W. Robert Godfrey

They're deliverers from sin and deliverers from enemies.

That's their important function.

In a real sense, they are saviors of Israel.

They're not the savior, they're not the perfect savior, the complete savior, but they are pointing to the people's need of salvation.

That's what's happening over and over again in the book.

In particular, this book is showing us the need of a deliverer, a leader, a savior in the great period between Joshua and Saul.

Because that's the period at which there is no common leadership.

Now, the ending of the book of Joshua is particularly important for setting the scene for the book of Judges.

And one of the most intriguing things that Joshua says near the end of his life, and he says a number of things that sound very much like Moses at the end of his life.

is basically calling the people to faithfulness, to law keeping, warning them about the dangers of breaking the law.

He particularly warns them against idolatry, the besetting sin of Israel, which is spiritual adultery against the Lord.

He warns them against intermarriage with the nations, and that will be an important warning for us to keep in mind when we come to Samson, because Samson himself fails to remember that warning.

But he makes a particularly interesting statement, Joshua does, in chapter 24 of Joshua, verses 19 and 20.

And Joshua says to the people, "'You are not able to serve the Lord.'"

Now, that's a really intriguing statement, isn't it?

He's been laboring for chapters on how they need to serve the Lord and how to serve the Lord.

And then he says, you are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God.

He is a jealous God.

He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you after having done you good.