"If the LORD delights in a person's way, He makes their steps firm; though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD upholds them with His hand." (Psalm 37:23,24)

The Grand Narrative: (Joshua 23 & 24) “Joshua’s Farewell”

(Joshua 23 & 24) “Joshua’s Farewell”

Published 11 October 2025

Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”

Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

⚠️ Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Mistakes

  • 1️⃣ Forgetting God’s past faithfulness and losing generational memory (Josh. 23:3, 14).
  • 2️⃣ Treating God’s Word as optional guidance instead of binding truth (Josh. 23:6).
  • 3️⃣ Allowing cultural gods and neighboring influences to persist (Josh. 23:7–8).
  • 4️⃣ Neglecting to pass on firsthand experience with God to the next generation (Josh. 24:31).
  • 5️⃣ Forgetting that spiritual drift begins with small compromises (Josh. 23:12–13).

💥 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Failures

  • 1️⃣ Failure to heed the call to courage and obedience (Josh. 23:6).
  • 2️⃣ Failure to separate from idolatry and cultural assimilation (Josh. 23:7–12).
  • 3️⃣ Failure to renew covenant regularly—treating faith as historic, not living (Josh. 24:25–27).
  • 4️⃣ Failure of leadership transition—next generation knew the stories but not the God of the stories (Josh. 24:31).
  • 5️⃣ Failure to maintain gratitude for God’s victories (Josh. 23:3).

🚫 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Sins

  • 1️⃣ Idolatry—serving gods of culture, comfort, or convenience (Josh. 24:14–15).
  • 2️⃣ Disobedience—turning aside from the written Law of Moses (Josh. 23:6).
  • 3️⃣ Complacency—believing obedience once exempts future vigilance (Josh. 23:11–13).
  • 4️⃣ Ingratitude—taking God’s victories as personal accomplishments (Josh. 23:3).
  • 5️⃣ Unbelief—refusing to trust God’s continued leadership after Joshua (Josh. 24:31).

🏆 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Successes

  • 1️⃣ Faithful leadership—Joshua finished strong, still exhorting God’s people (Josh. 23:1–2).
  • 2️⃣ Obedience to the Word as foundation for national stability (Josh. 23:6).
  • 3️⃣ Renewed covenant at Shechem uniting all Israel under Yahweh (Josh. 24:25–27).
  • 4️⃣ Establishing visible witness—the great stone as testimony to obedience (Josh. 24:26–27).
  • 5️⃣ National faithfulness throughout Joshua’s lifetime (Josh. 24:31).

🌱 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Spiritual Growth Lessons

  • 1️⃣ Remember continually—gratitude fuels obedience (Josh. 23:3, 14).
  • 2️⃣ Stay anchored in Scripture—strength flows from God’s written Word (Josh. 23:6).
  • 3️⃣ Choose daily whom you will serve—faith is not passive (Josh. 24:15).
  • 4️⃣ Cast out idols quickly before they take root (Josh. 24:14, 23).
  • 5️⃣ Cultivate firsthand experiences with God—stories alone cannot sustain faith (Josh. 24:31).

🧭 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Leadership Principles

  • 1️⃣ Finish faithfully—model endurance and obedience to the end (Josh. 23:1–2).
  • 2️⃣ Teach by remembrance—rehearse God’s works publicly and personally (Josh. 23:3, 14).
  • 3️⃣ Keep covenant renewal central—write it down, mark it, celebrate it (Josh. 24:25–27).
  • 4️⃣ Lead multi-generationally—train successors with firsthand faith (Josh. 24:31).
  • 5️⃣ Challenge with clarity—call people to decisive action and choice (Josh. 24:15).