Author: Charlie Garrett

Acts 19:26

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Rain forest. Washington State.

Thursday, 17 August 2023

“Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. Acts 19:26

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The verse more correctly reads: “And you see and hear, that not only in Ephesus, but almost all Asia, this Paul – having persuaded – seduced a sizable multitude, saying that they are not gods being made by hands” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius had called together the workers in the related silver trade and reminded them that they received a good income from their business. However, that was now threatened as Luke continues to relay his words, saying, “And you see and hear.”

The effects of Paul were readily apparent to Demetrius. And so, appealing to their own senses, he validates that what he is saying is obvious and true. Those in the silver trade had personally seen the scope of Paul’s ministry and they had obviously heard of it from those of other areas who had come to trade as well. That is seen in the next words, “that not only in Ephesus but almost all Asia.”

Paul was in Ephesus, but there were other churches in Asia as well. They may have been started by him or others, but if they were started by others (such as those who had been there at the first Pentecost after Jesus’ resurrection), they would have been more Jewish-centered. Paul was called as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Therefore, even if he did not start some of the other churches in Asia, he still would have had an effect on their expansion into the Gentiles of the community where they were.

Therefore, this verse provides confirmation of the scope and efficacy of the work conducted by him which is recorded in verse 19:10 –

“And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”

He had such a great harvest among the Gentiles that it caused these people to feel the effects of his ministry personally and monetarily. It isn’t certain, but if the areas around the seven churches in Revelation were evangelized by Paul, along with those areas that he is definitively noted as having been at in Asia (Ephesus, Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis), almost two-thirds of Asia’s coastline would have been affected by his efforts. That would certainly explain the great alarm of Demetrius. Therefore, his words continue with an emphatic note, “this Paul.”

The demonstrative pronoun calls attention to the source of their loss. One might say, “Paul is a real problem for us.” Or he might emphasize his words to get the point across, “That Paul, he is a real problem for us.” This is the sense of Demetrius’ words. He then continues to explain what the matter is saying, “having persuaded – seduced a sizeable multitude.”

The first verb means to persuade or convince. Paul was clear and precise in what he said, even to the point that people were convicted of their sins and certain that they needed what he offered in his words concerning the good news of Jesus Christ.

The second verb, methistémi, means to change, pervert, turn away, etc. In Colossians 1:13, it speaks of the change that takes place in us when we come to Christ. In the case of Demetrius’ thoughts about Paul, the word “seduced” probably carries the thought that was on his mind. Paul didn’t just persuade people with his rhetoric, but he seduced them away from what he believed was right, “saying that they are not gods being made by hands.”

Of these words, Bengel humorously asks, “Are they then, Demetrius?” Demetrius was so depraved in his thoughts that he believed the things he made with his own hands were actually gods. Just note the irony! If the idols he was making were really gods, then he – a man – was the creator of gods. This is the type of attitude that Paul addressed in Acts 17:29 –

“Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.”

Paul also addresses the issue of such idolatry in Romans 1. From that springboard, having traded the truth of God for a lie, other sins inevitably develop. In fact, Paul’s list, which is at first based on turning away from God to idolatry, is quite extensive –

“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32

But with Paul in the province of Asia, the unholy tide of idolatry was beginning to ebb. Surely at least in part because of his efforts, Ellicott notes these words –

“Pliny, in his Epistle to Trajan (Epp. x. 96), uses language, half a century later, which is hardly less strong, speaking of ‘deserted temples,’ ‘worship neglected,’ ‘hardly a single purchaser’ (rarissimus emptor) found for sacrificial victims.”

Life application: The stupidity of idolatry seems obvious to a person once he comes to know and understand the nature of the true God. And yet, idolatry is so infectious that it can continue in the lives of believers. We must always be on guard against it because anything can turn into an idol. And, depending on the church one is in, it can be reinstituted in the lives of adherents almost instantaneously.

An obvious example is the Roman Catholic Church which is so filled with idols that the true God has become an ethereal secondary thought to most Catholics. This is true with other orthodox religions. It can creep into any church that is not prepared to meet the temptation head-on.

Take the time to slowly read and think about the words of Isaiah 44:9-20. Consider what is being said about idolatry and then determine to weed all such ideas out of your life. Eyes on Jesus! Let your heart, mind, and soul be filled with the knowledge of Him at all times. This is the sweet spot for your life, doctrine, and practice of faith.

Glorious God, help us to constantly evaluate our lives, removing the idols from them as they creep up. May our hearts and affections be directed to You alone as we live our lives in Your presence. Thank You for the sure hope we possess because of Jesus. We need nothing else to connect with You. He is our All in all. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acts 19:25

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Puget Sound or something.

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Acts 19:25

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words of this verse continue what was said in the previous verse. They read, “whom, having assembled also the workmen of such things, said, “Men, you know that from this business is our wealth” (CG).

In the previous verse, Demetrius the silversmith was introduced. He made silver shrines of Artemis which brought the craftsmen no little profit. Luke continues this narrative while speaking of Demetrius and the craftsmen, saying, “whom, having assembled.”

Without going any further, one can deduce that the issue to be discussed is money. It was said that the craftsmen received no little profit from the making of these shrines. Now they are being assembled by Demetrius. Luke next records, “also the workmen of such things.”

These would be the unskilled laborers. The Greek word used to describe them is ergates. As can be seen, the root of the word is erg, such as in our modern word ergonomics. Being masculine, plural, it signifies workmen. After having gathered all these together, he said, “Men.”

Some translations here say “Sirs” instead of “Men.” However, this is simply an address to men regardless of class or position. For example, in Acts 16:30, where the jailor said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”, the word was one of respect for one with greater authority. Demetrius is addressing a crowd of men gathered together from various classes to discuss their livelihood.

He then continues, saying, “you know that from this business.” Now, using the word ergasia, he includes all of them in the thought. There is a large industry being considered. Demetrius is a silversmith, but the matter extends beyond him. It would affect miners, the smelters of metal, and many other steps in the process of making these shrines. It was a fully worked-out industry. And from it he next notes “is our wealth.”

The efforts of these workers were combined into one main business which is the Greek word euporia, a word found only here in the New Testament. It signifies what is derived from the business, meaning their monetary wealth. Thus, it is used in the sense of riches, wealth, etc.

Life application: When you think of something you pick up at the store, there is actually an entire business that is involved in making it, even something as simple as a pencil. In fact, if you considered everything involved in the making of a pencil, you would have a list many pages long. And yet, you would probably have forgotten something.

Think of what is involved in obtaining the wood, transporting it, etc. For example, a tree needs to have a saw to cut it down. But the saw is made of metal that had to be taken out of the ground and forged. The workmen need special clothes and personal protection for logging which must be obtained. There needs to be gas and oil for the chainsaw. Chains need to be replaced from time to time. The air filter might have been made in Wang Chung, China and the spark plug may have been made in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

These things had to be gathered, itemized, placed in plastic bags, boxed, labeled, etc. The system that is in place to make a single pencil is so vast that it is literally beyond our ability to fully appreciate it. Each of the people involved is a part of the process. If a pastor picks up a pencil to use, that pencil represents thousands or tens of thousands – even an innumerable number – of people directly or indirectly involved in getting it into his hands.

The same is true with the paper he writes on. Etc. He could not easily compose his sermon without such a system in place. Therefore, each of those people was a part of what it takes for a sermon to be written out. God is using the mass of humanity to continue His plan of redemption, and each person should be considered as a part of the process of getting to the end of that plan.

No person should be considered too far from God’s grace to be given the gospel, and there should be no Christian who feels his or her job is not worthy of the notice of the Lord’s attention in the greater scheme of things. What may seem unimportant or tedious as a profession may be an intricately needed part of getting the most important sermon ever written out to the public.

We just don’t know how the things we do are going to affect things elsewhere and at some point in time. So do what you do to the glory of God. He knows exactly how you fit in, and He knows your worth, even if it escapes you. Trust that He has you exactly where you should be to get us to the end of this part of the story and onto the next part of what He is doing.

Lord God, thank You that we are included in the goodness of what Jesus has done for the people of the world. He came to redeem fallen man, and we are all a part of that state. Therefore, we must have value in this ongoing story that even we do not yet realize. The seemingly lowliest job or task may be an indispensable part of what is going on. May we do our part to Your glory because of this. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Acts 19:24

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Washington State Capitol.

Tuesday, 15 August 2023

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. Acts 19:24

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The words are better rendered, “For someone named Demetrius, a silversmith making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing to the craftsmen no little business” (CG).

The previous verse noted that no small commotion about the Way arose. That now begins to be explained with the words, “For someone named Demetrius.” The name means Belonging to Demeter. But the name Démétér is the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest. She also presided over divine law as well as the cycle of life and death. Thus, the name can also signify Belonging to the Earth Mother.

This person is next noted as “a silversmith.” The Greek word is argurokopos. It literally means a silver-beater or a silver-cutter. Vincent’s Word Studies notes, “In the next verse he mentions the workmen the two words denoting, respectively, the artisans, who performed the more delicate work, and the laborers, who did the rougher work.”

He was involved in the shaping of silver for “making silver shrines of Artemis.” Many translations say Diana instead of Artemis. Diana is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Artemis, which is what the text reads. Abarim notes the obscurity of the name. It is rather uncertain what the root of it is. However, they tie it to artames, meaning safe and sound, as well as to artemia, meaning soundness or recovery. As such, they define the name as Healer or Security. Concerning this particular deity, Barnes notes –

“This was a celebrated goddess of the pagan, and one of the twelve superior deities. In the heavens she was Luna, or Meui (the moon); on earth, Diana; and in hell, Hecate. She was sometimes represented with a crescent on her head, a bow in her hand, and dressed in a hunting habit; at other times with a triple face, and with instruments of torture. She was commonly regarded as the goddess of hunting. She was also worshipped under the various names of Lucina, Proserpine, Trivia, etc. She was also represented with a great number of breasts, to denote her as being the fountain of blessings, or as distributing her benefits to each in their proper station. She was worshipped in Egypt, Athens, Cilicia, and among pagan nations generally; but the most celebrated place of her worship was Ephesus, a city especially dedicated to her.”

