Joshua 23:14

Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

Study Bible

Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth
This phrase signifies Joshua's awareness of his impending death, a common expression in ancient Near Eastern cultures to denote mortality. It reflects the natural order of life and death, as seen in other biblical figures like David (1 Kings 2:2). Joshua's acknowledgment of his mortality underscores the transient nature of human leadership and the enduring faithfulness of God.

and you know with all your heart and soul
This emphasizes the deep, internal conviction and understanding of the Israelites. The heart and soul together represent the entirety of one's being in Hebrew thought, indicating a comprehensive and sincere acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. This phrase calls the Israelites to remember and internalize their experiences of God's promises being fulfilled.

that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed
This statement highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. The "good promises" refer to the blessings and victories promised to the Israelites, such as the conquest of Canaan (Deuteronomy 7:9). This assurance of God's reliability is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reinforcing the trustworthiness of His word.

Everything was fulfilled for you
This phrase confirms the complete realization of God's promises to Israel, particularly regarding the land and their victories over enemies. It serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness, encouraging the Israelites to continue trusting in Him. This fulfillment is a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who embodies the completion of God's redemptive plan.

not one promise has failed
Reiterating the previous assurance, this phrase underscores the perfection and reliability of God's word. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His plans. This assurance is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are reminded of the certainty of God's promises through Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). The unfailing nature of God's promises is a cornerstone of faith, providing hope and assurance to believers throughout history.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. In this chapter, he is giving his farewell address to the people of Israel.

2. Israel
The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are the recipients of God's promises and the audience of Joshua's address.

3. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham. Joshua led the Israelites in conquering this land.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who made promises to the patriarchs and fulfilled them through the leadership of Joshua.

5. The Covenant
The agreement between God and Israel, which included promises of land, blessing, and relationship, contingent upon Israel's obedience.

Teaching Points

God's Faithfulness
Reflect on the absolute reliability of God's promises. Just as He fulfilled His word to Israel, He will fulfill His promises to us today.

The Importance of Remembrance
Like Israel, we should remember and recount God's faithfulness in our lives, which strengthens our faith and trust in Him.

Living with Assurance
Knowing that God is faithful should give us confidence and peace in our daily lives, encouraging us to live boldly for Him.

The Call to Obedience
God's faithfulness to His promises calls us to respond with obedience and faithfulness in our relationship with Him.

The Reality of Mortality
Joshua's acknowledgment of his impending death reminds us of the brevity of life and the importance of living with purpose and dedication to God's will.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Joshua's testimony of God's faithfulness in Joshua 23:14 encourage you in your current circumstances?

2. In what ways can you actively remember and recount God's faithfulness in your life, similar to how Joshua reminded Israel?

3. How does the assurance of God's fulfilled promises in the past influence your trust in His promises for the future?

4. What steps can you take to ensure that your life reflects obedience and faithfulness to God, in response to His unwavering faithfulness?

5. How can the reality of life's brevity, as acknowledged by Joshua, motivate you to live with greater purpose and alignment with God's will?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:9
This verse emphasizes God's faithfulness to His covenant and lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments, reinforcing the theme of God's unfailing promises.

1 Kings 8:56
Solomon's prayer acknowledges that not one word of God's good promise has failed, echoing Joshua's declaration of God's faithfulness.

Hebrews 10:23
This New Testament verse encourages believers to hold fast to the hope they profess because God is faithful, connecting the faithfulness of God in Joshua's time to the faithfulness experienced by Christians.