I just noticed a great “summary” verse in Joshua 22, that being verse 5 specifically.
Joshua the General of the army of Israel is dismissing some of his “troops” … the seven year war for Canaan being virtually over.
His “commission” to them:
“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Again, this is Joshua 22:5, King James Version.
The expression “diligent heed” translates two words, “meod” (meaning “exceedingly, mightily, greatly, abundantly”) and “shamar” (meaning “guardianship, watchcare, awareness”).
With all one’s being, 100% dedication!
The nouns “commandment” and “law” both refer to what we now call “the Word of God!” Of necessity here the Old Testament is in view, of course!
And the verb “charged” means “ordered,” spelled “tzsavah.”
Then today’s Lesson … today’s verse …
Five verbs, action words!
” … to LOVE the Lord your God, and to WALK in all his ways, and to KEEP his commandments, and to CLEAVE unto him, and to SERVE him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
Wow!
“Ahab” (“to love”) means with passion, deeply felt in one’s soul!
“Yalak” (“to walk”) includes all times of life, 24/7 it’s called these days! To behave properly!
“”Shamar” (” to keep”) means here I think “to obey.” Not to neglect!
“”Dabaq” (” to cleave”) means “to cling, to be glued, be joined, to follow hard (close by)” all one’s days!
And “abad” (“to serve”) means “to obey one’s Master as if His slave!”
Wow!
What a verse to learn!
“But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
The Godly life in summary!
In the New Testament, is there a parallel?
Maybe … “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or Jesus’ Words … “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30
But I still wonder if our text today might not say it most succinctly of all!
One more time … “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to LOVE the Lord your God, and to WALK in all his ways, and to KEEP his commandments, and to CLEAVE unto him, and to SERVE him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell