Verse:

Joshua 23:12-13    “For if you ever go back and cling to the rest of these nations, these which remain among you, and intermarry with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know with certainty that the LORD your God will not continue to drive these nations out from before you; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, and a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes.”

Principle:

Sanctification and Holy Living.

Commentary:

Joshua, Moses’ successor, was about to die.  Joshua chapters 23 & 24 contain his parting words to the people of God.

The Israelites had so far been very successful in the Promised Land.  Under Joshua’s leadership the Israelites had defeated 31 kings (Joshua 12:24) and had firmly established themselves.  They were successful because of their obedience to the LORD.

Joshua’s main concern was that the people stay faithful to the LORD.  With initial success often comes pride and complacency, and although the Israelites had a good start, they needed to finish conquering the land by staying faithful to God’s orders.

In the Christian life, indwelling sin is often like the Canaanites in the Promised Land.  If you do not continue to deal ruthlessly in exposing, confessing and ridding yourself of personal sin, sin will always be willing to associate with you, seduce you, entangle you, marry you and cut off the fellowship and joy that you have with God.