Sunday Morning Bible Study 06/20/2010

Joshua’s Final Words (Part 1)

Joshua Ch. 23
I. Observation
A. Context
1. Who are the people in this passage? What do we know about them?
a. Joshua
i. “old and well-advanced in years” (v. 1)
ii. Near his death: “Now I am about to go the way of the earth.” (v. 14)
iii. _________________________________________________________________
b. Israel’s elders, leaders, judges, and officials (v. 2)
i. They had personally witnessed what the Lord had done for the nation (v. 3)
ii. Still had work to do: take possession of the remaining land (v. 5)
iii. Called upon as witnesses that God had kept every promise He made (v. 14)
iv. _________________________________________________________________
2. When does this passage take place? Is there anything significant about when this passage occurs?
a. “After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest…” (v. 1)
3. Where do the events of this passage take place? What do we know about these places?
a. We’re not told here where Joshua gathered the leadership of Israel for this message;
however, since Ch. 24 is a continuation of the passage, they may be in Shechem. (24:1)
B. Summary of Events
1. Joshua summoned Israel’s elders, leaders, judges, and officials to share a final message (v. 1-2)
2. Joshua reminds them of the Lord’s having gone before them to defeat their enemies and assures
them of God’s intention for continued success over their enemies. (v. 3-5)
3. Joshua instructs them stay true to the Lord God and to obey the Law, avoiding contact with the
remaining nations and their gods (v. 6-8)
4. If Israel chose to turn from God and to become intermingled with the remaining nations, then
they would lose God’s favor in driving them out ahead of them and they would become a snare
and a curse on Israel. (v. 9-13)
5. Joshua reminds Israel’s leadership that God had been faithful to do everything he promised up to
that point and just as he was faithful in promises of blessing, he would be faithful in punishment
upon them as well. (v. 14-16)

II. Discussion Questions

1. What were some of the commands that Joshua gave the leaders of Israel?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What was the deciding factor that would determine whether Israel would enjoy God’s blessing or
endure His punishment? __________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think Joshua is delivering this message to Israel’s leadership at this point in time?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Based on this passage, in what ways might Israel be enticed away from the Lord?
______________________________________________________________________________

III. Application
1. In what ways are Christians enticed toward worldliness and away from holiness?
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the spiritual effect of sin in the life of a believer?
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What is a “Worldly Christian”? Can a “Worldly Christian” expect God’s blessings in this life?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. How can a Worldly Christian’s fellowship with God be restored? What is necessary for this?
______________________________________________________________________________

Teacher: Johnny Hughes (living2serve@gmail.com) MYA 2.0 is a ministry of Metropolitan Baptist Church, OKC, OK (http://www.mbcokc.org)
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