Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Joshua Ch.23 / 24 Ch.s
JOS:23
* Joshua's exhortation before his death. (1-10) Joshua warns the
people of idolatry. (11-16)
#1-10 Joshua was old and dying, let them observe what he said
now. He put them in mind of the great things God had done for
them in his days. He exhorted them to be very courageous. Keep
with care, do with diligence, and regard with sincerity what is
written. Also, very cautiously to endeavour that the heathen
idolatry may be forgotten, so that it may never be revived. It
is sad that among Christians the names of the heathen gods are
so commonly used, and made so familiar as they are. Joshua
exhorts them to be very constant. There might be many things
amiss among them, but they had not forsaken the Lord their God;
the way to make people better, is to make the best of them.
#11-16 Would we cleave to the Lord, we must always stand upon
our guard, for many a soul is lost through carelessness. Love
the Lord your God, and you will not leave him. Has God been thus
true to you? Be not you false to him. He is faithful that has
promised, #Heb 10:23|. The experience of every Christian
witnesses the same truth. Conflicts may have been severe and
long, trials great and many; but at the last he will acknowledge
that goodness and mercy followed him all the days of his life.
Joshua states the fatal consequences of going back; know for a
certainty it will be your ruin. The first step would be,
friendship with idolaters; the next would be, marrying with
them; the end of that would be, serving their gods. Thus the way
of sin is down-hill, and those who have fellowship with sinners,
cannot avoid having fellowship with sin. He describes the
destruction he warns them of. The goodness of the heavenly
Canaan, and the free and sure grant God has made of it, will add
to the misery of those who shall for ever be shut out from it.
Nothing will make them see how wretched they are, so much, as to
see how happy they might have been. Let us watch and pray
against temptation. Let us trust in God's faithfulness, love,
and power; let us plead his promises, and cleave to his
commandments, then we shall be happy in life, in death, and for
ever.