When in the land of Canaan, already in possession of the milk and honey, Joshua assembled the people of Israel and made it clear that God had fought for them. Though there were still some enemies to defeat, he said these enemies would also be overcome, like the others were. But, for this to happen, the people had to continue serving God.

Overcoming these enemies required effort, plus keeping the Word of God, to the point where they could not turn to the right or to the left. It would require an even greater effort. What effort needs to be made to listen to the Word of God? None. However, to put it into practice, effort is not enough. They would need to make a great effort.

Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left. Joshua 23.6

Not all of the people of the land of Canaan were killed, and they surely thought, “If the Israelites defeated our best warriors, they will definitely also overcome us”, so they surrendered. Joshua was concerned about the Israelites associating with these people and being corrupted by them, because they had other gods. The same happens nowadays. We live by faith but, in most instances, in our day-to-day lives, we are surrounded corrupt environments. People attend a Church meeting for about an hour and a half, and then spend twenty-two and a half hours outside the Church, and this is on the days they do go to Church. And, though in Church, we can’t expect to not come across unbelievers, who say certain things like: “it’s not quite like that…”

Notice Joshua’s mindset in the following verse: Now, vigilantly guard your souls: Love God, your God. Joshua 23.11 (The Message)

He asks the people for commitment, not so they preserve the milk and honey, but for them to preserve their souls. And how would they do this? By protecting their faith, as if it were a treasure. Joshua did campaigns to get the people to the Promised Land, but his main concern was with the salvation of their souls.