Scripture Notes: Choose (Joshua 24)

As the conquest of the Promised Land progresses and the people begin to take possession of the heritage God is giving them, Joshua calls together the twelve tribes. They have an important decision to make, a critical decision, one that will affect the rest of their lives and even eternity. 

Joshua reminds them of God’s care and the great favor He has given His covenant people. Then he tells them, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if you be unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:14-15). 

Here is the choice. The people must make it right now. They can serve God and keep the covenant He has made with them, renouncing all other “gods” forever. Or they can abandon God and rely on the “gods” they served in Egypt or in the homeland of their ancestors. It must be one or the other. They cannot do both. Joshua gives the people an example by clearly stating his choice. He and his house will serve God. 

The people respond, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods” (Josh 24:16). After all, God is the One Who rescued them from slavery in Egypt and led them into the Promised Land. He has shown great signs and wonders in their midst and fought their battles for them. So, they conclude, “we also will serve the Lord, for He is our God” (Josh 24:18).

Joshua warns them that it will be no easy task to serve God. He sets standards. He has laws that must be obeyed. He will not tolerate idolatry even for an instant. And He punishes people when they sin. The people firmly maintain their choice to serve God, and Joshua ratifies that choice with a ceremony. 

Of course, the people soon do exactly the opposite of what they so vigorously proclaim. They do not serve the Lord, nor to do they obey Him, and they even begin to worship other “gods.” Their words and their actions do not match, and when times get a little tough, their good intentions melt away, and they forget that they have chosen God.