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The book of Joshua, as part of the inspired Word of God, contains many powerful admonitions that resonate throughout time and are of critical benefit to believers today. One of the most important and overarching admonitions found in the book is the consistent call to remain loyal and obedient to Jehovah. This theme of obedience is particularly highlighted in Joshua’s farewell address in Joshua 23 and 24. The significance of this admonition goes far beyond its immediate historical context and continues to serve as a vital message for Christians.

In Joshua 23:6, Joshua calls on Israel’s leaders to “be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left.” This instruction emphasizes the importance of following Jehovah’s Word without deviation, reflecting the same principles found earlier in the Law, particularly in Deuteronomy. Obedience to God’s commands was not optional for Israel, and this same principle applies to Christians today.

This call to obedience highlights an essential principle for true worship—wholehearted devotion to God’s commands. In an age where moral relativism and human traditions often overshadow divine principles, the timeless admonition found in Joshua’s words stands out. Joshua warned Israel not to associate with the nations that still resided in the Promised Land or to adopt their idolatrous practices. In Joshua 23:7, he says, “Do not mix with these nations remaining among you, or make mention of the names of their gods, or swear by them, or serve them, or bow down to them.”

The wisdom of this admonition is clear, especially in light of the fact that the nations of Canaan would soon become a snare for Israel, leading them away from Jehovah. In a similar way, Christians today are called to be separate from the world and its influences (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). The world today, with its emphasis on self-reliance, human ideologies, and materialism, poses a constant temptation to abandon Jehovah’s ways. The clear admonition from Joshua remains: follow Jehovah exclusively and avoid spiritual compromise.

Another aspect of Joshua’s wise counsel that benefits believers today is his reminder of Jehovah’s faithfulness and power. In Joshua 23:10, Joshua reminds the people, “One of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is Jehovah your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.” This assurance of Jehovah’s involvement in the lives of His people is a comfort to Christians today who face spiritual battles and challenges. Just as Jehovah fought for Israel, He continues to support and fight for His people (2 Chronicles 20:15). Joshua’s admonition is both a reminder of Jehovah’s faithfulness and an encouragement to remain strong in faith.

Joshua’s words in Joshua 24:15 provide one of the most famous and enduring exhortations: “But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.” This declaration is a timeless call for believers to make an unequivocal commitment to worship and serve Jehovah exclusively. The wise admonition to “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15) continues to challenge Christians to maintain undivided loyalty to Jehovah, avoiding compromise with worldly influences.

What Essential Qualities of True Worship Are Highlighted?

The book of Joshua emphasizes several qualities essential for true worship, all of which revolve around the centrality of obedience, faithfulness, and exclusive devotion to Jehovah. These qualities were not just abstract ideals; they were practical and lived out by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.

One of the foremost qualities of true worship that the book of Joshua highlights is obedience. From the very beginning of Joshua’s leadership, Jehovah made it clear that success in entering and conquering the land was dependent on the people’s obedience to His commands. In Joshua 1:7-8, Jehovah instructed Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night.” This highlights the central role of God’s Word in true worship and the necessity of obedience to it.

For true worshipers, obedience to Jehovah’s instructions is not burdensome, but rather a natural response to His faithfulness and the blessings He bestows. When the Israelites obeyed Jehovah’s commands in the conquest of Jericho, they saw a miraculous victory as the walls of Jericho collapsed (Joshua 6:20). However, when Achan disobeyed Jehovah’s command regarding the devoted things, Israel suffered a devastating defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:4-5). This event underscored the principle that obedience to Jehovah is essential for His blessing, and disobedience brings dire consequences. The quality of obedience is an indispensable part of true worship, as obedience demonstrates a heart of submission and loyalty to Jehovah.

Another essential quality of true worship, as depicted in the book of Joshua, is faith. Joshua himself is an outstanding example of faith in Jehovah. When Joshua and Caleb spied out the land of Canaan, they brought back a report of faith, believing that Jehovah would deliver the land into their hands despite the formidable opposition (Numbers 14:6-9). That faith was vindicated when Joshua led Israel into Canaan, and the land was conquered, as Jehovah had promised.

The faith of Rahab also stands out as a shining example in the book of Joshua. Rahab, a resident of Jericho, demonstrated faith in Jehovah by protecting the Israelite spies and declaring her belief that Jehovah had given the land to Israel. She said, “I know that Jehovah has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us” (Joshua 2:9). Rahab’s faith not only saved her life and the lives of her family members, but she also became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her story demonstrates that faith in Jehovah is not limited by one’s background, and that those who place their trust in Jehovah will be rewarded.

The quality of exclusive devotion to Jehovah is also emphasized throughout Joshua’s leadership. Israel was repeatedly warned against turning to other gods or adopting the practices of the surrounding nations. Joshua’s farewell address in Joshua 24:14-15 calls the people to serve Jehovah “in sincerity and in faithfulness” and to put away the foreign gods that were still among them. Exclusive devotion to Jehovah is a defining mark of true worship, as seen in the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Joshua underscores the importance of this devotion by contrasting the gods of the surrounding nations with the one true God, Jehovah, who delivered Israel from Egypt and gave them the land of Canaan.