Concerning Demetrius’ silversmith efforts, Luke next notes that his work “was bringing to the craftsmen no little business.” Like any such thing, there was profit to be made from peddling this particular religious idol. Of them, the Pulpit Commentary, citing Meyer, says –

“They were silver models of the famous temple of Diana at Ephesus, and were carried as charms on journeys and placed in people’s houses to ensure to them the protection of the goddess.”

Life application: If you think about it, these goofy little idols are actually no different than buying rosaries and images of Mary along with the countless other idols sold to adherents of the Roman Catholic church. There are entire websites set up to sell innumerable idols to dupe adherents into believing they will somehow be closer to God.

But innumerable Christians from other denominations are caught up in various types of idolatry similar to this as well. Some have Feng Shui objects, some read the daily horoscopes, and others use the cross as a talisman rather than as an object of remembrance of what Christ did. Such idols get set up in our hearts and they only remove us from a close and personal walk with the Lord.

Let us be careful to hold to the word of God as our source of understanding the Lord, and then let us adhere to it by walking closely with the Lord, loving Him with our hearts and souls, and clinging to Him in good times and in bad. Faith in the Lord is what pleases the Lord. Anything else is just a distraction and a hindrance to a close and personal walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, help us to remove the idols in our hearts and in our homes from our lives. May we cling to You alone as our hope, our Source of protection, and our joy. Help us to be faithful to You, just as You are always faithful to us. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

 

 

Acts 19:23

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Beautiful tall trees at Washington State Capitol

Monday, 14 August 2023

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. Acts 19:23

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia while he stayed in Asia for a time. Now, it says, “And about that time there arose a great commotion.”

The NKJV makes the translation more of a paraphrase. Rather, it says, “And there came, at that time, no small disturbance.” This is referring to the time that Paul purposed to go through Macedonia and had sent the two missionaries ahead of him. At the time he was remaining in Ephesus, but certainly not long after the incident of the false exorcists being exposed, the events to be described came about.

When those exorcists were seen for what they truly were, the believers had a great turning in their hearts towards the Lord, burning their books that contained the magic, incantations, etc. That provides the backdrop for what lies ahead. As for the attitude of the believers that will bring this commotion about, Luke next says, “about the Way.”

In other words, it is their faith and what they have done to bolster it through their actions that were in accord with their lives in Christ that will bring about the commotion. Obviously, when such an event takes place, the people will be on fire for the Lord.

Not only will they remove the inappropriate things from their lives, but they will speak about what they have done to others, telling them that such things are futile and to trust in the Lord. As that word continues to spread, those who are opposed to such a change will not be pleased. Thus, the Way, meaning faith in Jesus Christ, is being set against what will next be described.

Life application: Personal experience in seeing others converted and the change in their lives will validate what is seen in the coming verses. For example, one ministry in Pakistan has frequent converts from Hinduism. Hinduism is a religion that is said to have over three hundred million gods. These are centered on a core set of gods, but Hinduism is an impossible quagmire of man seeking to please these innumerable supposed deities.

The priests at Hindu temples don’t help as they threaten the people through fear tactics, demanding money or the gods will be displeased with them. There is never a sense of security in salvation or a sense of intimacy with these gods.

However, that all changes when a person comes to Christ. This bondage is lifted, and truly unspeakable joy is realized when such a person finds out that God has reached down to them through the cross. He made the first move, and it was fully sufficient to bring about restoration and reconciliation.

Unfortunately, though, there is obvious blowback from this. The priests at the Hindu temples no longer have control over the people. They also can no longer shakedown those people for money. Because of this, there can be real trouble brought upon the new believers in Christ by the priests. They stir up the masses who are still living in bondage and fear, telling them to harm the Christian converts. As the Geneva Bible says, “Gain cloaked with a show of religion is the very cause why idolatry is strongly and stubbornly defended.”

Even the local Muslims will also come against the Christians because they too despise the freedom they see in them. Rather than attacking Hindus who are polytheists, they come against Christians who are monotheists. The thinking is completely convoluted, but it demonstrates the power of the gospel to both save and condemn, depending on whether it is accepted or rejected.

Think about this as the next verses are evaluated. But also think about those within Christianity who falsely proclaim that one can lose his salvation. To them, salvation is not by grace through faith because if a person can lose his salvation, then it is a salvation of works. Why would they hold to this? It is for the same reason as the Hindu priests – control.

God did not send Jesus to provide His people with eternal insecurity. Rather, He saves once and for all time. Hold fast to your freedom in Christ and know that God has adopted you as His Son. In this, you are forever reconciled to Him.

Heavenly Father, it is true that we can displease You through our actions after being saved, but we know that we shall never again be separated from You. You have saved us despite ourselves and for that we are forever grateful. Now, Lord, direct us in Your paths according to Your word so that we will be pleasing to You in all ways. Amen.

 

 

Joshua 24:6-15 (For He Is a Holy God, Part II)

Charlie Garrett Joshua (Written)

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson

Joshua 24:6-15
For He Is a Holy God, Part II

These first two sermons from Joshua 24 have been mostly recounting what has taken place. Joshua has done this to teach the people a particular truth: that the Lord has been faithful to the people, and He brought them into their promised homeland, Canaan.

The Lord, through Joshua, has selected details that are relevant to this coming about in his recounting. As noted last week, the giving of the law was notably missing from those details.

Israel’s inability to go into Canaan prior to the wilderness wanderings was not because of disobeying the law. It was because the people did not have faith in the Lord. In rejecting His word, He rejected them. This is not at all unlike the speech Stephen gave to the people in Acts 7.

Though the main subject of the speech in Acts 7 deals with the people’s rejection of the Lord rather than the Lord’s faithfulness, the final verses of the passage today are centered on the people remaining faithful to the Lord.

The people were unfaithful to the word of the Lord in Numbers, and the people were unfaithful to the Word, who is the Lord, in Acts. After both, a time of punishment came upon them…

Text Verse: “Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:
‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,
O house of Israel?
43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan,
Images which you made to worship;
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’” Acts 7:42, 43

In 1979, Bob Dylan released his album Slow Train Coming.  He had met the Lord Jesus and put his thoughts into music. One of the songs he wrote was “Gotta Serve Somebody.” He made a point that man is destined to serve somebody. One of the verses says –

“Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

In the passage today, Joshua will set a choice before the people. They can serve the Lord or return to the gods of their fathers. In Acts 7, Stephen made a direct connection between Israel’s time in the wilderness and what would come upon them again for rejecting Jesus.

With their rejection of Him, their temple was destroyed and they were removed to the furthest parts of the planet, serving every god imaginable except the Lord who had come to dwell among them. For most of Israel, that continues to this day. That will change, and someday they will be brought into the New Covenant.

Faithfulness to the Lord is what all people should be focused on. Our continued trip through Joshua is filled with wonderful details of this truth. It’s all to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Into the Land of the Amorite (verses 6-10)

6 ‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt,

Rather, it reads, “And I brought out your fathers from Egypt.” The words continue with the great acts of the Lord on behalf of Israel. Specifically, they detail the continued deliverance from Egypt that was noted in verse 24:5 with the general words, “Afterward I brought you out.”

The general statement was made, and now the process is being described. Although these elders were probably there at the time of being brought out, they had to be nineteen years old or younger; all others had died in the wilderness. That was seen in Numbers –

“‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you: 29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. 30 Except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun, you shall by no means enter the land which I swore I would make you dwell in. 31 But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.’” Numbers 14:28-31

By mentioning the fathers, the Lord is indirectly reminding the people of their faithlessness even in the midst of His faithfulness…

6 (con’t) and you came to the sea;

v’tavou ha’yamah – “and you came the seaward.” The word bo signifies to come or go or to come in or go in. In this case, it is not “in” the sea. They came seaward…

6 (con’t) and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea.

The words are abrupt, having no preposition before Red Sea: v’yirdphu mitsrayim akhare avotekhem b’rekhev u’v’pharashim yam suph – “and pursued Egypt after your fathers in chariot and in horsemen: Red Sea.” The account in Exodus says –

“And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. 9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.” Exodus 14:8, 9

7 So they cried out to the Lord;

va’yitsaqu el Yehovah – “And they cried unto Yehovah.” This is recorded in Exodus 14, leaving out much of the detail, but simply focusing on what is most pertinent to the current narrative –

“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.” Exodus 14:10

There was a need, the people cried out in their need…

7 (con’t) and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians,

More precisely, “and He put darkness between you and between the Egyptians.” Here is a word found nowhere else in Scripture, maaphel. It comes from the adjective aphel which is also only found once in Scripture –

“Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?
Is it not very dark [aphel], with no brightness in it?” Amos 5:20

Thus, it would be an opaque gloomy darkness. This event was recorded in Exodus 14 as well –

“And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.” Exodus 14:19, 20

With this opaque gloomy darkness, the Egyptians would be unable to see the disaster that lay ahead of them…

7 (con’t) brought the sea upon them, and covered them.

Not a single translation that I read correctly translates these words. The two that got it partially right are:

“and He sets thick darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brings the sea over him, and covers them” LSV

“and he will put darkness between you and between Egypt, and he will bring the sea upon him, and will cover him;” SLT

Rather, it is singular: va’yave alav eth ha’yam vay’kasehu – “And brought upon him the sea and covered him.” The word Egyptians is plural and the two pronouns are singular. As in verse 24:5, where the pronoun was also singular, it is referring to Pharaoh who represents the nation.

Ultimately, the battle was the Lord against Pharaoh and Pharoah didn’t measure up. This was recorded in Exodus 14 as well –

“And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained.” Exodus 14:27, 28

With the victory recorded, the Lord sums up the matter…

7 (con’t) And your eyes saw what I did in Egypt.

From the first three signs Moses presented to the elders of Israel, through the many plagues upon the land, even to the total destruction of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, the people were firsthand witnesses. They didn’t read about it in a scroll or hear about it from their fathers, but they were there and saw with their own eyes.

Of note is the changing from the third person to the first person in this verse –

“And they cried out to Yehovah. And He put darkness between you and between the Egyptians, and brought [3rd p.] upon him the sea, and He covered him. And saw your eyes what I did in Egypt.”

The words were in the first person from verse 3 through verse 6. They suddenly change to the third person and then return to the first person. The reason seems to be that both are speaking of God in Christ.

The darkness was attributed to the Angel of God, a type of Christ, going between the camps. The covering of the Egyptians was said to be done by Moses’ hand, but that is explained by Exodus 14:16, which says –

“But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

The rod, typical of the leveraged power of God in Christ as was seen in the Exodus sermons, was the action that destroyed the Egyptians. One can think of Jesus’ work on the cross and see the reason for the change from the first to the third person.

However, and despite the marvelous work of the Lord, and without stating the obvious reason for it, the Lord next says…

7 (con’t) Then you dwelt in the wilderness a long time.

va’teshvu va’midbar yamim rabim – “and dwelt in the wilderness days many.” This was inclusive of traveling to Sinai, being at the mountain during the time of receiving the law and constructing the sanctuary, departing for Egypt, spying out the land, rejecting the Lord by refusing to enter Canaan, and being sentenced to die in the wilderness until the adult generation had perished. The period of “many days” was forty years. That said, the Lord continues…

8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites,

Amorite is singular. The Lord brought Israel the people into the land of the nation of the Amorite, meaning Renown. This begins the third section of the discourse, which is The Move into the Land of the Amorites on the East of the Jordan, and their Defeat.

The Lord is preparing to bring Israel into Canaan, but there were foes to face prior to entry into the land. The specifics of this are recorded in Numbers 21:21-31, but are summed up in the words, “Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites” (Numbers 21:31). It is the nation of the Amorite…

8 (con’t) who dwelt on the other side of the Jordan,

ha’yoshev b’ever ha’yarden – “The dweller in side the Jordan.” This foe was east of the Jordan and had to be dealt with prior to Israel’s entry into the land…

8 (con’t) and they fought with you.

This was inclusive of several battles, but two of them are especially highlighted. The first was with Sihon king of the Amorites, the main verses of which say –

“Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22 ‘Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into fields or vineyards; we will not drink water from wells. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.’ 23 But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. 24 Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.” Numbers 21:21-24

The second was with Og, king of Bashan, also in Numbers 21 –

“Then Moses sent to spy out Jazer; and they took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.
33 And they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. So Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. 34 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.’ 35 So they defeated him, his sons, and all his people, until there was no survivor left him; and they took possession of his land.” Numbers 21:32-35

The Amorite refused Israel’s request to allow them to pass through their land and came out against them in battle…

8 (con’t) But I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you.

As is so often the case, the Lord notes that despite Israel having waged the war, it was He who gave the victory. Without the Lord, they could not prevail, but with His presence among them, they could not lose.

9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel,

The word lakham, to fight, battle, or war against another is used. However, no battle took place against Moab. This is not a contradiction. Rather, it says that Balak arose to make war against Israel. It doesn’t say he made war against Israel.

Knowing that Israel had defeated Sihon and Og, he knew they were a force to be reckoned with. And so, in order to wage war, he determined to have the battle essentially won before he even entered into it. Therefore, he arose to make war…

9 (con’t) and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you.

The substance of this is addressed at the opening of Numbers 22 and it explains how he planned to defeat Israel –

“Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.” Numbers 22:2-6

Despite his cunning plan, he misunderstood the relationship of the Lord to Israel…

10 But I would not listen to Balaam;

The narrative in Numbers 22 specifically says again and again that Balaam spoke to the Lord, meaning Yehovah. He was familiar with the worship of the Lord just as Job was. However, his understanding of the Lord was certainly incorrect.

Further, his understanding of the relationship of the Lord with Israel was not known until the Lord revealed it to him…

10 (con’t) therefore he continued to bless you.

v’barekh barokh etkhem – “And blessing he blessed you.” This is recorded in Numbers 23 and 24. The first two times Balaam sought to curse Israel in accord with the request of Balak, the Lord instead sent a word of blessing. Finally, Balaam gave up and prophesied his own word of blessing over Israel without the Lord’s direction.

10 (con’t) So I delivered you out of his hand.

v’atsil etkhem mi’yado – “And I delivered you from his hand.” This is probably directly referring to Balak who had arisen to go to war with Israel, but it is inclusive of the means of his strategy, meaning the employment of Balaam. With the events complete, the last verse of Numbers 24 said, “So Balaam rose and departed and returned to his place; Balak also went his way.”

