July 7, 2023

Choose whom you will serve. 

Joshua 24

Lydia Volz
Friday's Devo

July 7, 2023

Friday's Devo

July 7, 2023

Friday's Devo

July 7, 2023

Friday's Devo

July 7, 2023

Big Idea

God's definition of success is faithfulness.

Key Verse | Joshua 24:13-15

"'I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.' Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes 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."

Joshua 24

The Covenant Renewal at Shechem

1 Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel. And they presented themselves before God. 2 And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Long ago, your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates, 1 24:2 Hebrew the River Terah, the father of Abraham and of Nahor; and they served other gods. 3 Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River 2 24:3 That is, the Euphrates; also verses 14, 15 and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many. I gave him Isaac. 4 And to Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. And I gave Esau the hill country of Seir to possess, but Jacob and his children went down to Egypt. 5 And I sent Moses and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt with what I did in the midst of it, and afterward I brought you out.

6 ‘Then I brought your fathers out of Egypt, and you came to the sea. And the Egyptians pursued your fathers with chariots and horsemen to the Red Sea. 7 And when they cried to the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians and made the sea come upon them and cover them; and your eyes saw what I did in Egypt. And you lived in the wilderness a long time. 8 Then I brought you to the land of the Amorites, who lived on the other side of the Jordan. They fought with you, and I gave them into your hand, and you took possession of their land, and I destroyed them before you. 9 Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel. And he sent and invited Balaam the son of Beor to curse you, 10 but I would not listen to Balaam. Indeed, he blessed you. So I delivered you out of his hand. 11 And you went over the Jordan and came to Jericho, and the leaders of Jericho fought against you, and also the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Girgashites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And I gave them into your hand. 12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drove them out before you, the two kings of the Amorites; it was not by your sword or by your bow. 13 I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.’

Choose Whom You Will Serve

14 Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes 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.”

16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods, 17 for it is the LORD our God who brought us and our fathers up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight and preserved us in all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the LORD, for he is our God.”

19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.” 24 And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and put in place statutes and rules for them at Shechem. 26 And Joshua wrote these words in the Book of the Law of God. And he took a large stone and set it up there under the terebinth that was by the sanctuary of the LORD. 27 And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD that he spoke to us. Therefore it shall be a witness against you, lest you deal falsely with your God.” 28 So Joshua sent the people away, every man to his inheritance.

Joshua's Death and Burial

29 After these things Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being 110 years old. 30 And they buried him in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash.

31 Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the LORD did for Israel.

32 As for the bones of Joseph, which the people of Israel brought up from Egypt, they buried them at Shechem, in the piece of land that Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of money. 3 24:32 Hebrew for a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value It became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.

33 And Eleazar the son of Aaron died, and they buried him at Gibeah, the town of Phinehas his son, which had been given him in the hill country of Ephraim.

Footnotes

[1] 24:2 Hebrew the River
[2] 24:3 That is, the Euphrates; also verses 14, 15
[3] 24:32 Hebrew for a hundred qesitah; a unit of money of unknown value

"How do we interpret Joshua 24:19?"

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Dive Deeper | Joshua 24

The book of Joshua ends with Israel's renewal of the covenant God has made with them. Just a reminder—a covenant is a promise made by two partners who work together to reach a common goal. It is different from a contract because it is relational and personal. Speaking through Joshua, God walks His people through each covenant, promise, and act of deliverance, starting with Abraham. Because the Israelites (just like us) are pretty forgetful, God needs to remind them what He has done for them—that HE gave them the land of Canaan by His power alone, not by anything they have done.

Joshua then gives them a choice: Whom are they going to worship? Whom are they going to follow? He responds with the well-known verse, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15b) The Israelites answer resoundingly, "[W]e also will serve the Lord." The renewal of the covenant is so important here, because it is a reminder of the faithfulness of God. It is a reminder that Israel has dedicated EXCLUSIVE allegiance to Him.

For believers today, our allegiances and idols may look different. We aren't tempted to serve the gods of the Amorites, but we might be tempted to serve the gods of social media, the gods of busyness, or the gods of professional sports. Just like the Old Testament Israelites, we need to renew our covenant with God. We are a forgetful people. If we don't constantly remind ourselves of God's faithfulness, we quickly turn to the quick fix of the "gods" mentioned above. And they will never satisfy.

But God has provided for us everything we need (2 Peter 1:3; Philippians 4:19). But how do we trust Him? Well, the Bible is FULL of God's love and character. The more we read, pray, and spend time with Him, the more we will grow to trust Him. Sometimes the discipline of obedience comes before faith. But obedience always produces faith.

This month's memory verse

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

– James 3:17

Discussion Questions

1. What are idols or distractions in your life that keep you from spending time with God? How can you discipline yourself to eliminate those things?

2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to see God's plan and provision?

3. How can you practice gratitude in all circumstances?

4. What are ways you can remind yourself daily and live in light of your covenant relationship with God ?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

HS

Hugh Stephenson

In a recent class the question was asked about why God permits evil? The answer came back- He does not permit evil. He permits choice. We CHOOSE evil, (Romans 3:23). God has laid the plan out very clearly; the result will be life in a type of paradise; The Land of Milk and Honey. https://www.gotquestions.org/Israel-milk-honey.html This is no small promise. The entire nation of Israel was dependent on agriculture. So, the promise of this type was extraordinary. Essentially, a lifetime of material provision. And the signal to a life in eternity with God. IF… But it's only going to happen if I choose it. And if I choose it there is a question of whether I can keep it. On my own will...I have zero chance. It is only in obedient surrender that I am able. Coming out of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 Benjamin Franklin was asked: “…Well Doctor what have we got a republic or a monarchy?” “A republic”, replied the Doctor “if you can keep it.” So this leads me to a place of reflection on the message God sends to me at the completion of The Conquest. It’s not actually completed. There is plenty of dispossessing and possessing left to do. The land is still not as pure as it’s supposed to be. The idol worshipers and apostates are still in Canaan in numbers that are not insignificant. And Shechem? Shechem is an interesting place for covenant renewal. It’s a very particular place known to represent both man’s sinfulness and God’s faithfulness. https://www.gotquestions.org/Shechem-in-the-Bible.html
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Despite leading well by example Joshua seems concerned that perhaps the Israelites slipping away from God is not far away. Even so, his leadership, wisdom, and close intimacy with God is unquestioned. In 24:2 he says, “Thus says the LORD…” confirming his status as the successor to Moses In 24:9 he is called “…the servant of the LORD…” just as Moses was at the end of his life. In 24:12 God describes how He did all the heavy lifting, “And I sent the hornets before you, which drove them out before you…” So why are there still Canaanites in the land? Choice. In 24:24-25 the people state their choice. THREE TIMES But if they’re like me they’re going to waffle. And waffle they do. And for the same reason. I think I can do it on my own.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

From the notes- “Therefore Joshua reminded them of the difficulties involved in following the LORD (vv. 19-20). They would not be able to serve the LORD in their own strength: simply by determining to do so using their will power (cf. Exodus 19:8). They would always have to remember that their God was holy and jealous (i.e., allowing no rival god in His peoples' affections). He would not forgive your transgressions or your sins (v. 19).” "When does God not spare (forgive)? (1) When transgression and sin is wilfully [sic] committed, and when (2) forgiveness would, as He foresees, lead to no amendment." Thus the era of Joshua came to a close. This period of Israel's history was its greatest so far. This generation of Israelites had followed the LORD more faithfully than their fathers—though not 100 percent faithfully. Consequently they experienced God's blessing more greatly than the previous generation or the many generations that followed theirs did. "After Joshua, the history of Israel goes downhill [until David]. Joshua 24 thus marks the high point of Israel's history, the full realization of her identity as people of God."
MS

Michael Sisson

Re: Jos 24:32 Jos 24:32 (NASB) Now >>>they buried the bones of Joseph<<<, which the sons of Israel brought up from Egypt, >>>at Shechem, in the piece of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor<<< the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of money; and they became the inheritance of Joseph's sons. See Gen 33:19; Gen 50:24-25; Ex 13:19; Jn 4:5; Acts 7:16; Heb 11:22.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thanks Lydia! V. 15 is so powerful: "CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE . . ." I really appreciated this quote in Dr. C's notes: “So we find throughout the entire book of Joshua an emphasis on choice—choice that makes a tremendous difference in history, for individuals, for groups, for future generations.” And this is at the crux of the biggest problem most people have with trusting God: why He allows bad things to happen. And it's all about CHOICE. Love (and really, all relationship) is only possible when we can CHOOSE to love or not love. The gift of choice, as dangerous as it is, is necessary for us to love God back. And that gift of choice triggered every single thing we hate about life in a fallen world--because everything we hate about life in a fallen world is due to someone's bad choice.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. Championships can be an idol for me. I have better discipline not to idolize championships when I see and work at championships and life like God. 2. In life, I understand God has plans and provisions for all of us. 3. I can practice gratitude in everything if I practice God’s values in everything. 4. Studying the Bible and referencing scripture can remind me daily of my relationship and my covenant with God.
MS

Michael Scaman

Shechem was a historic place in the life of Abraham where he first got the promise of the land. It is also between the mountains of curses Mt Ebal and blessings Mt Garazim where Joshua built an altar on the mount of curses, Mt Ebal and image here https://holylandphotos.org/userfiles/images/ICHMMG07_400(1).jpg They are trying thigns back to the covenant of Abraham and obeying and listening to God.