The book of Joshua also highlights the quality of courage in true worship. Joshua himself was repeatedly told to “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6-9), and this quality was necessary for the task before him. Courage is not merely a physical quality but a spiritual one, rooted in faith and trust in Jehovah. Joshua’s courage was demonstrated in leading Israel into battle, in his unwavering trust in Jehovah’s promises, and in his firm stand against idolatry and disobedience. True worshipers must have the courage to remain faithful to Jehovah, even when faced with opposition, temptation, or uncertainty.

What Powerful Reminders Are Contained in Joshua?

The book of Joshua serves as a powerful reminder of several key truths about Jehovah, His people, and His promises. First and foremost, it reminds us of Jehovah’s faithfulness. Throughout the narrative of Joshua, we see Jehovah fulfilling His promises to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—by giving their descendants the land of Canaan. Joshua 21:43-45 encapsulates this theme: “Thus Jehovah gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there. And Jehovah gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers… Not one word of all the good promises that Jehovah had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” This is a powerful reminder that Jehovah always fulfills His promises. His Word is reliable, and His covenant loyalty never falters.

Another powerful reminder in the book of Joshua is Jehovah’s sovereignty and His role as the Divine Warrior who fights for His people. Time and again, Israel’s victories in battle are attributed to Jehovah’s intervention, not to their own strength. At the battle of Jericho, it was Jehovah who caused the walls to fall (Joshua 6:20). At the battle of Gibeon, Jehovah fought for Israel by sending hailstones and causing the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:11-13). These events remind us that Jehovah is sovereign over all the earth and that He has the power to intervene in human history to accomplish His purposes. This truth is a source of comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that Jehovah is in control and that He fights for His people.

The book of Joshua also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. While the overall narrative of Joshua is one of victory and blessing, it also contains sobering warnings about the consequences of sin. The incident with Achan, where one man’s disobedience led to defeat for the entire nation at Ai, illustrates the seriousness of sin and its impact on the community (Joshua 7). This serves as a reminder that sin, if left unchecked, can bring about judgment and loss, even for those who are part of Jehovah’s covenant people. The book of Joshua emphasizes that Jehovah’s holiness demands obedience, and that sin must be dealt with through repentance and discipline.

Additionally, Joshua’s leadership and his farewell exhortations remind believers of the importance of making deliberate choices in serving Jehovah. Joshua challenged the people to “choose this day whom you will serve,” emphasizing that serving Jehovah requires a conscious and deliberate decision (Joshua 24:15). This serves as a reminder that true worship is not passive; it involves active commitment and daily choices to serve Jehovah.

How Does the Book of Joshua Tie in with the Kingdom Promises, and What Assurance Does It Give That These Will ‘All Come True’?

The book of Joshua is a critical link in the unfolding of Jehovah’s Kingdom purposes. As the first of the historical books in the Old Testament, Joshua records the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise to give Abraham’s descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21). This conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership serves as a foretaste of the ultimate realization of Jehovah’s Kingdom purposes.

Joshua’s leadership in the conquest of Canaan is a type of the greater fulfillment of Jehovah’s Kingdom promises through Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land, so Jesus, whose name in Greek is the equivalent of Joshua, leads God’s people into the ultimate promised inheritance—the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 4:8-10). The book of Joshua provides assurance that Jehovah’s promises are certain to be fulfilled, as demonstrated by His faithfulness in giving the land to Israel. This points forward to the even greater fulfillment of His promises regarding the future Kingdom, where believers will inherit the earth under the reign of Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:5; Revelation 21:1-4).

Moreover, the rest that Israel experienced in the land of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership (Joshua 21:44) serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate rest that will be realized in the Kingdom of God. The writer of Hebrews draws on this imagery, stating that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9). Just as Jehovah fulfilled His promise to give Israel rest in the land, He will likewise fulfill His promise to provide eternal rest for His people in His Kingdom.

The assurance that Jehovah’s Kingdom promises will “all come true” is firmly grounded in the historical reality of the conquest recorded in Joshua. Just as Jehovah brought Israel into the land and gave them victory over their enemies, so too will He bring about the complete fulfillment of His Kingdom purposes in the future. The book of Joshua serves as a testimony to Jehovah’s faithfulness, power, and sovereignty, and it provides believers with confidence that all of Jehovah’s promises—both past and future—will be fulfilled.

The narrative of Joshua, with its emphasis on the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises, the establishment of His people in the land, and the victories He grants, ties directly into the broader biblical theme of Jehovah’s Kingdom. It provides believers with a foretaste of the ultimate victory that will be realized when Jesus Christ returns to establish His Kingdom on earth. The book of Joshua, therefore, stands as a powerful witness to the certainty of Jehovah’s Kingdom promises and offers assurance that, just as every promise to Israel came to pass, so too will every promise regarding the Kingdom of God be fulfilled in due time.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).