What makes a good valedictory speech? It should recount all the good times that have been enjoyed. It should summarise the achievements, celebrate the successes. It should motivate to go on to greater victories. It should inspire, enthuse. The audience revels in the moment. The orator quietly exits stage left, leaving them to go and do thus. Joshua’s speeches are wonderful examples of valediction; not just one but two inspirational speeches. The first was to the nation’s leaders, the second to all the tribes in general, in the hearing of their leaders. They are recorded at Joshua chapters 23 and 24 respectively.
The first speech reminds the Israelites of what has been achieved by Jehovah on their behalf. He did the fighting. They just had to turn up and be obedient. The incumbent nations were thrust away so that Israel could take up their divinely promised inheritance – land already cultivated, vineyards, olive groves, cities ready to inhabit. It was to enjoy. But they were not to sit back and relax too much. There was a danger lurking. They were told, ‘be on your guard constantly’. Why would they not love Jehovah? What was the danger? Some of the nations were still in the land. Their religious rites were carnal, sensuous, and voluptuous. Their daughters were pretty. They will befriend you and seduce you. So never give them the chance. Do not mingle with them. Do not talk about their gods. Do not bow down to their idols. Do not invite them over for tea, coffee and cakes. Association leads to friendship, friendship grows, leading to marriage alliances, to worship of their gods, to enmity with Jehovah. Disloyalty to Jehovah will lead to expulsion from this beautiful land that He has so generously given to you for you to enjoy. So don’t do it! What will help, motivate and inspire you to remain loyal? Love. If you love Jehovah your God then you won’t do these things that will destroy your peace and prosperity.
Was there any reason to doubt Jehovah, to wonder whether he would or could deliver? Look at 23:14. Here is the climax of this first speech: Jah delivered them from Egypt, protected them in the great and fear-inspiring wilderness and sustained them in challenging situations – food, water and clothing. And he has now made provision to sustain them forever more in their own home.
Alas it took a long time for the Israelites to learn how to live in the world and not be of the world. When they did learn that importance they went too far, to pharisaic exclusiveness, missing the whole point of the law. The parallels to today are obvious. Jehovah has delivered his people from Babylon the Great. We are no longer enslaved to false religion – mysterious trinities, immortal souls, hell-fire, immorality and amorality, sects, divisions, spiritism, the works of the flesh. He feeds us spiritually, whoever and wherever we are. We have a family of over eight million siblings to help us along the way. We have a purpose in life and a hope that keeps us alive. But we too must learn to be in the world and not of the world. We are friendly towards our neighbours, school and work colleagues. We do not befriend them. That one coffee together will lead to another, to signing that petition, to fund raising for that worthy charity, supporting the parish council, church hall, friendship with the whole village, social gatherings, romantic liaisons… Why would we want to do this? We don’t but it’s a subtle trap that we just drift into. And snap!
So, not one promise has failed. Can you think of one? If this is true of the here and now, what about the future? As we step into Armageddon, what are you especially looking forward to on the other side? Body parts functioning correctly, the planet restored, the resurrection, the burdens of this world lifted from our shoulders and feeling fifty percent taller, serving our beloved father without distraction! Are these promises real to us? Can we see them? We can almost touch them. So why would we even think of befriending this world that’s about to be destroyed by Jehovah? We have every reason to remain loyal to Jehovah, our God who cannot lie. Not one promise has ever failed, and never will. So revel in Joshua’s valedictory speeches, dig them out from time to time. They will always inspire, enthuse and motivate us for the battles and guaranteed victories ahead.
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