Though Israel would meet Balaam again in Numbers 31 and kill him with the sword, the narrative here is focused on the threat of being cursed by the Lord through the machinations of Balaam. Israel was delivered from this possibility. With that, the narrative turns to the great moment hoped for since the time of Abraham…

Your eyes saw what I did in Egypt
And the great deeds I accomplished there
The power of Pharoah was stripped
To Me, what god would you compare?

I led you through the wilderness
Even to the land of the Amorite
But of his power who would confess?
When I destroyed him from your sight

I brought you to the Jordan by My hand
And I brought you through it as well
I placed you in the most beautiful land
And it is there that you now dwell

Speak of the deeds of Lord all your days
Be sure to honor Him and sing out His praise

II. We Will Serve the Lord (verses 11-15)

11 Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

Although a large number of versions follow this general translation, it misses the point. First, the word translated as “men” is the plural of baal. It signifies a lord, master, husband, etc. It refers to one who has supreme authority over those under him.

Jericho, as the first point of battle, is being used as a summary of the inhabitants of the land for the subsequent battles –

“And you passed through the Jordan and came to Jericho, and fought against the lords [baale] of Jericho: The Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Girgashite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite” (CG).

It is as if Jericho is the main location of Canaan because it was first engaged in battle. The “lords of Jericho,” then speak of the leaders of all the ethnic groups within Canaan.

These same people groups, although mentioned in a different order, were referred to by Moses in Deuteronomy 7 –

“When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, 2 and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. 5 But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.” Deuteronomy 7:1-5

The contents of this verse convey the fourth major section of the discourse, The Move through the Jordan and the Subduing of the Land of Canaan. Israel defeated those who came against them. Israel engaged these foes…

11 (con’t) But I delivered them into your hand.

Though speaking to Israel in the plural, He notes their united nature in what transpired: va’eten otham b’yedkhem – “And gave them [pl.] into your hand [sg.].” Israel was given the victory because of the Lord’s granting of it to them.

With that, and despite still speaking about the subduing of the land, I would take the next verse as the final section of the discourse which is The Planting of Israel in the Land of Promise…

12 I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, 

va’eshlakh lipnekhem eth ha’tsirah vat’garesh otham mip’nekhem – “And I sent before your faces the hornet, and it drove out them from before your faces.” This is the last of three times that the hornet is mentioned in the Bible.

It is derived from tsara, to be struck with leprosy. Thus it is an afflicter, like leprosy. The Lord sent this afflicter, the hornet, before Israel in order to defeat the enemy, driving them out. Due to the article, “the hornet,” the language is to be taken metaphorically.

Similar terminology is used concerning bees in Deuteronomy 1:44 and Psalm 118:12. There, bees are equated with one’s enemies, not literal insects.

Then, Joshua says that this is fulfilled in the case of the Amorites in the next clause. However, Moses, speaking of the same battle, showed that it was, in fact, Israel who defeated them –

“And at that time we took the land from the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were on this side of the Jordan, from the River Arnon to Mount Hermon…” Deuteronomy 3:8

That was repeated in Deuteronomy 4:47 and it was referring to the kings Sihon and Og. Therefore, this is referring to a connection between the hornet and its associated word meaning leprosy.

The Lord promised health and long life to Israel if they held to His laws. As they were going into a land defiled by those things which are opposed to a healthy lifestyle, the enemy had been, or would be, afflicted with disease to the point where they were incapable of standing up to Israel’s armies.

Thus, “the hornet” is a metaphor for God’s judgment of sickness upon them, preparing them for destruction by Israel. As the Bible records that Israel actually faced these foes in battle, this is a reasonable explanation for the term “the hornet” which is said to have been sent before them.

The same types of effects are noted upon the people of Israel during their own times of siege from the enemies who came against them.

The overall evidence demonstrates that the words “the hornet” are speaking of the effects upon the people as a result of their destruction by Israel, as the Lord led them. As noted, this included…

12 (con’t) also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow.

The word “also” is not in the text and it confuses the substance of what is said: sh’ne malkhe ha’emori lo b’karvkha v’lo b’qashtekha – “two kings the Amorite, no in your sword and no in your bow.” Pretty much everyone says this is referring to the two kings east of the Jordan, Sihon and Og.

Rather, it pertains to two main kings, but it is referring to Amorites on both sides of the Jordan. This goes back, for example, to Joshua 10, where it said –

“Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered together and went up, they and all their armies, and camped before Gibeon and made war against it.” Joshua 10:5

There, as quite often is the case elsewhere, it is singular, showing the united nature of the people: va’yeas’phu va’yaalu khameshet malkhe ha’emori – “And gathered together and went up five kings the Amorite.” It is five kings, but one people, even though they were not all Amorites.

Rather, they included Hittites, Jebusites, etc. But they are lumped together as being a part of “the Amorite.” After the battle, it repeated the notion that the Lord delivered up the Amorite before the children of Israel.

In this chapter, the listing given in the previous verse began with the Amorite. Thus, the rest of the people groups are listed under the Amorite. There was the Amorite east of Jordan, and there was the Amorite west of the Jordan. The words speak of the total victory over the enemies in all the land they possess.

