But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day.
The verse belongs to Joshua's final address to Israel, given after the wars of conquest had ended and the Lord had given the people rest from their enemies. In it Israel is called to remain loyal and to keep the allegiance to the Lord that they have held up to that day. Cleaving to the Lord means making Him first in thought and affection and relying on Him as the source of strength.
Joshua grounded this call by reviewing God's care, who had driven out powerful nations and fought for Israel. That review was to awaken gratitude and humility. It was also to give confidence in His protection for continued faithfulness. Such loyalty requires refusing allegiance to idolatrous nations and their gods and avoiding idolatry and close ties with idolaters, since those influences corrupt and lead into sin and ruin. Departing from the Lord brings ruin, for God is faithful both to His promises and to His threats and warnings, and this counsel applies personally to each person.
The verse belongs to Joshua's final address to Israel, given after the wars of conquest had ended and the Lord had given the people rest from their enemies. In it Israel is called to remain loyal and to keep the allegiance to the Lord that they have held up to that day. Cleaving to the Lord means making Him first in thought and affection and relying on Him as the source of strength.
Joshua grounded this call by reviewing God's care, who had driven out powerful nations and fought for Israel. That review was to awaken gratitude and humility. It was also to give confidence in His protection for continued faithfulness. Such loyalty requires refusing allegiance to idolatrous nations and their gods and avoiding idolatry and close ties with idolaters, since those influences corrupt and lead into sin and ruin. Departing from the Lord brings ruin, for God is faithful both to His promises and to His threats and warnings, and this counsel applies personally to each person.