As Joshua approaches the end of his life, he offers one final challenge to the children of Israel in Joshua 24:14 “So now, revere Yahweh and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness; remove the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve Yahweh.” The Lord has brought them into this land and subdued all of their enemies. They have enjoyed the peace and now face a decision. Will they follow Yahweh? Joshua repeats himself in Joshua 24:23 He said, “Remove the foreign gods that are in your midst, and incline your hearts to Yahweh the God of Israel.” Joshua’s question to them can be asked of every generation. He said in Joshua 24:15 “choose for yourselves today whom you want to serve” and for those of us that believe God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, for those of us called Christians, our answer ought to be as Joshua’s was “but as for me and my household, we will serve Yahweh.”
When They Heard the Words
Joshua 22:30–34
Israel faces internal division as the clans West of Jordan imagine treachery on the part of the clans East of the Jordan, at least until they listen and hear the explanation in
Joshua 22:30 Phinehas the priest, the leaders of the congregation, and the heads of the clans of Israel who were with him heard the words that the descendants of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh spoke, and they were satisfied.
Even though they had been fighting together to take the land for five years or more, at the first rumor of misconduct, the heads of the clans of Israel had been ready to destroy the land East of Jordan but neither group had inquired of the Lord before they acted. Now, after the conflict, they think to bless God in
Joshua 22:33–34 The report satisfied the Israelites; they blessed God, and they did not speak of going up for battle against them to destroy the land in which the descendants of Reuben and Gad were living.
Observe Carefully All That is Written
Joshua 23:1–7
Israel has rest from their external enemies and they had peace with each other in
Joshua 23:1 And it happened, after a long time, after Yahweh had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and after Joshua was old and well-advanced in years,
After the warfare, after, at eighty-five, Joshua had gone to live in his city. We don’t know exactly how long after, but he lived another twenty-five years after this so maybe after a generation had grown up he summons all the leaders in
Joshua 23:2 Joshua summoned all Israel, their elders, heads, judges, and officials, and he said to them, “I am old and well-advanced in years,
and he reminds them of all the good things God has done in bringing them into this land in Joshua 23:3 and the inheritance they now have in Joshua 23:4 and God’s continued and future promise to them in Joshua 23:5. Then he reminds them to follow God and him only in
Joshua 23:6 Be very strong to observe carefully all that is written in the scroll of the law of Moses so as not to turn aside from it, to the right or left,
If Indeed You Turn Back
Joshua 23:8–16
They Presented Themselves Before God
Joshua 24:1–7
I Gave to You a Land That You Have Not Labored
Choose Yourselves Today Whom You Want to Serve
Joshua 24:14–24
As Joshua, now in his last years, admonishes the people of Israel, he says to them twice, remove the foreign Gods. He says “revere Yahweh” and “remove the gods” in
Joshua 24:14 “So now, revere Yahweh and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness; remove the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve Yahweh.”
but this is no demand. They are not required to serve Yahweh, they are free to choose and as Joshua declares his allegiance to Yahweh, he presents them with that choice in
Joshua 24:15 But if it is bad in your eyes to serve Yahweh, choose for yourselves today whom you want to serve, whether it is the gods that your ancestors served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve Yahweh.”
and the people all respond that they will not forsake Yahweh in Joshua 23:16. Then Joshua challenges them saying “you cannot serve Yahweh” in Joshua 23:17. Joshua must have seen the people turning away already and he issues a strong caution in
Joshua 24:20 If you forsake Yahweh and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster to you; he will destroy you after he has done good to you.”
but the people respond that they will not forsake him in
Joshua 24:21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve Yahweh.”
so Joshua says to them again “remove the foreign gods” in
Joshua 24:23 He said, “Remove the foreign gods that are in your midst, and incline your hearts to Yahweh the God of Israel.”
Some believe that serving God is a passive act that only requires that they stop doing evil, but it is much more than that, it is an active proposition that requires doing good. Living for God means loving God, inclining your heart to him, listening to his voice and following his ways, not just for a moment in time, but for all of your life.
This Stone Will Be a Witness Against Us, For It Has Heard All The Words
Joshua 24:25–33
Study Verses
- Joshua 22:30–34 When They Heard the Words
- Joshua 23:1–7 Observe Carefully All That is Written
- Joshua 24:14–24 Choose Yourselves Today Whom You Want to Serve
Today’s Reading
- Joshua 22:30-34
- Joshua 23:1-16
- Joshua 24:1-33