Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
“So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15 NLT)
Observation
Perhaps that noted theologian/musician Bob Dylan said it best—“You gotta serve somebody.”
Joshua has grown old and knows that his transition into eternity is not far off. So he calls together the Israelites to remind them of the God they serve and how He—that God—has honored them with His blessings over the generations. And Joshua issues to these Israelites the opportunity to affirm again their covenant agreement with Jehovah.
There’s probably a good challenge there for us, for at each significant point in Israel’s history they do not “presume” their covenant engagement, but rehearse it and re-affirm it. At Sinai, again on the banks of the Jordan before entering Canaan, again once a foothold was established inside the borders of Canaan, and now again here, as Joshua knows his days of leadership are coming to a close. So, too, from season to season in a life of faith—though we may speak of one day in history when we came to know the Lord—it wouldn’t be unwise to affirm that covenant relationship again and again.
And Joshua lays out the choices plainly enough—the idols your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates…the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live…or the God who brought you out of Egypt and “has fought for you against your enemies” (23:3, see also 24:2-13).
So it’s time (again) to choose. “Serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve.”
Whatever you do, at least be honest about it. “But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14-15 NLT)
2 comments:
Didn’t divine anger fall on the entire community of Israel when Achan, a member of the clan of Zerah, sinned by stealing the things set apart for the Lord[b]? He was not the only one who died because of his sin.”
This verse stuck out today (I'm a day behind!) It is good for me to remember that MY sins don't just effect me............. Bad choices hurt our loved ones, friends, neighbors..... Sin is selfish.
I just wanted to say that this is my favorite verse in scripture. There is something very empowering about saying "But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." It is a take no prisoners statement about one's Faith. A Do what you want but, I am standing solid on the side of our Lord and Saviour.Glen H
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