If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.
Joshua 23:16

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READ: Joshua 23:12-16

“I told ya so” might be one of the most frustrating phrases we ever hear from a friend or loved one. They warned us against taking that risky job, marrying that person with commitment issues, or confronting that volatile coworker about their behavior. They gave us input. They warned us about the risks. But we didn’t listen, and their words came to pass. They were right all along. Dang!

Joshua had learned a lot about human behavior over the course of his lifetime. He witnessed Israel both succeed and fail; be loyal to God and fall short; obey and disobey. Knowing he didn’t have long to live, he reminded Israel of God’s faithfulness: “You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed” (23:14b). But he also warned them: “But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you” (23:15). His words delivered the ultimate good news/bad news message.

Remaining in the Promised Land was conditional on Israel choosing to follow God. Both the land and God’s protection would be withdrawn from Israel if they made alliances (either political or personal) with the people of Canaan and bowed down to their gods.

After Joshua’s death, Israel’s history is riddled with a pattern of ignoring Joshua’s warning, having God’s blessings and protection stripped from them, and then repenting and turning back to God. Had Joshua lived to see this pattern repeated over and over again, perhaps he would have been tempted to shake his head, sigh, and utter, “I told ya so.”

A STORY OF THEN & NOW

Warned for My Good | Shelby P. | Willow Español

I’m currently pursuing a PhD in Neurological Sciences. At the start of my fourth year, everything changed. I found out my lab was under investigation for scientific fraud tied to papers published years earlier. As if that wasn’t enough, my mentor began pressuring me to graduate using data I hadn’t collected—data that wasn’t mine.

Looking back, there had been red flags all along. I had noticed questionable decisions and behaviors from colleagues—things that didn’t sit right. Now, those ignored warnings had come to a head. I was standing at a crossroads: I could compromise my integrity and move forward with tainted work—or I could walk away, losing years of progress.

I believe those red flags were God’s warning—gentle but clear—preparing me for the moment I’d have to choose the hard but right path. When I finally made the decision to switch labs and start a new project, I cried. It felt like three years of my life had been wasted. But in that darkness, God surrounded me with light. My husband, my family, pastors, and close friends lifted me up in prayer and encouragement.

The turning point came during a deep conversation with Silvia and Deysi, two wise women of God. Their words pierced through my grief, and God used them to speak to my heart and clarify my doubts and fears.

Switching labs was painful, but I felt God’s peace in the midst of it. I am confident in my decision because of that peace. Today, I continue my research with integrity—and with peace that only God could give.

DID YOU KNOW?

The book of Proverbs (nicknamed the Book of Wisdom) is filled with sayings about listening to wise counsel: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14). Proverbs is filled with nuggets that communicate principles of God’s wisdom, rather than promises for each circumstance. These principles hold true through every situation.

A PRAYER

God, who are the wise people You’ve placed in my life to offer me guidance? Help me identify them, seek their counsel, and be open to their wisdom. Amen.

FOR REFLECTION

What wise people has God placed in your life? How can you lean into them for guidance?

Think of a time when someone you respected offered you a warning. Did you listen to their warning or ignore it? What was the outcome?