What is the meaning of Joshua 8:35? There was not a word The text opens with sweeping certainty: “There was not a word.” • God’s Word is complete and sufficient; nothing was skipped (Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 5:18). • Joshua treats every syllable as inspired fact, mirroring Numbers 23:19’s assertion that God does not lie. • This sets an example of rigorous faithfulness for leaders and families alike. of all that Moses had commanded • “All” refers to the entire Law delivered through Moses—Genesis through Deuteronomy (Exodus 24:3-4; Deuteronomy 31:9-13). • Joshua honors Moses’ writings just as Malachi 4:4 later urges Israel to “remember the Law of My servant Moses.” • The passage underscores continuity: what Moses penned, Joshua proclaims unchanged. that Joshua failed to read • Joshua personally reads the Law, fulfilling Deuteronomy 31:11’s directive that it be read aloud during covenant renewals. • He obeys the charge of Joshua 1:8 to keep the Book of the Law always on his lips. • His public reading anticipates later calls to “preach the word” faithfully (2 Timothy 4:2). before the whole assembly of Israel • The setting is communal—and outdoors on Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim—so every tribe can hear (Joshua 8:33; Deuteronomy 27:11-13). • Public proclamation cements unity and shared accountability (Deuteronomy 31:12). • Corporate worship around God’s Word guards against private distortion. including the women • Women are explicitly welcomed, echoing Exodus 10:9 where Moses insists that worship involves “our sons and daughters.” • Their inclusion anticipates New Testament patterns where women like Mary and Lydia eagerly receive the Word (Luke 10:39; Acts 16:14). • God’s covenant is never male-exclusive; all are called to hear and obey. the little ones • Even children listen, fulfilling Deuteronomy 6:7’s command to teach God’s words “diligently to your children.” • Early exposure shapes future faith (Psalm 78:4-7). • The scene reminds parents that spiritual instruction is a family priority, not an adult-only exercise. and the foreigners who lived among them • Resident aliens stand shoulder-to-shoulder with native Israelites, reflecting Numbers 15:15-16: “The assembly is to have the same statute for you and the foreigner.” • God’s heart for outsiders surfaces again in Leviticus 19:34 and later in Isaiah 56:3-7, showing that grace has always had a global reach. • By hearing the Law, foreigners learn both their responsibilities and the blessings of belonging to God’s people (Ephesians 2:19). summary Joshua 8:35 portrays a leader who holds nothing back, reading every word of God’s Law to every person in the camp—men, women, children, and foreigners alike. The verse highlights the completeness of Scripture, the necessity of public proclamation, and God’s inclusive covenant heart. It calls believers today to the same thorough, communal, and universal engagement with the Word, confident that every word still stands true. |
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