Justin Houtz

Joshua 23, Hebrews 6

DateVersionReading Plan
July 29, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Joshua 23

Observation & Interpretation

Josh. 23:1 – The chapter begins by noting that a long time had elapsed, that the LORD had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies and Joshua was old and advanced in years

Josh. 23:2-16 – Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, judges and officers and spoke to them

  • Joshua recounted all that the LORD had done and their allotment of inheritance
  • Joshua exhorted the people to be strong, to keep and do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses
  • The people were to neither turn to the right hand or the left so as not to mix with the nations among them, mention the names of their gods or swear by them, serve them or bow down to them
  • If the people turned back to cling to the nations remaining among them, the LORD would no longer drive out the nations before them
    • The nations would be a snare and a trap for them until they perish from off the good land
  • Joshua again speaks of how he is about to go the way of all the earth and that all that God had promised came to pass (Josh. 23:14)
    • However, just as the good things were fulfilled, if they transgress the covenant of the LORD their God, He would bring upon them all the evil things until He destroyed them from off the good land

Hebrews 6

Observation & Interpretation

Heb. 6:1 – Paul compels believers to leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity

Heb. 6:1b-2 – Paul specifies the things to be left

  • These first principles represented Judaism, and were preparatory to the coming of Christ. Christians should not be content with these by should press on to the fuller revelation they now have in Christ (BBC)

Heb. 6:3 – The leaving of elementary doctrines is only as God permits

  • The limiting factor will be on their side and not on God’s side. God will enable them to advance to full spiritual manhood, but they must respond to the word positively by exercising true faith and endurance (BBC)

Heb. 6:4-8 – This passage—the third warning about apostasy and unbelief (2:14; 3:12-13; 10:26-31; 12:25-29) is highly debated. The discussion involves whether vv. 4-8 refers to people how had saving faith in Christ at one time but later rejected Christ. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that no one who truly believes will pass away (John 6:39-40). However, the warning in Heb. 6:4-8 seems to imply that it was, indeed, possible for people to have been truly saved and later reject that salvation…[Ultimately,] Only God knows who is truly saved (FSB)

Heb. 6:13 – God swore by Himself since He had no one greater on whom He could swear

  • References Gen. 22:16-17 specifically

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