How does Joshua 23:6 connect with Jesus' teachings on obedience? Key Verse: Joshua 23:6 “Be very strong, then, so that you can obey and do everything written in the Book of the Law of Moses, so that you do not turn aside to the right or to the left.” Joshua’s Charge in Context • Joshua, near the end of his life, urges Israel to cling to God’s Word with unwavering commitment. • “Be very strong” highlights inner resolve empowered by the Lord, not mere human grit. • “Do everything written” calls for comprehensive obedience—no selective editing. • “Do not turn aside to the right or to the left” pictures steadfast alignment, resisting drift or compromise. Jesus Echoes the Same Call • John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • John 14:21: “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me.” • Matthew 7:24: The wise builder “hears these words of Mine and acts on them.” • Matthew 5:17-19: Jesus fulfills the Law and urges practicing and teaching even the “least of these commandments.” • Luke 6:46: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” Shared Themes Between Joshua and Jesus 1. Source of Strength – Joshua: “Be very strong” depends on the Lord’s enabling presence (Joshua 1:9). – Jesus: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Obedience flows from abiding in Him. 2. Whole-hearted Obedience – Joshua: “Do everything… do not turn aside.” – Jesus: Obedience is not partial but comprehensive—“teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). 3. Love Motivates Loyalty – Joshua assumes covenant love for Yahweh expressed in keeping the Law. – Jesus links love and obedience explicitly: love is proven in keeping His word (John 14:23). 4. Blessing and Stability – Joshua ties faithfulness to continued possession of the land (Joshua 23:11-13). – Jesus compares obedience to building on rock; storms come, but the house stands (Matthew 7:24-27). Tracing the Thread from Law to Gospel • Joshua points Israel back to “the Book of the Law of Moses.” • Jesus fulfills that Law (Matthew 5:17) and writes it on hearts through the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10). • The standard remains God’s revealed Word; the power to keep it is now supplied by the indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:4). Practical Takeaways • Resolve: Cultivate a determined heart that refuses to drift “to the right or to the left.” • Dependence: Obedience is Spirit-empowered; pray for strength to follow through. • Comprehensiveness: Embrace all of Jesus’ commands, not just the comfortable ones. • Love First: Let affection for Christ drive every act of obedience. • Stability: Build life decisions on His words; storms will expose the foundation. |
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