Even though he is about 110 years old by now, Joshua is not finished yet. To Joshua, nothing is more important than finishing well. To finish well includes carefully passing the baton to the next generation, in spoken word and written form.

In this chapter, Joshua begins the process of passing the baton by delivering a farewell address to the Israelite leaders (Joshua 23:2-16). He exhorts them to remain true to the Lord, just as the Lord has remained true to them (vv. 6-11). In essence, he is challenging them: Be strong. Obey God's Law. Remember that the Lord is with you to fight for you!

Don't miss the phrase, ″to this day″ (v. 9). This is the 12th time this particular phrase is being used in the book of Joshua–far more often than in any other book of the Bible. It confirms that this truth (that no-one can withstand Israel) is still the case for generations of Israelites who unlike soldiers and nomads, typically stayed close to home year in and year out. Even though they have never travelled to the river Jordan (4:9), city of Gilgal (5:9), Valley of Achor (7:26), Ai (8:28-29), cave at Makkedah (10:27), cities of Geshur and Maakah (13:13), or city of Gezer (16:10), and let alone travelled to meet Rahab (6:25) or the Gibeonites (9:27), they continue to experience the protection and presence of God, just as their forefathers did, in the accounts that they've heard in the book of Joshua.

Also, don't miss 23:14-15, which encapsulate two of Joshua's most important themes. Listen to what he says first: ″You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed″ (v. 14).

Then again: ″But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you″ (v. 15).

The choice to believe and claim God's promises is theirs, and now it is ours, too. May you and I seek the Lord God's very best!