Joshua 24:1-31
After giving his guidance and wisdom to the leaders of Israel, Joshua called all the people together for some final words. In most situations like this, where a leader is leaving for whatever reason, he or she will give some words of encouragement, tell everyone how much they'll be missed, perhaps even what a good job they've done. But, as we're all well aware by now, this group was special, so they needed a little something extra.
Given their on again-off again history with obedience to God, Joshua took the time to remind the Israelites, specifically of all he had done for them. He started way back at Abraham's father, Terah, speaking of how they worshiped other gods, but through Abraham, they were delivered from that. He talked about how he was made the father of many nations through Isaac, and eventually Jacob and Esau. He reviewed how Jacob's descendants, who had migrated to Egypt, were delivered from oppression there by Moses and Aaron. Then, how they finally made it out of the wilderness and to the land they were promised. Joshua highlighted how God drove out all their enemies before them - even causing some of them to bless them - and made them victorious in battle.
To be sure that they did not take these things for granted, Joshua pointed out how the land they live on, they had never planted or plowed; and the food they ate, they had not grown. God had provided it all for them; sure, he provided some input and effort on their part, but he was really the one who had done all the work. That being the case, Joshua told them to make their choice, right then and there.
He told them to either choose God, or idols and false gods. It was totally up to them. They were familiar with both. Their ancestors had worshiped the false gods; they had dabbled in it every now and then. But they also knew the only true and living God; the one who had saved them and kept them and provided for them in ways none of those other gods could. Joshua stated, in no uncertain terms, that he and his family would serve the Lord.
With that all the people declared that they would serve God, of course. Now even their memories were refreshed of his goodness and mercy toward them. They recalled very clearly how he freed them from Egypt and defeated their enemies, the Amorites, as they entered their Promised Land. They were excited about serving God, and God alone.
But Joshua knew exactly to whom he was speaking, so he also issued a warning to the stiff-necked bunch. He knew they wouldn't last long before their devotion grew stale and the allure of other gods and religions lured them away. Or, perhaps, some difficult time would come and they would convince themselves that God had abandoned them, and so abandon him. So he warned them that if they did that, turn away from God, he would turn away from them. That would not only mean ceasing to bless them further, but also destroying the blessings he had already bestowed. (I hear Exodus 20:2-6)
But they insisted, their choice was made. They would serve the Lord! So Joshua told them to put their money where their mouths were - so to speak - and get rid of all their idols (yep, they still had them) and really devote themselves to worshiping God alone. He even made a monument as a reminder of their agreement (as was the case with most covenants during that time). With that, Joshua sent them all away and he died in peace in the land he was given.
God, you have reminded us - of all the wonderful and wondrous things you have done for us. You have warned us - of the consequences of forsaking your love and following the lusts of the world. You have given us a choice today; one choice for the rest of our lives. So today, like many days before, including that first one so many years ago, I choose you. I choose to worship only you; serve only you; love only you as my God. Be a constant reminder for me; establish your Holy Spirit in my life as a monument to our covenant through Jesus. Open my eyes when I blindly wander away from you. Continue to draw nigh unto me as I draw nigh unto you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
After giving his guidance and wisdom to the leaders of Israel, Joshua called all the people together for some final words. In most situations like this, where a leader is leaving for whatever reason, he or she will give some words of encouragement, tell everyone how much they'll be missed, perhaps even what a good job they've done. But, as we're all well aware by now, this group was special, so they needed a little something extra.
Given their on again-off again history with obedience to God, Joshua took the time to remind the Israelites, specifically of all he had done for them. He started way back at Abraham's father, Terah, speaking of how they worshiped other gods, but through Abraham, they were delivered from that. He talked about how he was made the father of many nations through Isaac, and eventually Jacob and Esau. He reviewed how Jacob's descendants, who had migrated to Egypt, were delivered from oppression there by Moses and Aaron. Then, how they finally made it out of the wilderness and to the land they were promised. Joshua highlighted how God drove out all their enemies before them - even causing some of them to bless them - and made them victorious in battle.
To be sure that they did not take these things for granted, Joshua pointed out how the land they live on, they had never planted or plowed; and the food they ate, they had not grown. God had provided it all for them; sure, he provided some input and effort on their part, but he was really the one who had done all the work. That being the case, Joshua told them to make their choice, right then and there.
He told them to either choose God, or idols and false gods. It was totally up to them. They were familiar with both. Their ancestors had worshiped the false gods; they had dabbled in it every now and then. But they also knew the only true and living God; the one who had saved them and kept them and provided for them in ways none of those other gods could. Joshua stated, in no uncertain terms, that he and his family would serve the Lord.
With that all the people declared that they would serve God, of course. Now even their memories were refreshed of his goodness and mercy toward them. They recalled very clearly how he freed them from Egypt and defeated their enemies, the Amorites, as they entered their Promised Land. They were excited about serving God, and God alone.
But Joshua knew exactly to whom he was speaking, so he also issued a warning to the stiff-necked bunch. He knew they wouldn't last long before their devotion grew stale and the allure of other gods and religions lured them away. Or, perhaps, some difficult time would come and they would convince themselves that God had abandoned them, and so abandon him. So he warned them that if they did that, turn away from God, he would turn away from them. That would not only mean ceasing to bless them further, but also destroying the blessings he had already bestowed. (I hear Exodus 20:2-6)
But they insisted, their choice was made. They would serve the Lord! So Joshua told them to put their money where their mouths were - so to speak - and get rid of all their idols (yep, they still had them) and really devote themselves to worshiping God alone. He even made a monument as a reminder of their agreement (as was the case with most covenants during that time). With that, Joshua sent them all away and he died in peace in the land he was given.
God, you have reminded us - of all the wonderful and wondrous things you have done for us. You have warned us - of the consequences of forsaking your love and following the lusts of the world. You have given us a choice today; one choice for the rest of our lives. So today, like many days before, including that first one so many years ago, I choose you. I choose to worship only you; serve only you; love only you as my God. Be a constant reminder for me; establish your Holy Spirit in my life as a monument to our covenant through Jesus. Open my eyes when I blindly wander away from you. Continue to draw nigh unto me as I draw nigh unto you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading! Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.