Joshua 23:15
But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass, likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened, until He has destroyed you from this good land He has given you.
But just as every good thing the LORD your God promised you has come to pass
This phrase highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, God made numerous covenants with His people, such as the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) and the Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19-24). The fulfillment of these promises is evident in Israel's conquest of Canaan, as detailed in the earlier chapters of Joshua. This serves as a reminder of God's reliability and the importance of trusting in His word.

likewise the LORD will bring upon you the calamity He has threatened
Here, the text underscores the conditional nature of God's promises, which often include blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as outlined in Deuteronomy 28. The "calamity" refers to the consequences of turning away from God, which historically manifested in events like the Babylonian exile. This serves as a warning to remain faithful to God's commandments.

until He has destroyed you from this good land
The "good land" refers to the Promised Land, a central theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God's provision and blessing. The potential destruction from the land is a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience, as seen in later historical events when the Israelites were exiled. This reflects the seriousness of covenantal faithfulness and the repercussions of failing to uphold it.

He has given you
This phrase emphasizes the gift of the land as an act of divine grace. The land was not earned by Israel's merit but was a fulfillment of God's promise to their ancestors. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and generosity, and the responsibility of the Israelites to honor God through their stewardship of the land.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, delivering his farewell address to the Israelites, reminding them of God's faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who has fulfilled His promises and warns of the consequences of breaking the covenant.

3. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, recipients of the Promised Land, and the audience of Joshua's address.

4. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, given to the Israelites as an inheritance, contingent upon their obedience to God's commands.

5. Covenant
The agreement between God and Israel, involving blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness and Justice
God is faithful to His promises, both in blessings and in judgments. Believers should trust in His faithfulness and live in reverence of His justice.

The Seriousness of Covenant
The covenant relationship with God is serious and requires obedience. Christians are called to live in accordance with God's commands, understanding the gravity of their commitment.

Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to serious consequences. Believers should be vigilant in their walk with God, avoiding complacency and sin.

The Importance of Remembrance
Remembering God's past faithfulness encourages present obedience. Reflect on God's work in your life to strengthen your faith and commitment.

Living in the Promised Land
Just as Israel was called to live righteously in the Promised Land, Christians are called to live holy lives in the world, reflecting God's kingdom values.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Joshua 23:15 reflect the character of God in terms of His faithfulness and justice?

2. In what ways can we see the principles of blessings and curses from Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 at work in our lives today?

3. How can we apply the warning in Joshua 23:15 to our personal walk with God, especially in terms of obedience and faithfulness?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to remember and reflect on God's faithfulness in our lives?

5. How does the New Testament, particularly Hebrews 10:26-31, reinforce the message of Joshua 23:15 for believers today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, providing a backdrop for Joshua's warning.

Leviticus 26
Similar to Deuteronomy 28, it details the consequences of Israel's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God's covenant.

2 Kings 17
The eventual exile of Israel due to their disobedience, fulfilling the warnings given by Joshua.

Hebrews 10:26-31
A New Testament parallel warning about the consequences of willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth.
Threats as True as PromisesW.F. Adeney Joshua 23:15
Jehovah the Champion of IsraelW. G. Blaikie, D. D.Joshua 23:1-16
Old AgeJoshua 23:1-16
People
Joshua
Places
Canaan, Great Sea, Jordan River
Topics
TRUE, Complete, Cut, Destroyed, Destroying, Destruction, Evil, Fulfilled, Ground, Pass, Promised, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Threatened, Threats, Till, Undertook
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 23:15

     8331   reliability

Joshua 23:12-16

     5467   promises, divine

Joshua 23:14-15

     1050   God, goodness of

Joshua 23:14-16

     7258   promised land, early history

Joshua 23:15-16

     8833   threats

Library
But He, Knowing the Custom, and Fearing that his Body Would be Treated This...
91. But he, knowing the custom, and fearing that his body would be treated this way, hastened, and having bidden farewell to the monks in the outer mountain entered the inner mountain, where he was accustomed to abide. And after a few months he fell sick. Having summoned those who were there--they were two in number who had remained in the mountain fifteen years, practising the discipline and attending on Antony on account of his age--he said to them, I, as it is written [1143] , go the way of the
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
'And an angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3. Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Everybody's Need.
Some have the idea that this blessing of the Fullness is only for a favored few, for such as have some special work to do for God, but not for ordinary folk, "for auld wives and wabsters" in their homespun. Surely this is one of the devil's champion lies! Alas! alas! that it has found such credence! The Infilling is what makes this promise true, "He that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God" (Zech. xii. 8), so that "one man of you shall chase
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Joshua 23:15 NIV
Joshua 23:15 NLT
Joshua 23:15 ESV
Joshua 23:15 NASB
Joshua 23:15 KJV

Joshua 23:15 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Joshua 23:14
Top of Page
Top of Page