Me And My House Serve The LORD

Good leadership is essential to the well-being of everyone following that leadership. As we look around us, and particularly look at the political landscape in our country, we find that there are too few good leaders. In Joshua 24:18–27, Joshua had come to the end of his leadership of Israel. He was concerned about Israel’s future after he was no longer their leader. So, as his last public act, he had Israel renew their covenant with God, to follow and obey Him instead of the idols of Canaan. I pray that each of us would renew daily, our commitment to follow God and not the idols of this world. And that we would lead those in our household and under our influence to do likewise. Amen.

And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God. ”

Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” (Joshua 24:18-20)

In his last public address to the nation of Israel, Joshua began by recalling for them what God had done to bring them out of bondage in Egypt and into their own land. Joshua told them that given all that God had done for Israel that his allegiance was clear, he and his household would serve the LORD (see verse 15). Joshua challenged the people’s obedience and faithfulness to serve a Holy God. The people responded that they would serve the LORD because “He is our God”. Joshua pointed out that God is not only holy, but He is also jealous. God doesn’t want anyone worshiping other gods. Joshua told them that to do so would show ingratitude toward God who had been so good to them and God would in turn bring disaster upon Israel.

But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”

Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.”

“Yes, we are witnesses, ” they replied.

“Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”

And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.” (Joshua 24:21-24)

The people‘s response to Joshua was emphatic, saying that they would not serve foreign gods, but that they would serve the LORD. Joshua knew that many in Israel had begun worshiping the gods of the Canaanites. So, not fully convinced by their response that they would serve the LORD, Joshua told them to throw away the foreign gods that they had been worshiping and turn their hearts back to God. This would be an outward demonstration of an inward change. Notably, this is the place (Shechem) where, centuries before, Jacob had called on his family to destroy their idols. Once again, the people affirmed that they would serve the LORD.

On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD.

“See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” (Joshua 24:25-27)

Given the people’s response, Joshua had them enter into covenant renewal with God. He had them reaffirm that they would be obedient to the decrees and laws God had given Israel to follow. And Joshua recorded this event in the Book of God’s Law. To further memorialize the covenant, He took a large stone and inscribed it with the covenant as a physical reminder and a public witness to the covenant agreement that they entered into with God in that place. This was Joshua’s last public act.

Conclusion

As Joshua was coming to the end of his public life, he felt the need to bring Israel together to ensure that their future was strong. As the one who had led them, under God‘s direction, into the Promised Land and through many battles, he was Israel’s revered leader. As such, he was able to assemble them together one last time and challenge them to renew their covenant to worship and obey to God and to throw away their idols. Doing so, would ensure their future prosperity and avoid disaster. Joshua began by demonstrating his own commitment as their leader, to serving God (Joshua 24:15):

“choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

As a result of his Godly leadership, and his commitment to God, Joshua was able to lead Israel to renew their covenant with God. I urge you to examine all the situations where you are in leadership or positions of influence. Do those who follow you, know the blessings you have received from God and that you are committed to serving Him?‍ ‍When you make sure they do…. you help them decide to serve Him and know His blessings too!

Blessings, Rev. Glenn

Praise the LORD, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. ~ Psalm 103:2-5