In Joshua chapter 24, Joshua is in the twilight of his life, Joshua in chapter 24 is different when compared to Joshua in chapter 1. In Chapter 1 Joshua is getting instructions because he is taking over where Moses left off, now in chapter 24 Joshua has gotten the people together to give them instructions before he goes on to glory.
Joshua has gathered all the Elders, Heads, Judges, and officers of the Tribes of Israel at Shechem to make a covenant. Shechem is a special place, it is one of the places Joseph received when the he was favored in Egypt. The Israelites lost that land then gained it back.
Joshua calling all the officials to a place for a covenant was similar to a tradition that the Hittites did when they had a new King or Vassal in place and that was to make a covenant. This ceremony was performed so that all parties could agree on how things were supposed to be going forward. Joshua is talking to the people after the conquests, but before they start to settle in the land.
I can see Joshua, like a parent in the parking lot of the store, turning the ignition off, unbuckling their seatbelt, and turning around to the kids in the backseat. “Hey before we go in this store, don’t ask for nothing, don’t touch nothing, behave, act like you got some home training and some common sense.” Parents set the expectation for the behavior before they go into the store. Why, because the parents know their children, they know how they act, and are having this conversation so there can be an understanding. If the kids don’t want to act right once they get in the store, they shouldn’t be surprised about what happens next when they act out.
Joshua stopped at Shechem with all the people to get them on the same page and set the expectations for the Israelites, why, because Joshua knew the Israelites, he knew how they acted, just like a parent knows his children, and wanted to make sure that they were not surprised by what happens next if they went into the promised land acting up. .
Joshua knew how the people had been acting. They have a track record ; In the past, the Israelites had been worshiping other gods. The people of God (big G) had other gods (little g) in their lives and worshiped them. Some of it was from socialization, they lived in areas and were around people who worshiped different gods and took on those religions, some had married people from other nations and took on their gods. The point is that over time, the Hebrew people in the text had allowed other things to come between them and God. They let things come between them and God and the things that came between them became their gods.
Did you know that research says that the biggest predictor of future behavior is past behavior? I don’t see them instantly turning away from God, I’m sure it happened over time, little by little. Subtleties like, “Oh, I really don’t feel like studying the scripture today I will do it tomorrow,” then tomorrow comes and goes, days turn into weeks, and months and even years. Or… I think I’m going to miss worship this Sunday, then the Sunday’s just begin to pile up.
I think I’m going to not pray today, then they pile up and before you know it, your prayer life is nonexistent, and people can’t tell the difference between you and a non-believer.
It is not about trying to be perfect, but good or bad, a series of small decisions add up, don’t they? Whether it is skimping out on the job, or not being as attentive in a relationship, or not being diligent in your health things add up over time. Time passed with the people of God and I can see over time as I read the Bible, they had gotten away from serving Jehovah Jireh, the one who provided for them.
This is not new, when we look at the Bible as early as Abraham there were surrounding religions and some of them swayed believers to the them. The Book of Judges tells us that there were Hebrew people worshiping other gods, influenced by those people around them.
So…In Joshua 24 verses 2-13 Joshua speaks on the people worshiping other gods, and he speaks on what God has done for them, which is why he wants them to renew their covenant like they did at Mount Sinai. Now look, we know, there are people who can smile in your face, say they are with you and support you but when you are not around betray you and not lose a wink of sleep about it.
Unfortunately, The people of God were saying all the right things Joshua wanted to make sure they weren’t just agreeing with no intention of following through. So, he gathered all the people together to offer them guidance and try to get things straight one more time.
Joshua says in verse one of Chapter 24, "thus says the Lord." Whenever you take something on, new old, big, or small, it is best to start with God. Not thus says the GOP, or thus says the DNC, not thus says who you voted for, not thus says your job, not thus says your friends, not thus says your social status, not thus says your achievements, thus says the Lord.
Joshua’s declaration was letting them that this message was from God and not just from Joshua. And it was letting them know the right way to start something. Remember what thus says the Lord. So, if you can’t put God first in everything you do, what good is it?
Only what you do for God will last. That is why the songwriter said they would trust in the Lord until they die, that is why Solomon said to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. We have to bring God back into everything we do and not make what we do into our own gods.
Gather the right people around you. Joshua gathered the Elders, Judges, heads, and officers of the tribes of Israel together to make sure everyone was on the same page. Being influenced by the wrong people is why the people strayed in the first place. Joshua is telling the people to decide today who you really want to serve, don’t play with it! But actually make a decision and act on it. Live life for glory of God, choose whom you will serve.
The people remembered what God has done for them, and we should remember what God has done for you and me. Has he been a doctor in the sick room for you? A lawyer in the courtroom
Have exclusive loyalty to God. Choose today exactly who you will serve. Joshua was telling them no if’s, ands, nor buts, you need to decide today who you really serve. Joshua says as for me and my house we will serve the Lord\ .
We all slip up and need reminders from time to time of what God has done. There is still time to turn to God, if you have breath in your lungs and life in your body there is still time to choose the Lord. But we all have a choice to make, each and every day. Thanks be to God that his mercies and grace are new every morning, Amen? This biblical story about Joshua reminding the Israelites about their relationship with God can help us think about our own relationships with God and Christ. A lifetime commitment to Christ is desirable, the part of that which matters is where we are in that commitment day by day.
You see …While some of us may have received Christ and never looked back, never thought about it ever again, others may have had to rethink and recommit to Christ at different points throughout our lives. And that’s ok!
It’s not to say they "backslid" in faith, but rather that, as maturing in both thinking processes and life experience occurred, there are moments when we have to examine our faith commitment and ask ourselves, "Do I still affirm this?" or "Can I commit to what I now understand of Christ's call?" And as we did so and decided yes, we emerged with a commitment better suited to deal with the challenges of both daily living and the occasional crises that come to most of us.
Jesus said, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62), which in some ways is like the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament story from Joshua. But it's usually not looking back that's happening when we are rethinking our faith commitment, but rather looking ahead and asking if that which we have embraced by faith will be sufficient to carry us as we move forward. You may think you don’t deserve to turn back to God but God’s grace means that you don’t get what you actually deserve for your actions.
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