The title may seem strange and you may wonder where the concept of freedom resides in the first part of Joshua’s farewell address in Chapter 23. At the end of his leadership, Joshua was free from himself. The sole focus of his message was the LORD God. His humility was a byproduct of him being free in the LORD. 

Chapters 23 and 24 together are Joshua’s Deuteronomy. Joshua’s last public message was essentially his will, which comprised both warning and love, before the sons of Israel. 

The LORD: What He did

Although an incredible servant of God, godly leader, and brilliant military strategist, Joshua never boasted about his achievements. Rather, he highlighted what the LORD did and what He had shown to the Israelites. 

His message started with “what the LORD God has done” for all the Israelites, and how He fought for them (Joshua 23:3). Joshua also emphasized that because the LORD fought for them, one man was able to fight a thousand and they were able to drive out other nations (Joshua 23:9-10). Although this was his last public message, his entire focus was on the LORD God, the true source of every blessing, victory, and miracle. 

The Israelites: What to Do 

In the midst of highlighting all the mighty acts of the LORD God, his message had three specific commands for the Israelites: 1) Be very firm to keep all that is written in the book of the law of Moses (Joshua 23:6); 2) Cling to the LORD your God as you have done to this day (Joshua 23:8); and 3) Diligently heed to yourselves and love the LORD your God (Joshua 23:11).  

Does this sound like a set of burdensome commands to you? Perhaps. However, I think these “commands” are in fact a love call from the LORD God and his strong desire to have an intimate father-children relation. They are an expression from a loving Father and His desire to be close to the Israelites. 

About Joshua: the LORD the Warrior

Joshua’s message in this chapter reveals a particular unique side of the LORD God he experienced. In more detail, how Joshua experienced God was different from how Moses experienced God. Moses’ first encounter with God was through the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). Another major encounter took place when Moses spent 40 days and nights to receive the word of God, the Ten Commandments. As such, Moses was a law giver to the Israelites. Mose experienced God the law giver. 

On the other hand, Joshua experienced God the warrior. Joshua’s very first encounter with God was when he fought the Amalekites in Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16). After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, Joshua led the Israelites to major battles against Jericho, Ai, southern kings, northern kings, and many others. To Joshua, the most personal character of God was the LORD God who fought and gave victories for Israel. As such, Joshua gave his personal message with many references to God in this way: He has been fighting for you (Josh 23:3); He will thrust them [enemies] out before you and drive them before you (Josh 23:5); The LORD has driven out great and strong nations from before you (Josh 23:10); for the LORD your God is He who fights for you (Josh 23:10)

How was and has been your encounter with God? What is your personal description of God? 

About Joshua: Humility

Many leaders usually do not think about the time they need to step away. Just take a look at many authoritarian leaders across the world today – they have done everything  (i.e. rigging election, suppressing opposition parties,  changing constitutions, etc.) to stay in power. However, Joshua admitted that his life on earth would end shortly and he did not worry too much about the next leadership as he fully trusted the LORD God. Even mentioning his death, he continued to emphasize the steadfastness of the LORD, who fulfilled all the promises He made (Joshua 23:14). 

The LORD: Father heart of God

The message’s end may seem strange (Joshua 23:12-13, 15-16) as it comprises a set of very strong warnings and stark consequences. Some of these warnings may cringe you and wonder how can a loving God allow such atrocities to take place if they disobeyed? 

I think imagining yourself as a parent (if you are not already) would help understand this part of the message. Because the world is a fallen place, most parents would give many warnings to children out of their love, such as: “make sure you cross the street after checking left and right”, “do not ever follow a stranger”,”do not take any food from a stranger”,”avoid dangerous places,” etc. So does God. He knows that His children are vulnerable in a place ruled by the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:3). Therefore, He provided a set of strong warnings and stark consequences – not to destroy, but to protect their lives.

A very similar message was given by Moses to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 28. His message covered a lot more curses and adverse consequences than blessings. God loves His children and wants to protect them in a fallen world. The only way they are protected is to stay within the LORD God and fully love Him by obeying His commands. 

Conclusion

In his last public message, Joshua solely focused on the LORD His God. It was not about him, but about what the LORD God did for him and for the Israelites. Many of the most respected leaders in history started great, but fell precipitously at the end of their lives because they kept focusing on themselves and their glory, which eventually led to their downfall. By focusing on the true God, even at the end of his leadership tenure, Joshua was free. By focusing on the LORD God Himself and His love to His people, Joshua naturally imbued humility and peace in his farewell address to Israel.