Joshua 23:14-16 – The Utter Certainty of the LORD’s Judgement

At v14 Joshua hits the climax of this chapter’s address. He reminds those who will survive him of the thorough faithfulness of the LORD. All His promises had been kept in detail (v14). Israel’s leaders – and readers today – would probably have loved the address to end on that high note! But Joshua goes on to say that, just as they had enjoyed the LORD’s promised benefits, He would also bring disaster on them if they were unfaithful in following Him (v15, 16).

What an impact these words would have had – especially as it seemed like Joshua’s address was reaching a happy ending! Joshua preached that God’s faithfulness is a two-edged sword. He is faithful in grace and He is also faithful in judgement. His dependability is not just seen in covenant blessing but in covenant cursing too, by which He shows that He never lets go of His people but will pursue them even in their sins. He is not a tame, safe God. He is faithful to heal and to destroy.

Probably we (and they) would have preferred Joshua to end this chapter on a more positive note. The account of this occasion began with the LORD’s rest but ends with the LORD’s wrath. We may prefer happy endings, but there’s nothing wrong with an unhappy ending if it leads us to faithfulness. Scripture always holds out to us both “the kindness and the severity of God” (Rom. 11:22). We forget either one at our own risk.

It would be easy for us to look on proudly at Israel at this point. We could say: ‘Well, that was Israel – rarely faithful, always needing judgement’. We need to remember who we are. Non-Israelites like us have been grafted into God’s Jewish olive tree (Rom. 11). Some of the natural Jewish branches were broken off because of their unbelief, but we stand firm only by faith (see Rom. 11:20). So there is no room for smugness. “If God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you” (Rom. 11:21). Joshua 23 is not just for Israel.