Log inSign up

Joshua 23 · a question people ask

Joshua warns that the LORD will bring "all the evil things" (23:15). Did it happen?

In the text

The book of Joshua ends with Israel faithful: "Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua" (24:31). The later books tell what followed. In Judges the LORD says, "Because this nation transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to my voice, I also will no longer drive out any of the nations that Joshua left when he died from before them" (Judges 2:20-21). That is what 23:13 had said would happen: "the LORD your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight". In Hebrew transgressed is the verb of 23:16's disobey, and no longer drive out has the same two verbs as 23:13. Judges tells plainly what 23:12 had warned of: "They took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their own daughters to their sons and served their gods" (Judges 3:6). And Kings tells how Israel, and then Judah, lost the land: "It was so because the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God… and had feared other gods" (2 Kings 17:7), "So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day" (2 Kings 17:23), and "So Judah was carried away captive out of his land" (2 Kings 25:21).

The verses

“Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, and had known all the work of the LORD, that he had worked for Israel.”
Joshua 24:31 · World English Bible
“The LORD’s anger burned against Israel; and he said, “Because this nation transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not listened to my voice, I also will no longer drive out any of the nations that Joshua left when he died from before them;”
Judges 2:20-21 · World English Bible
“know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap to you, a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.”
Joshua 23:13 · World English Bible
“when you disobey the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them. Then the LORD’s anger will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you.””
Joshua 23:16 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Joshua 23

Joshua 23: Not one thing has failed

Joshua 23 turns on one verb: "hold fast to the LORD your God" (23:8), or "hold fast to the remnant of these nations" (23:12). And it weighs the LORD's word both ways: not one of the good things he spoke has failed (23:14), and as the good things came, so the evil things would come if Israel served other gods (23:15-16).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekJoshua 23 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Joshua 23

All questions about Joshua →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions