The Power of a Dying Word

Synopsis     Joshua 23:1-12     5/26/2018

It’s several years since the end of the conquest. Joshua assembled the leaders of the tribes of Israel at Schechem. Joshua was old. He sensed he was dying. So he invited leaders to a final address.

As he spoke, he reminded the Israelites of how God had gone before them in battle and had fought on their behalf. He encouraged them to remember the great conquest over the land. He wanted them to remain faithful and strong in their determination to follow the Lord alone. And he forbid the Israelites from becoming involved in the lives of the Canaanites that remained in the land, through either intermarriage or intermingling.

The Power of a Dying Word

Joshua knew that he was dying. He knew that the line of continuity would be broken.  There was basically no one left who had experienced the entirety of the exodus from Egypt clear through the conquest of Canaan.

What’s more, there was no singularly designated leader over Israel. The Israelites were acting more like a confederation of tribes than a nation. The high priest was the only authority that all Israel recognized – but the high priest was never intended to lead the tribes.

Joshua felt the need to address the leaders of the tribes one last time before he died. They came to him at his request. He reminded them to keep covenant with God.

A Legacy of Wisdom

If you knew that today was your last day on earth, what would you say and to whom would you say it?

For some people, it might be a funny quip. For others, it might be an expression of affection for someone they care about. But for a leader, the relationship is often different. The true leader is deeply invested in whatever effort they gave during his or her life.  So, when leaders come to realize they are dying, they give advice – they impart wisdom.

It’s sometimes said that we should live each day of our lives as though it was the last day of our life.

Let it be.

“Here is what I see as good: It is appropriate to eat and drink and prosper from all the toil one toils at under the sun during the limited days of life God gives us; for this is our lot.” Eccl 5:18