Josh. 23 Joshua being old assembles the people; declares the wonders God had wrought for them, and would work, in expelling the Canaanites, Josh. 23:1–5. Exhorts them to be courageous, to observe the law, and beware of idolatry, Josh.

A long time; about fourteen years after it.

Joshua called; either to his own city, or rather to Shiloh, the usual place of such assemblies, where his words being uttered before the Lord, were likely to have the more effect upon them.

Because of you; for your sake and good, that you might gain by their losses.

These nations that remain, not yet conquered. to be an inheritance for your tribes; you shall certainly subdue them, and inherit their land, as you have done the rest, if you be not wanting to yourselves. With all the nations that I have cut off, i.e.

Be ye therefore very courageous; for it will require great courage and resolution to execute all the commands of Moses, and particularly that of expelling and destroying the residue of the Canaanites. To the right hand or to the left, i.e.

Come not among these nations, i.e. avoid all familiar converse and contracts, but especially marriages, with them, as it is explained, Josh. 23:12, and as the Hebrew word intimates, being oft used of coming or going in to a woman.

Cleave unto the Lord, by firm affiance, constant obedience, entire affection, faithful service and worship of him alone. As ye have done unto this day, to wit since you came into Canaan; since which time the body of the people for of them he speaks, not of every particular person) had behaved…

To wit, whom you have invaded; otherwise some of those people did yet remain unconquered.

He it is that fighteth for you; impute not this therefore to your own valour, as you will be apt to do, but to God’s gracious and powerful assistance.

Now it requires more watchfulness and diligence than it did in the wilderness, because your temptations are now more and stronger; partly from the examples and insinuations of your bad neighbours, the remainders of this wicked people; and partly from your own peace and prosperity, and the pride,…

If ye go back, from God, and from his worship and service. Go in unto them; the phrase notes the matrimonial act.

They shall be snares and traps unto you: by your indulgence to them, and converse with them, you will be enticed and drawn by degrees into their errors, and impieties, and brutish lusts.

Of all the earth, i.e. of all flesh, or of all men; the way which all men go; I am about to die, as all men must, Heb. 9:27. The same phrase is 1 Kings 2:2. Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, i.e. you know assuredly; your own experience puts it out of all question.

The accomplishment of God’s promises is a pledge or assurance that he will also fulfil his threatenings; both of them depending upon the same ground, the faithfulness of God.