Topical Bible: Israel: Piety of Those Who Entered Canaan

◄ Israel: Piety of Those Who Entered Canaan ►

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The piety of the Israelites who entered Canaan is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting their relationship with God and their commitment to His commandments. This period marks a transition from the wilderness wanderings to the establishment of a nation under divine guidance.

Faithfulness and Obedience

The generation that entered Canaan under Joshua's leadership demonstrated a renewed commitment to the covenant with God. Unlike their forebears, who perished in the wilderness due to disobedience and lack of faith, this generation was characterized by a willingness to follow God's commands. Joshua 1:7-8 emphasizes the importance of adherence to the Law: "Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do."

Covenant Renewal at Shechem

A pivotal moment of piety is seen in the covenant renewal at Shechem, where Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel. Joshua 24:14-15 records Joshua's exhortation: "Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth. Cast aside the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt. And serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." The people's response, affirming their commitment to serve the LORD, underscores their collective piety and dedication.

Observance of the Passover

Upon entering Canaan, the Israelites observed the Passover, a significant act of worship and remembrance of God's deliverance from Egypt. Joshua 5:10-12 describes this observance: "On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites kept the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. And the manna ceased the day after they ate from the produce of the land, and there was no more manna for the Israelites. That year they ate the produce of the land of Canaan." This act of worship not only fulfilled the commandment given in Exodus but also marked a new chapter in their reliance on God's provision.

Conquest and Dedication

The conquest of Canaan was marked by acts of faith and dedication to God. The fall of Jericho, as described in Joshua 6, is a testament to the Israelites' obedience to God's unconventional battle plan, which required faith and trust in His power. The subsequent victories and the allocation of the land were seen as fulfillment of God's promises, reinforcing the importance of piety and reliance on divine guidance.

Challenges to Piety

Despite their initial faithfulness, the Israelites faced challenges to their piety. The incident at Ai, where Achan's sin led to Israel's defeat (Joshua 7), serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for communal holiness. The narrative highlights the importance of individual and collective adherence to God's commands to maintain His favor and blessing.

Legacy of Piety

The generation that entered Canaan left a legacy of faithfulness that was acknowledged in later biblical texts. Judges 2:7 notes, "And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works the LORD had done for Israel." This period of piety set a standard for future generations, emphasizing the blessings of obedience and the centrality of worship in the life of the nation.

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Joshua 23:8
But hold to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.
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Judges 2:7-10
And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.
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Jeremiah 2:2,3
Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus said the LORD; I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your espousals, when you went after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
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Library

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... The piety of his childhood returned. ... Israel believed, and as God had said, so it
came to pass. ... of the Church, and such the power of faith, that those who could ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Israel's Hope Encouraged;
... things that 'eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor that have entered into the ... word
thus, and it also shows you how muddy, how dark those of Israel are, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/israels hope encouraged.htm

The Second Homily. On the Annunciation to the Holy virgin Mary.
... and immortality, sending forth the clear pure streams of piety. ... He hath holpen His
servant Israel in remembrance ... and the scribes in the law, and those who were ...
/.../the second homily on the.htm

The Spies
... The children of Israel must stand this morning as the ... not unto men to fast; take
those harps from ... infinite; and he makes very boastful pretensions to piety. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the spies.htm

Oration on the Palms.
... Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. ... Either then,"as is right,"claim
the piety of your ... to put away error; to give light to those who are in ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/oration on the palms.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... she knew she was dying; talking to those round about ... the Lord hath put a difference
between Israel and Egypt. ... a worldling, where were you to find piety at all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... the design of their enemies to enrich Israel: Pharaoh had ... Individual piety is also
deeper, stronger, nobler in persecuting ... I beg those of you who are sad and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... Divided Their Land By Lot To The Tribes Of Israel. ... dignity in the several cities,
with those in authority ... their friend by nothing else but their piety; and that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... King Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War ... Instead Of Ahaz; And What Actions
Of Piety And Justice ... Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those Cities Which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Lawgiver meant to furnish the people of Israel with a ... on his works, and be thereby
trained to piety. Thirdly, he meant that servants, and those who lived under ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm