Look What The Lord Has Done Series

4. Just like the Israelites, we must love the Lord more than anything.

a. 1 Jn. 2:15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

b. Our love for the Lord must be intentional and undivided.

c. Our love for the Lord must cause us to "cling tightly" to Him.

d. To place something as more important than our relationship with the Lord is nothing less than idol worship.

e. The Lord will not accept second place in our lives. He must be first.

Transition: If we do not do these things, we could face...

III. The Consequences (12-16)

A. But If You Turn Away

1. Anytime that God gives us a challenge, there are always two variables that come into play.

a. Benefits of obedience

b. Consequences of disobedience

2. Here Joshua gives the consequences. He says, “But if you turn away from him and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry with them, then know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive them out of your land.

a. The first consequence is that the Lord will no longer drive away their enemies.

b. He would no longer fight for them.

c. He would no longer give them the land.

d. "Here is the danger of freedom. God seeks mans free response of love, and does His part to deserve and receive that love.

e. God does not force it upon us, but if we ignore God’s grace we receive God’s judgment" (Butler, 256).

3. The second consequence is "Instead, they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes, and you will vanish from this good land the LORD your God has given you."

a. It is like a domino effect.

b. The Lord will not drive the nations out, and therefore, they become a trap to them.

c. They would be subject to their influence, and they would be lead into idol worship. This is the one thing that God cannot tolerate.

d. 2 Cor. 6:17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

e. This does not mean that we create a Christian bubble for ourselves, but that we live above their influence and become the influencers.

4. Once again, Joshua reminds them of Yahweh’s faithfulness. He says, "Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!"

a. The leaders must remember one particular blessing of God, the most wonderful blessing of all: the complete fulfillment of all God’s promises.

b. Not a single promise of God’s has ever failed. He has completely fulfilled every single one.

c. God is faithful to His dear people, doing exactly what He has promised.

d. 2 Cor. 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (NKJV).

5. However, he quickly points out what happens if they fail to serve the Lord. "If you break the covenant of the LORD your God by worshiping and serving other gods, his anger will burn against you, and you will quickly vanish from the good land he has given you.”