Geoff Hohneck
The Ten Commandments
The Lord Calls for a Response
Joshua 24:1-28
21 May 2017

When the Israelites entered the promised land, there was a danger of them becoming complacent toward God, or adopting Canaanite practices. So before they enter, Joshua gives them a charge to follow God wholeheartedly, and nothing else.

A call for contemplation (v. 1 - 13). We naturally drift from God because of our nature. So Joshua calls the people to remember all God has done, and is yet doing for them. Remembering how he has blessed us invigorates the soul. It is a call to contemplate God's power and presence. Since He has saved us, and forever forgiven us of our sins, how can we be hesitant to identify with God and be content in Him? We must remember that God's grace has a claim on us.

A call to commitment (v. 14 - 15). Joshua challenges the people with a command to "fear the Lord" by destroying all competing gods. The true God is to be served alone. We are to serve God in sincerity and truth (1 Cor. 6:19 - 20). It is also a challenge with a choice. If not serving the true God, we will inevitably serve some foolish human philosophy. The challenge is also to lead by example. Like Joshua, our lives are to display devotion to God.

A commitment to serve (v. 16 - 28). Although the people resolved the follow Yahweh (v. 16 - 18), Joshua gives them a stern reminder that God is not interested in half-hearted or mere emotional decisions (v. 19 - 20). God desires our complete faithfulness, and nothing else. The people's reaction was to affirm their devotion to God (v. 21 - 28), and Joshua led them in a public confession where they vowed to serve Him.

Joshua's charge, "choose this day whom you will serve," is applicable today. There is no fence-sitting between God and the world: we can serve only one.