Jos 23:12-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Josh 23:12-16: 23:12-16 Apostasy—turning away from the true God—is fatal. • Because God is holy, Joshua could speak with optimism regarding God’s promises and the good land into which God had brought them. God will not change his holy character even if his people change. The rebellion of God’s people cannot damage his holiness, but rebellion will destroy those who rebel. 23:12 Joshua warned God’s people not to intermarry with their polytheistic neighbors because such an intimate relationship would lead the Israelites astray (Deut 7:3-4 ). However, Canaanites who desired to worship the Lord and join God’s people were welcomed (Josh 6:25 ; Ruth 4:10 ). Race, language, and ethnicity had no bearing on God’s prohibition of intermarriage; it was a matter of faithfulness to the Lord (cp. 2 Cor 6:14-15 ).

a23:12-16►

cDeut 7:3-4►

dJosh 6:25►

eRuth 4:10►

f2 Cor 6:14-15►

‏ Joshua 23:12-13

Summary for Josh 23:12-16: 23:12-16 ^a Apostasy—turning away from the true God—is fatal.

• Because God is holy, Joshua could speak with optimism regarding God’s promises and the good land into which God had brought them. God will not change his holy character even if his people change. The rebellion of God’s people cannot damage his holiness, but rebellion will destroy those who rebel. 23:12 ^b Joshua warned God’s people not to intermarry with their polytheistic neighbors because such an intimate relationship would lead the Israelites astray (Deut 7:3-4 ^c). However, Canaanites who desired to worship the Lord and join God’s people were welcomed (Josh 6:25 ^d; Ruth 4:10 ^e). Race, language, and ethnicity had no bearing on God’s prohibition of intermarriage; it was a matter of faithfulness to the Lord (cp. 2 Cor 6:14-15 ^f).
23:13 ^g will no longer drive them out: If Israel associated with the Canaanite remnant, God would oblige the Israelites by not driving out that remnant. God ultimately gives people what they seek.