It is because of these words that I say this belongs in the final section of the discourse, that of The Planting of Israel in the Land of Promise. This verse is only referring to the battles after they have been completed in the narrative.

The defeat of the two kings was recorded in verses 24:8 & 11. The defeat in 24:8 was the king of the Amorite (lumped together as one) east of the Jordan and the defeat in 24:11 was the king of the Amorite (lumped together as one) west of the Jordan.

Therefore, this is more an explanation that rest has been granted than a description of the process of granting it. The Lord provided the rest through His efforts. With that, He then reaffirms that notion…

13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor,

More precisely: “And I have given to you a land which not you did become weary in her.” The word “for” implies attaining the land, but that is not what is being conveyed. It is referring to the things in the land. In other words, the Lord gave them the land as noted in the previous verse.

But within the land, there was no need to then start making it productive. That was all set up for them by the previous inhabitants who the Lord drove out. Forests were cleared, wells were dug, roads were in place, thorns would have been burned off (and Israel is full of thorns!), etc.

This is indicated by the use of the word yaga, to become weary. It comes from a primitive root signifying to grasp. As such, it means to be exhausted, tire, toil, be weary, and so on. When one is tired, he will grasp onto something to hold himself up. Israel did not have this problem. And more, the next words are said in a similar fashion…

13 (con’t) and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them;

The translation is just right. The cities were there, they were cleared of inhabitants, and Israel moved right in and started cooking dinner that night. And more…

13 (con’t) you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’

The words are fine but reversed: “Vineyards and olive groves which not you did plant, you eat.” At the first harvest, all they had to do was go out and start plucking produce off the vines and trees. After that, the maintenance would be up to them. Israel was given a land of abundance by the Lord. He did everything to prepare it for them in advance.

If one thinks about it, if the land was divided into languages at the time of Peleg, who was born in the year 1758 Anno Mundi, and Abraham received his call in 2084AM, then the population of Canaan at the time would not have been great.

However, with the addition of almost five hundred years between the promise and Israel’s entry into the land (Joshua began in the year 2555AM), there would have been many more people, many more cities, much more productive land, etc. The Lord prepared everything by His wisdom to ensure Israel could immediately move in and be secure.

As for the contents of this verse, it is exactly what Moses said would be the case –

“So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— 12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.” Deuteronomy 6:10-12

As this is so, and as Moses also warned, Joshua continues…

14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth,

v’atah yeru eth Yehovah v’ivdu oto b’tamim u-b’emeth – “And now, fear Yehovah and serve Him in perfection and in truth.” The word fear signifies to have a fearful reverence of the Lord. In treating Him flippantly, He will be displeased and consequences for that attitude will result.

The word translated as perfection, tamim, is found in much of the Old Testament. However, it is found mostly in three books: Leviticus, Numbers, and Ezekiel.

In those books, it is mostly used in reference to the unblemished nature of the sacrifices offered to the Lord. They were to be perfect because they are given as typical of the Lord. The idea is that just as the Lord is perfect, so is to be the service of the Lord’s people toward Him.

The word emeth, or truth, is from aman, to confirm or support. Thus, there is a sense of assuredness, establishment, and faithfulness being conveyed. In this, the people were not to simply go through the motions, nor just pay lip service. Rather, they were to serve perfectly and faithfully.

But more, to serve in truth would be to serve in accord with the word given by the Lord through Moses. If the Lord is perfect, then the word He gave was perfect as well. As the word anticipated the coming of Jesus (John 5:39, etc.), then the logical deduction to be made is that only in serving the Lord through Jesus is one serving Him in perfection and in truth.

Jesus conveyed this thought in John 4 –

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’
25 The woman said to Him, ‘I know that Messiah is coming’ (who is called Christ). ‘When He comes, He will tell us all things.’
26 Jesus said to her, ‘I who speak to you am He.’” John 4:21-26

As for Israel at the time of Joshua, in order to properly serve the Lord, Joshua says…

14 (con’t) and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!

Rather than a separate thought as rendered here, it is all one sentence, “…and serve the Lord.” The narrative here implicitly returns to the Genesis account where Jacob said the same thing to his family –

“And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, ‘Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.’” Genesis 35:2-4

As was seen previously, the gathering is in Shechem, the same location as that account in Genesis. But notice also that Joshua clearly says that not only did the fathers on the other side of the Euphrates worship other gods, but so did the fathers who lived in Egypt.

