-5
Joshua 22-24
Proverbs 16:18
Matthew 5:27-30
John 10:10
1Corinthians 10:1-13
