Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;
So be very brave and strong to carefully obey everything that is written in the book of Moses' law. Don't turn away from it in any direction, not to the right or to the left.
Joshua is telling the Israelites to be courageously committed to following God's law completely, without compromising or taking shortcuts in any direction.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context, Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses, is delivering his farewell address to the Israelites after they have largely conquered the Promised Land under his guidance. He emphasizes the need to remain obedient to the Law of Moses to prevent spiritual drift and assimilation into the surrounding pagan cultures. This warning occurs as the nation transitions from conquest to settlement, facing ongoing threats from neighboring peoples.
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