They had fallen into the world of idolatry as is evidenced in Leviticus 17:7 and Amos 5:25. The latter is then cited by Stephen in Acts 7, as noted in our text verse. They had to be called out of that in order to make them a people prepared for the Lord. As these things are only anticipatory of the coming of Christ, one can more fully understand the words of Zechariah –

“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17

John the Baptist was to prepare Israel for the coming Messiah. Israel rejected Him and were exiled. Someday, they will be come to Christ. Hence, the return of Elijah as one of the two witnesses of Revelation is ahead. As for Israel under Joshua…

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

There is a strong emphasis in the words: v’im ra b’enekhem la’avod eth Yehovah bacharu lakhem ha’yom eth mi taavodun – “And if evil in your eyes to serve Yehovah, choose to you the day whom you will (surely) serve.” As Bob Dylan said, “…you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Joshua is essentially letting Israel’s leaders know this. Either one will serve the Lord or he will find other gods to serve, even if it is the god of self because man is designed to serve someone. Or maybe…

15 (con’t) whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River,

im eth elohim asher avedu avothekhem asher b’ever ha’nakhar – “if gods which served your fathers which in side the River.” It means the gods of Mesopotamia across the Euphrates. These were household gods, gods of stone on the street corners, etc. They were those things fashioned and designed by man for the purpose of being man’s gods…

15 (con’t) or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.

v’im eth elohe ha’emori asher atem yoshvim b’artsam – “And if gods the Amorite which you dwell in their land.” These gods leaned toward nature and creation, such as Baal, Asherah, the sun, moon, stars, and so forth.

The connection between all of them is that they are false gods of man’s devising. They are powerless to assist and powerless to save. Whereas…

*15 (fin) But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

v’anokhi u-beiti naavod eth Yehovah – “And I, and my house, we will serve Yehovah.” He has made the proclamation and it is essentially an eternal one. The reason is because there is no record of Joshua’s family apart from his father Nun.

It says he is from the tribe of Ephraim in Numbers 13:8, and although there is a Joshua recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:27, that may not even be the same Joshua. The father’s name is spelled differently, Non instead of Nun. But even if it is the same Joshua, there is no record beyond him, it simply says, “Non, his son, and Joshua, his son.” That would make him the last of his house.

Therefore, as there is no record of Joshua having a wife or children, his proclamation – from a scriptural sense – extends the word “house” to those who are of his caliber and faith rather than a recorded family. The same thought is expressed by Paul in Galatians 6 –

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10

In this, one can see Joshua as a type of Christ, he being the head of the house of faith just as Jesus is the head of the household of the faithful in Him. Joshua and his life are being carefully depicted again and again to reveal the Person and work of the Lord.

And this is exactly what the word wants us to see. Everything is centered on the coming of Jesus Christ and then the further explanation and revelation of Him into the future. It is He who is the focal point of our understanding of God as well as our experience with Him.

God is in the infinite realm; we are in the finite realm. The two cannot interact without a connector between the two. But even more, God is holy and pure. Man is fallen and tainted. God in Christ is the Purifier and Connector. He is the Way to God and the Door through whom access is finally obtained.

Without Him there is no hope. But with Him, there is absolute surety. Thank God for Jesus Christ who alone gives us the joy of restoration and reconciliation with our heavenly Father. Yes, thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord.

Closing Verse: “You drove out the nations with Your hand,
But them You planted;
You afflicted the peoples, and cast them out.
3 For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword,
Nor did their own arm save them;
But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance,
Because You favored them.” Psalm 44:2, 3

Next Week: Joshua 24:16-28 The people need to be properly shod to walk before the Lord carefully… (For He Is a Holy God, Part III) (57th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His people rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

For He Is a Holy God, Part II

‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt
And you came to the sea as directed by Me
And the Egyptians pursued your fathers
With chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea

So they cried out to the LORD
And He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, brought the
———-sea upon them, and covered them too
And your eyes saw what I did in Egypt
Then you dwelt in the wilderness a long time; the days did accrue

And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the
———-other side of the Jordan
And they fought with you; a battle did ensue
But I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land
ZAnd I destroyed them from before you

Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab
Arose to make war against Israel
And sent and called Balaam the son of Beor
To curse you, that prophesying dumbbell

But I would not listen to Balaam
Therefore he continued to bless you
So I delivered you out of his hand
Because Balak’s plans were askew

Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho
And the men of Jericho fought against you
Also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites
The Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites too

But I delivered them into your hand
My victory over them was grand

I sent the hornet before you
Which drove them out from before you as you know
Also the two kings of the Amorites
But not with your sword or with your bow

I have given you a land for which you did not labor
And cities which you did not build, such was your grant
And you now dwell in them
You eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant

“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth
And put away the gods your hearts have inclined toward
Which your fathers served on the other side of the River
———-and in Egypt
Serve the LORD!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve
Whether the gods which your fathers served
That were on the other side of the River, if you have the nerve

Or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell
But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD
———-so to you I tell

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to You for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 ‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea; and the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 So they cried out to the Lord; and He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, brought the sea upon them, and covered them. And your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. Then you dwelt in the wilderness a long time. 8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites, who dwelt on the other side of the Jordan, and they fought with you. But I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose to make war against Israel, and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I would not listen to Balaam; therefore he continued to bless you. So I delivered you out of his hand. 11 Then you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho. And the men of Jericho fought against you—also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. But I delivered them into your hand. 12 I sent the hornet before you which drove them out from before you, also the two kings of the Amorites, but not with your sword or with your bow. 13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’

14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! 15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”